That Granger was at his place was evident a moment later, when, from the gun-deck of the frigate, there poured forth a broadside that, as it struck the privateer, sent her keeling over to her larboard side. Then, as she recovered herself and the _Mignonne_ came round on the wind, another broadside belched forth. "That has done it," cried Geoffrey. "Fire no more. She will sink in ten minutes. Lower away there to save as many as may be. They are taking to the water already." However many might be taking to the water, as he said, it was certain that none would escape in the privateer's boats. For now she lay over so much that it was impossible any such should be lowered from her; and that she would founder in a few moments, sucking down with her everything in the immediate neighbourhood, was not to be doubted. There remained nothing, consequently, but for those in the ship to throw themselves into the sea and to take their chance of either being picked up by the _Mignonne's_ boats, or of being engulfed by the sinking vessel, or--which was equally likely--have the breath beaten out of them by the waves that ran mountains high. Of such who were picked up at last, there were only three--one, a young man, who swam towards the _Mignonne's_ boats with all the vigour of despair; the others being two middle-aged men. As for the privateer herself, she was gone for ever, leaving behind her no traces except a flag tossed on the water, some floating barrels, and a few coops full of drowned fowls. "Bring brandy," cried Sir Geoffrey, as these men were carried over the side of the _Mignonne_, more dead than alive, and with one alone, the sturdy swimmer, still conscious. "Bring brandy, and pour it down their throats. They must not die. They can tell much, and tell they shall." Then, to his astonishment, the mam who had swam so stoutly--the youngest of the three--opened his eyes and looked up at him, saying in English-- "What is it you would have us tell?" "First," said Sir Geoffrey, "what was the name of that privateer? Next, how you, an Englishman; came in her? You, an Englishman, in a French ship at such a time! Man, do you know what may be your fate?" "The privateer was _La Baleine_, of Dunkirk. As for myself and scores of others, we were not there willingly. We were bound for the colonies, and taken out of a schooner called the _Amarynth_ some months ago, and kept----" "The _Amarynth_," said a voice--deep and low as ever--in Sir Geoffrey's ear, "was the right name of the _Nederland_." "Great heaven!" said Sir Geoffrey, turning round suddenly on Granger, and himself speaking in a whisper now, so that the officers and men who were about should not hear him. "Great heaven! The _Nederland!_ The ship that carried that scoundrel who, had he had his will, would have placed Ariadne and Anne in her." "Ay," replied Granger, "if he had had his will. He who would have kidnapped them and me."