The foreigners, perceiving that the Englishman was on an errand of peace, gathered about the case, and soon discovered from the stencilled inscription that it at any rate pretended to come from Cognac. "Goddam," said the little red-capped Frenchman who had first discovered them. "Cognac! I spik English--brandee, Por'smout', Lon-don!" Jones made signs that he presented the case to them. "I ain't above makin' a concession or two," he remarked confidentially to the French captain; "but if I'd listened to my lot on board, it would 'ave been blood up to the neck." The Frenchman shook his head. "You bet it would 'ave bin," said Jones earnestly, "but what d'ye say to 'avin' a drink? Billy, gimme your knife." And with it he started opening the case, while the Frenchmen's eyes gleamed in pleasing anticipation. They had not had a drink for weeks. And as they carried the case down to the ship with Jones and their own captain in the rear, they concluded that the English were not such bad chaps after all. "But where's my man 'Art!" asked Jones, when he came to the French camp. "'Ere I be," cried Hart, who was lashed hard and fast to a round rock. "Lord, captain, but I've 'ad a time. Can't you cut me adrift, sir?" Jones shook his head. "You interferin' galoot, it serves you right. And as for that, the 'ole crew's under arrest, where I put 'em for mut'ny, and I don't see as I should so pick and choose among 'em as to use my hinfluence to 'ave you let go. At any rate, bide a bit, and I'll see." For it was obvious that the drinking was going to begin. The French captain served the liquor out in a small glass to every one, and presently some of his melancholy disappeared. He gave an order to one of his men who brought two more glasses, one for the English captain, and one for himself. "I looks towards you," said Jones. "À votre santé," cried the Frenchman. "Monsieur, vous êtes un homme de coeur quand mêne." "I don't savvy, but I dessay you means well," said the captain. "Now, if I'd thought to bring along the signal book we might 'ave 'ad quite a talk. But time enough; I dessay afore we're took off I shall patter your lingo like blazes. Shall I cut my man loose there?" He pointed to Hart, and though two of the Frenchmen, who had black eyes, remonstrated against the deed of mercy, Hart was unlashed and given a drink. "Here's to you, old cocklywax," said Hart, with a scrape of his leg. "I bears no grudge, not me." And very soon the French and English skippers were talking to each other at the rate of knots, while Hart sat in a crowd of Frenchmen and told them all about everything. It was close on sundown when Jones returned to the _Potluck_. He had to be helped up the side by some of the crew. "Ain't we under arrest?" they asked. "Does we dare come out?" Jones hiccupped. "I releases you on your own recognition," he said. "So down you come and 'elp." When he put his foot on the deck, he mustered all hands aft.