“I can imagine that such will be your feelings,” said O’Loughlin, “but I really do not think this war will last long. France is no longer in the state it was; the people and their rulers are wearied of their bloody deeds. There is no danger of life to Madame Coulancourt; the worst that can happen will be confiscation of property; they will not imprison females for so trifling a crime as harbouring an Englishman, for they cannot convict them of attempting to escape; therefore do not look upon the gloomy side of the picture. As soon as day dawns we will set the Vengeance to rights, and do you run her into Portsmouth. I will put young Burdett in command of the brig. She has a valuable cargo, and is a handsome craft, and will no doubt be taken into the service. Burdett has passed his examination, and it will give him a lift.” To this arrangement Lieutenant Thornton consented, with a sigh of regret, some very bitter thoughts troubling his mind. The three vessels were hove to till morning, the friends determining to sit up the remainder of the night conversing. It was yet night, when a man’s voice was heard hailing the ship. Lieutenant Pole called down to our hero to come up, as a small boat from the shore was hailing them. Lieutenant Thornton sprang to his feet with eagerness, and ran up upon deck, followed by Captain O’Loughlin. Our hero beheld a small boat, with a man and a boy in it pulling up alongside. “Well, my man,” said Lieutenant Thornton, addressing him, “do you bring any message from the shore?” “Yes, monsieur, to you, I think,” said the man, “as well as I can see by this light; are you the English officer that was at Château Coulancourt?” “I am, my man,” returned our hero, “jump on board.” “Pardon, monsieur, I cannot delay to do that, for it is a mere piece of luck my seeing your ship, for I could not venture farther out in this crazy craft; here is a parcel and a letter from Monsieur Plessis. I must get back to the shore before daylight, or I shall be suspected.” Lieutenant Thornton eagerly took the packet and the letter, and tossing his purse to the man, containing four or five pounds in French gold coins, he said— “Keep that, mon ami; I wish I had more to give you. Tell Monsieur Plessis that we are all well here.” “Mercie, monsieur,” said the man, pocketing the purse, “I will be sure to tell him; and I wish you well. I am not injuring my country by serving the best mistress the poor of this country ever had,” and without further delay he and the lad took to their oars, and pulled in lustily for the shore. “Come, this is fortunate, my dear friend,” said Captain O’Loughlin, “you will no doubt gain some intelligence of those you are so anxious about.” “I trust I shall,” said Lieutenant Thornton; “come with me to the cabin, Patrick, and I will tell you what Monsieur Jean Plessis says.”