CHAPTER VI.
Now it came to pass at the end of the first day that they saw the Trent in the Bermudas, even in the channel.
Then the brave captain sent on board Lieutenant Fairfax,—which in the Norse tongue is Harfager or Fair-Haired; since it runneth in the family to be sea-kings, and brave on the ocean.
And he, mounting the ship, cried aloud, 'Where are they?'
Then the Englishman replied, 'I know not whom ye seek,—lo, they are not here!'
Then he, seeing Mason a little apart, cried, 'Lo! here he is.'
And Mason, hearing this, turned to the color of ashes; his knees smote together; he became even as a boiled turkey-cock; there was no soul left in him.
Yea, even his collar wilted, and the stock of his heart went down ninety-five per cent.
Howbeit he said, with Slidell, 'We will not go save we be forced.'
'Then' replied Fairfax, 'I shall take you by force.'
So they held a council together, and resolved to go.
But their wives and little ones they sent on to Europe, and gave instructions to poor Eustis.
Bidding him go in when it should rain, and be sure and put up his umbrella if he had one.
Likewise to bear certain documents promptly and speedily to the kings and princes;
Which Wilkes hearing, he speedily smashed, taking poor Eustis with the papers.
This was the end of the Council of Trent. It was not that great council of the name, but a very small one, and which came to nothing—small potatoes, and few in a hill. Selah!