Signals of distress were hoisted, and as we passed under her stern, we stated we were sinking. With immense difficulty, and by almost incredible exertions with hawsers and barrels, for no boat could live, we were all taken out except nine, who went down with the unfortunate Sanspareil. It was five days after this that the Prudente was encountered by you, Captain O’Loughlin. Determined to be free or perish, I rushed up the rigging, and, thank God! succeeded in reaching this ship in safety. I have now brought, I fear, my tedious narrative, to which you have listened with patience, to a close.” “Well, by Jove, my dear young friend, you have had your share of trials for one so young. Your narrative has greatly interested me, and now that you have finished, I will give you some intelligence that will, I know, gratify you. When the Vengeance foundered, on the 1st of June, in the engagement with Lord Howe’s fleet, the English boats saved many lives. Captain Renaudin was picked up by one boat, and his gallant little son by another. Each thought the other lost, when, to their intense joy, they again met in Portsmouth.” “How rejoiced I am to hear this intelligence!” said Julian Arden, “for a nobler or braver spirit never breathed than Captain Renaudin.” “He has been done justice to, I assure you. Our papers of that time gave the full particulars of the foundering of the Vengeance, and of the father and son’s reunion. The next piece of news I have to tell you is, that not very long ago I saw an article in the _Times_ newspaper, announcing the appointment of a Lieutenant-General Packenham to the command of the garrison at Plymouth, mentioning the gallant services of the general whilst in India. I have no doubt but that this Lieutenant-General Packenham is the same Colonel Packenham you knew.” “I dare say it is,” returned Julian, “and I trust time has not obliterated from Miss Packenham’s mind all memory of my unfortunate self.” “Say fortunate, my dear young friend, for you have been providentially saved during severe trials. Do not, like most lovers absent from their charmers, give way to imaginary evils. ‘Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.’” CHAPTER XXVII.