ll, don't take a lateener; they're fine craft when they have
a full crew aboard as knows how to handle 'em, but they're dreadful
awkward for one hand. You'll find some little things about five-and-
twenty foot over all; they're plenty large enough, and some of 'em are
regular leg-o'-mutton-rigged--a big sail for'ard and a jigger aft; they
sail like witches, and'll go right in the wind's eye. Look out for one
of them chaps; one man can handle 'em in any weather. And now I must be
off. Good-bye, my lad, and good luck to ye."

So saying, he shook hands, and, plunging into the shrubbery,
disappeared.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

BETRAYED INTO THE HANDS OF THE PHILISTINES.

I was now fairly embarked upon my adventure, the various difficulties of
which seemed suddenly to present themselves to my mind in all their
formidable reality. While safe on board the frigate, surrounded by my
shipmates, they had appeared to be the veriest trifles, scarcely worth a
serious thought; but now that I stood alone in an enemy's country, with
nothing to depend upon but my own sagacity and nerve, I saw in an
instant--as though the truth had been revealed by a lightning-flash--
that I had indeed undertaken a task, the successful performance of which
would tax to their utmost extent every one of the qualities for which
the skipper had given me credit.

However, I was now irretrievably in for it; there was no possibility of
backing out, had I been ever so inclined--but I was not; I would have
died first--so pulling myself together, and conquering by a strong
effort a curious quaky sensation which had for a moment oppressed me, I
set out upon my journey.

The spot to which I was bound was a chateau situated about eighteen
miles inland, in the very heart of the mountain district. It was the
property of Count Lorenzo Paoli, the brother of the General Paoli who,
at the head of the Corsican insurgents, was then endeavouring to drive
the French out of the island. My despatches--or whatever they were--
were for Count Lorenzo; and though I was of course unacquainted with
their contents, I surmised that they had relation to some probable
assistance to be rendered by the English to the Corsicans. Under
ordinary circumstances my mission would have been extremely easy of
accomplishment; but, as I have already remarked, the island was in a
thoroughly unsettled state, almost every male inhabitant being in arms.

The French, irritated by the rising of th