tunate ones."

"But how on earth have you managed to pass right through France?"

"I was detained three months at Toulon, sir, and there was allowed to buy
some French books. I was then a month on the way to Verdun, and five
months there. During that time I practised French incessantly, and picked
up enough to pass muster. At last, thanks to a French girl, I succeeded in
getting a disguise and climbing over the wall, and passed through France
as a pedlar with wares made by the prisoners."

"Come with me to the captain's cabin. He will, I am sure, be glad to hear
your story. How were you captured?"

"In the attack the _Tartar_ made on a battery on one of the Isles d'Hyeres
I was shot through the leg and left behind in the retreat."

"Yes, I heard of that affair, and a most unfortunate one it was. You
caught it hot there, and no mistake!"

The captain listened to the story with great interest, and then said:
"Well, Mr. Gilmore, I congratulate you very heartily on getting out of
that terrible prison. I am rather short of officers, and will rate you as
midshipman until I have an opportunity of sending you home. I have no
doubt your brother officers will manage to rig you out."

The lieutenant went out with Will and introduced him to the officers of
the ship, to whom he had again to tell the tale of his adventure. "Now
come down below to our berth," the senior midshipman said, "and we will
see what we can do to rig you out. We lost one of our number the other
day, and I have no doubt the purser's clerk will let you take what you
require out of his kit if you give him a bill on your paymaster."

Fortunately the clothes fitted Will, so he took over the whole of the
effects, as there was sufficient standing to his account on the _Tartar_
to pay for them, in addition to the pay that would accrue during the time
of his captivity.

He learned that they were on their way to the Texel, where they were to
cruise backwards and forwards to watch the flotilla of boats that Napoleon
was accumulating there for the invasion of England. It was arduous work,
for the heavy fogs rendered it necessary to use the greatest caution, as
there were many dangerous shoals and currents in the vicinity.

One dark night, when they thought that they were in deep water, the ship
grounded suddenly. The tide was running out, and though they did
everything in their power they could not get her off.

"If we have but another couple of hours," the fir