od invited me into his
cabin, and forthwith led the way.

I had, on reporting myself, announced to him in general terms the fact
that I had accomplished my mission; now I had of course to enter into
full particulars, and give a detailed narrative of my adventures.

It was a sight to be remembered, to see the skipper open his eyes in
amazement, when I described to him the particulars of my flight from the
island with Count Lorenzo's daughter, winding up with a statement that
she was at that moment on board the brig. He was good enough to
compliment me very highly upon the zeal, courage, and discretion which I
had manifested in the performance of a most important duty, and he also
evinced some little concern respecting my damaged arm,--which, to speak
the truth, was none the better for my experiences on board the
"Mouette,"--sending word there and then for the surgeon to come aft and
give it an overhaul; but I could see that his curiosity was powerfully
excited with regard to Francesca, and, as soon as my disabled limb had
been dressed and made tolerably comfortable, he ordered his own gig to
be lowered, and, requesting my company in the boat, jumped into her and
was conveyed to the brig.

He evidently had as good an eye for a pretty woman as he had for a ship,
and seemed immensely struck with my lady-love, doing his best to render
himself agreeable, and placing the ship and all hands at her disposal.
Francesca, however, young as she was, had a perfect knowledge of "the
proprieties;" she felt out of place on board ship, and clearly
recognised the desirability of at once placing herself under her aunt's
care: she therefore thanked the skipper very gracefully for his generous
offer, and said she would merely trouble him so far as to avail herself
of his aid in making her way to the quarters of her uncle, General
Paoli.

This was a matter involving very little difficulty. The general had
established his head-quarters in a small fishing village, about four
miles from San Fiorenzo, situated on the shore of a tiny cove visible
from the brig's deck; we therefore proceeded in the gig, in the first
place, alongside the "Mouette," where we shipped Francesca's small
packet of personal belongings, and then, taking Giaccomo in the boat
with us, we stepped the mast, hoisted the lug, and ran merrily down
before the wind to the entrance of the cove, landing on the beach in
perfectly smooth water, after rather more than an hour's sa