"Monsieur de Sainval," said the captain to one of his officers, "order the gunners to stand by their guns with lighted matches. If this flag of truce conceals a ruse, this ship will be sunk."
De Chemerant and Croustillac felt the same astonishment in recognizing the Chameleon on board of which the mulatto and Blue Beard had embarked.
Croustillac's heart beat as if it would burst; his friends had not abandoned him, they were coming to succor him—but by what means?
Very soon the Chameleon was within speaking distance of the frigate and crossed her stern. A man of tall stature, magnificently dressed, was standing in the stern of the brigantine.
"James!—our duke! there he is!" cried enthusiastically the three peers, who, leaning over the taffrail of the frigate, at once recognized the duke.
The brigantine then lay to; the two ships remained immovable.
Lord Mortimer, Lord Dudley and Lord Rothsay gave vent to cries of the wildest joy at the sight of the Duke of Monmouth.
"James! our brave duke!—to see you—to see you again at last!"
"Is it possible? you are the Duke of Monmouth, my lord?" cried De Chemerant.
"Yes, I am James of Monmouth," said the duke, "as is proved by the joyful acclamations of my friends."