"You will be very clever. I wish I could learn how to effect ends in the same way," were Nelson's closing words, as, saluting the people on the deck of the _Aurora_ once more, he stepped back and disappeared, followed by a storm of cheers from the men of the _Aurora_, in which the Admiral and Captain Acton heartily joined, whilst Lucy flourished her pocket-handkerchief, though her hero was out of sight. CHAPTER XVI THE CAPTURE At breakfast, which was necessarily delayed on board the _Aurora_, the conversation, as may be supposed, was almost entirely concerned with undoubtedly the most memorable incident--the meeting with Nelson--in the lives of Captain Acton and Sir William. The _Aurora_ had hauled out of the Fleet with a dipping flag, and with wings eagerly straining to the breath of the strengthening blue breeze that gushed with a tropic warmth over the little seas which creamed and purred in heads that would easily grow spiteful and change their fountain-like music into a harsh hissing as of serpents, was heading as true a course as Captain Weaver could imagine for the barque that Captain Acton wanted. Nelson's reference to Mr Lawrence's brilliant action was going to prove an overwhelming memory to the Admiral. "When I think, sir," he exclaimed, as they breakfasted, "what a few syllables of applause signify in the mouth of such a man as the hero of the Nile, I feel as if I could spring overboard and drown myself when I reflect that my unhappy son quitted the glorious Service under ignoble circumstances, and that by remaining he might have come under the command of Nelson, and gained the splendid renown which scarce a sea officer who has served under that great man but has won." "I for one should not need to meet Lord Nelson and hear him speak of your son to fully agree in what you say, Sir William," said Lucy. Her father looked at her with a questioning gaze, but made no remark. Nearly all the talk at that breakfast table was about Nelson and his ships and his pursuit of Villeneuve, but shortly before the three arose the conversation had been deflected by a remark of Lucy, on which the Admiral said: "If this breeze holds we shall be heaving the _Minorca_ into sight the day after to-morrow, or at latest the following day. There can be no doubt that the schooner is fair in her wake. The _Whitby_ brig seems to have steered a straight course from her to us; and now, sir, Lord Nelson's remark comes home: we are unarmed. The barque carries four guns with which she can pelt us without our being able to make a reply. If she wings us she will escape, and since she will very well know who we are that are in pursuit of her, is my son likely to proceed to Rio? Will he not take advantage of our being crippled to shift his course, and go away to some place, unconjecturable by us, where he will be able to communicate with his scoundrel friend at Rio and the Don with the long name who is to have the management of the nefarious business?"