party on
the quarter-deck, and especially toward a grey-haired man in uniform,
whom I imagined might be the skipper. I advanced toward the party, with
a bow, and said, in French:

"I wish to speak to the captain of this vessel: may I ask if he happens
to be among you?"

The old gentleman in uniform at once advanced a pace and, acknowledging
my salute by raising his gold-laced cap, answered:

"I am he. And I demand to know, monsieur, by what right you and your
crew of ruffians have dared to run aboard me in this outrageous fashion,
driving my crew below, stationing a guard athwart my decks, and
frightening my passengers very nearly out of their senses. Are you
pirates, or what?"

"Monsieur," answered I, "there is nothing to be gained by attempting to
deceive you, and I will therefore at once say that I fear you will find
that you have fallen into the hands of pirates. The big man beside me
is their captain, while I, and a young lady aboard the brig, have the
misfortune to be their prisoners. I shall probably not be afforded an
opportunity to explain to you the unfortunate situation of the young
lady and myself; but as soon as I became aware of the intention of these
men to board you I prepared a letter which will explain everything--it
is unfortunately written in English, but that, I am sure, will prove no
obstacle to you. This letter I will presently endeavour to pass,
unobserved, to one of you; and if you will kindly act in accordance with
the request set forth therein, you will very greatly oblige two most
unhappy people."

"Monsieur," said the Frenchman, "I will gladly do anything in my power
to help you; but as to effecting your rescue--" he glanced expressively
at O'Gorman and his companions, and shrugged his shoulders in a way that
very clearly indicated his helplessness.

Here O'Gorman cut in. "Well, what has the ould chap got to say for
himsilf?" he demanded.

"Why," answered I, "you heard what he said. He wants to know what we
mean by boarding his ship in this outrageous fashion and driving his
crew below."

"Ask him what is the name of his ship, where he is from, and where bound
to," ordered the Irishman.

I put the questions; and the skipper answered:

"This is the _Marie Renaud_, of and from Marseilles, for Bourbon, with a
general cargo."

I translated, turning to O'Gorman--and slightly away from the group of
Frenchmen--to do so; and while I was speaking a hand touched mine--which
I