il, captain dear, an' be off out of this."

"O, no," said Zac; "we've got to wait for the others."

"Wait--is it?" said Terry.

"Yes."

"Sure, thin, an' there's a sail out beyant. Ye can't see it now, but
ye'll see it soon, for it's been batin' up to the land all the
mornin'."

"A sail!" exclaimed Zac.

"Yis; an' it's a Frinchman--so it is; an' big enough for a dozen of
the likes of us."

Further inquiry elicited the startling information that early in the
morning Terry had seen, far away in the horizon, a large ship, which
had passed backward and forward while beating up towards the land
against a head wind, and was just now concealed behind a promontory
on the south. At this Zac felt that his situation was a serious one,
and he had to decide what to do. To hoist sail and venture forth to
sea would be to discover himself, and lay himself open to certain
capture; while to remain where he was gave him the chance of being
overlooked. So he decided to remain, and trust to luck. Once, indeed,
he thought of going ashore once more, but this thought was at once
dismissed. On shore he would be lost. The woods were full of his
enemies, and he could hardly hope to reach any English settlement. To
himself alone the chance was but slight, while for Margot it was
impossible. To leave her now was not to be thought of, and besides,
the schooner was the only hope for Claude, who might still be in the
neighborhood. The consequence was, that Zac decided to do nothing but
remain here and meet his fate, whatever that might be.

Scarcely had he come to this decision, when a sight met his eyes out
beyond the southern promontory, where his gaze had been turned.
There, moving majestically along the sea, he saw a large frigate. It
was not more than a mile away. For about a quarter of an hour the
ship sailed along, and Zac was just beginning to hope that he had not
been seen, when suddenly she came to, and a boat was lowered.

"She sees us!" said Terry.

Zac made no reply.

Yes; there was no doubt of it. They had been seen. Those on board the
ship had been keeping a sharp lookout, and had detected the outline
of the schooner sharply defined against the light limestone rock of
the headland near which she lay. To escape was not to be thought of.
The boat was coming towards them, filled with armed men. Zac stood
quite overwhelmed with dejection; and thus he stood as the Parson was
boarded and seized by the lieutenant of his French ma