ery
fast, and she was now carrying every stitch of canvas she could set.
The _Liffy_ was no laggard, and we pressed after her. The chase was as
exciting as it could well be. Scarcely any of the officers left the
deck, except to take a hurried breakfast, and every glass on board was
in requisition. Now, when the breeze freshened, we appeared to be
gaining on her; now, when it fell, she seemed to draw ahead of us. We
passed between the islands of Saint John and Tortola; we sighted the
east end of Santa Cruz, and then made out the curious conical hill of
Saba, to the north of Saint Eustatia. Noon had passed, and the wind
again freshening, we gained rapidly on the chase. The look-out aloft
hailed that he saw several sail right ahead. It was a question whether
they were English or French. If the latter, the brig might lead us
under their guns, and it was necessary to be cautious. Dubois must have
seen them also, but probably was as uncertain about their character as
we were. He might, after all, be captured should he stand on. At
length he altered his course, and appeared to be making for Saint
Eustatia, and from this it was pretty evident that he took the fleet
ahead to be English. Whether he was right in that respect or not we
could not tell, but he made a mistake in hauling his wind. In another
half hour we got near enough to send a shot, which fell aboard him;
another and another followed, when, letting fly his head sheets, he put
his helm to starboard, and hauled down his colours. We at once hove-to.
A boat was lowered, and I, being able to speak French, was sent with
Mr Harvey to take possession. We were soon alongside. Dubois must
have recognised me when in the boat. As we stepped on deck he and La
Touche advanced, and presented their swords to Mr Harvey, at the same
time each of them made me a very formal bow. I returned it, and said,
as I stepped forward--

"What is the meaning of this, Monsieur Dubois? You have made a gallant
attempt to escape. It's the fortune of war that you have failed; but
why do you treat me as a stranger? I wish to behave towards you as old
friends, and will do all in my power to help you."

"We do not desire the friendship of one who has been guilty of such an
act as you have committed," answered Dubois stiffly.

"What act do you speak of?" I asked, suspecting, however, to what he
alluded.

"You were trusted. You made your escape, and carried off the
despatches,"