The wind had changed! When they came in sight of the sea these stormy straits were specked with ships liberated from their prison, with white wings spread, and impatient feet, making their way out to the ocean. Cold and shrill, with its whistle of ungracious breath, the gale hissed with them through the narrow tunnels; pennons fluttering to the west--bowsprits pointed seaward, clouds flying on the same cold track, and as much as these an increase of cold, an acrid contradiction of the sunshine, bewrayed the east wind which drove invalids to their chambers, but carried ships down channel. Often before had Sir John Armitage anathematized the east wind--perhaps he never cursed it in his heart till now, as he watched with envious impatience a large vessel covered with sail making her way out of the Downs. "That's her for a wager!" said Sir John to himself; "the very thing they'd send troops in--a round, shapeless, horrid old hulk, warranted the worst sailer on the station. To be sure!--there she goes, bobbing like an apple in a posset--ugh, you ugly old beast!--couldn't you have waited another day?" "Eh?--you were speaking--what's the matter, Armitage?" said the Colonel, roused by the sound. "Nothing," said Sir John. To tell the truth, he did not feel himself quite the hero of the position at this moment; he did not care to disclose his fears until hope was proved vain; perhaps, after all, that was not the "Prince Regent"--perhaps the officers were still not aboard, or some happy accident had prevented her from taking the earliest advantage of the change of wind. The baronet dragged his companion along with him to the "Ship" before he would suffer him to ask any questions. There the obsequious attendants who received the strangers were startled by the impatient outcry and gesture, almost wild, of the excited baronet. "The 'Prince Regent,' lying in the Downs, with troops on board for the Cape--who can tell me if she has sailed?" This inquiry was somewhat startling to the innkeeper and his vassals. "We can send and see," suggested timidly one of the waiters, "directly, sir." Sir John rushed out again, and started off almost at a run towards the pier. "Sailed two hours ago," said a "seafaring" individual, of questionable looks, who stood on the steps of the hotel smoking his cigar. "Hallo there! sailed two hours ago, I tell you--d'ye think you can make up to her, hey? I'd back you against the precious old tub if you're in that mind--but she's got the start, look you, by two hours--all sail and a fresh wind!"