the ships of the
Slave Squadron to stop and examine the papers of _every_ ship
encountered in those waters, and I was certain that Peters would not be
likely to make an exception in our favour; while, if Leroy resisted, as,
of course, he would--well, it would simply mean that _La Mouette_ would
be captured.

Meanwhile Leroy and Marcel were eagerly consulting together, and
presently the second mate left the poop, went forward, and quietly
called all hands. Then, as soon as the crew were all on deck, they were
ordered to clear for action, the guns were cast loose, the magazine
opened, and powder and shot were passed up on deck; the arms' chests
were brought up, cutlasses and pistols were served out--a brace of the
latter to each man; pistols and muskets were loaded, pikes cast adrift
and distributed, and, in short, every preparation was made for a fight,
except that the guns were not then loaded. The second mate had been the
moving spirit in all these preparations, Leroy, meanwhile, remaining on
the poop and intently watching the schooner through the telescope.

By the time that the preparations for battle were complete it was close
upon seven bells, and the order was given for the crew to get breakfast,
and for that meal to be also served in the cabin. A few minutes later
the steward came along with a pot of cocoa in one hand and a covered
dish in the other, and Leroy, coming aft to where I stood moodily
pondering, thrust his hand under my arm and said, with all apparent
good-nature:

"Now, don't sulk, _mon cher_, but come down and have some breakfast.
Unless I am greatly mistaken the _Gadfly_ is about to send us her boats,
and then you may perhaps be able to return in them. But do not build
too much upon the chance, for as soon as they come within range I shall
open fire upon them with round and grape; and if we cannot sink them
before they get alongside, why, we shall deserve to be hanged, that's
all."

"Thank you, monsieur," I answered, "but I have no appetite for breakfast
just now, and, with your permission, will remain on deck rather than go
into that suffocating cabin, merely to watch you and Marcel eat."

"_Eh, bien_! as you please," he returned, with a shrug of the shoulders.
"I will not ask you to keep a look-out for me, because I can do that
quite well from the windows of the captain's cabin; and," looking round,
"I do not think you can do any mischief up here. You are sure you will
not come down?