ll
let me pass, or if not, I'll get him to ask the captain to see me. He
cannot eat me, that's one comfort; if he thinks that I am bringing him a
cock-and-bull story, he won't punish me; and I shall at all events have
done my duty."

Bill thought this, and a good deal besides, as he made his way aft till
he arrived at the door of the captain's cabin, where the sentry was
posted.

"Where are you going, boy?" asked the sentry, as Bill in his eagerness
was trying to pass him.

"I want to see the captain," said Bill.

"But does the captain want to see you?" asked the sentry.

"He has not sent for me; but he will when he hears what I have got to
tell him," replied Bill.

"You must speak to one of the lieutenants, or get the midshipman of the
watch to take in your message, if he will do it," said the sentry.

"But they may laugh at me, and not believe what I have got to say,"
urged Bill. "Do let me pass,--the captain won't blame you, I am sure of
that."

The sentry declared that it was his duty not to allow any one to pass.

While Bill was still pleading with him, the door of the inner cabin was
opened, and the captain himself came out, prepared to go on deck.

"What do you want, boy?" he asked, seeing Bill.

"Please, sir, I have got something to tell you which you ought to know,"
said Bill, pulling off his hat.

"Let me hear it then," said the captain.

"Please, sir, it will take some time. You may have some questions to
ask," answered Bill.

On this the captain stepped back a few paces, out of earshot of the
sentry.

"What is it, boy?" he asked; "you seem to have some matter of importance
to communicate."

Bill then told him how he came to be among the prisoners, and had heard
the American captain and his men talking together, and proposing to get
the Frenchmen to rise with them to overpower the British crew.

Captain Waring's countenance showed that he felt very much disposed to
disbelieve what Bill had told him, or rather, to fancy that Bill was
mistaken.

"Stay there;" he said, and he went to the door of the cabin which he had
allowed the American skipper to occupy.

The berth was empty! He came back and cross-questioned Bill further.
Re-entering the inner cabin, he found the French captain seated at the
table.

"Monsieur Saint Julien," he said; "are you cognisant of the intention of
the American captain to try and overpower my crew?"

"The proposal was made to me, I confess, but I refuse