“They were evidently prepared for us,” said our hero; “they suspected that an attack would be made on the privateer. And if they had fastened that chain round the main-mast, and riveted it, we should have had to set her on fire; for the anchor she was fastened to on shore by that ponderous chain was considerably over a ton.”
“Yes, and besides that,” returned the commander of the Onyx, “they evidently mistook the bolt to which they did fasten the chain; for close to it was a bolt that goes right through the main beam, and that we could not have cut out as we did the deck bolt.”
“Had you much resistance on board the brig?”
“No, nothing to talk of; there were but fourteen men in her, and they evidently thought to get clear off during the night.”
They were now close up with the Onyx, and Captain O’Loughlin and Lieutenant Thornton went on board. The commander of the corvette having seen to the care of his wounded, Captain O’Loughlin, our hero, and Lieutenant Pole proceeded to the cabin to obtain some refreshment after their certainly arduous undertaking.
“I tell you what you must do, dear friend,” said O’Loughlin to the thoughtful Lieutenant Thornton, “you had better take the prizes to Portsmouth. You will be made a commander at once. Besides, Mr. Stanmore is most anxious for your return to England; he told me there would not be the slightest difficulty in asserting your claims to the name and property of the late lamented Sir Oscar de Bracy. The document signed by my generous benefactor, and his will, being so very satisfactory.”
Our hero did not reply for a moment, for in truth he was greatly distressed in mind.
“If I followed the bent of my mind, Patrick,” he said, rousing himself from his sombre thoughts, “I should go ashore and endeavour to gain some intelligence of those so dear to me, and who no doubt are experiencing intense anxiety, for they must have heard the firing at Coulancourt, and guessed the cause of it. I do really think it possible I might escape detection.”
“Then upon my conscience I do not,” said Captain O’Loughlin, “you would surely lose your life. The captain of the Vengeance has escaped, you say; believe me he would sacrifice his life to take yours. Let me advise you to go to England. It is really your duty to do so. They may not be so badly off at the château as you imagine. Young Julian Arden is a fine high-spirited fellow; he will watch over their safety.”
“I will take your advice, O’Loughlin,” said our hero, gloomily, “because, as you say, it is my duty to do so, and to serve my country as long as this war lasts; but I shall do so with a heavy heart.”