“Ta donc! He will never be a scholar. Ta donc! Young Robbie must go to sea!”
So when “Bobbie” was well he was shipped aboard the brig Heron, bound for Cadiz, Spain—and he was only just thirteen. But he threw up his cap crying,
“This is just what I’ve always wanted. Hurrah for the salty brine!”
At about twenty years of age we find him upon the good ship Aurora from which his dive into the Indian Ocean came near being his last splash. And the Portuguese Lieutenant did not forget.
Upon the next visit of the cruiser Aurora to the coast of Africa an epidemic of malarial fever struck the crew. Among those who succumbed to the disease was the Portuguese Lieutenant. He was dangerously ill.
The ship arrived at the island of Mauritius, and, Lieutenant Robert Surcouf was just going ashore, when he received a message which said:
“Come and see me. I am very ill.” It was from his enemy,—the Portuguese.
Surcouf did not like the idea, but after thinking the matter over, he went. But note this,—he had a pair of loaded pistols in his pocket. Dead men—you know—tell no tales.
As he entered the sick man’s cabin, a servant was there. The Portuguese made a sign to him to retire.
“I wish to speak to you with a sincere heart,” said he, turning his face to young Surcouf. “Before I pass from this world I want to relieve my conscience, and ask your forgiveness for all the evil which I have wished you during our voyages together.”