“What’s to be done,” said Lieutenant Thornton, looking up anxiously, “for I know you cannot stay on this coast so long? You are already several days over your time.”
“I think we can manage it very easily,” said O’Loughlin. “I must sail and join Colpoys as directed; but I can put the Vengeance to rights in four hours; and leave you fifteen men and young Burdett. Four men and the second mate will run the brig to Portsmouth easily enough. There’s not a craft on the coast can come near the Vengeance for speed; her bottom has not been injured, and she spreads more canvas now than before. If Vice-Admiral Colpoys is still off Isle Dieu, I shall be able, on stating the circumstances, to get leave to return and render you any aid you may require; I can be back, if no untoward event occurs, in three days.”
“Nothing can be better,” said Lieutenant Thornton, joyfully. “The Vengeance has some of her guns on board, but no stores.”
“Never mind that, I can give you plenty; we have only to step your mizen-mast, and put you some ammunition and provisions on board, and you will do famously. If Jean Plessis fails, which I trust he will not, you must sail for England, report yourself, and you will be made a commander, mark my words. This success in cutting out the Vengeance will make a noise. I will just give orders to run farther off the coast, so that our proceedings may not be observed.”
On ascending upon deck, they perceived that it would soon be dawn, with a fresh breeze off shore, so making a signal to the Vengeance and the brig, they stood out to sea, and just as the sun rose they were beyond observation from the land.
Sending a party of men on board the Vengeance, Captain O’Loughlin and our hero followed. The brig, with the second mate and four men, in half-an-hour was under weigh for Portsmouth, and young Burdett remained with our hero.
On examining the Vengeance in the broad daylight, they were surprised at her size and accommodation. She was nearly as long as the corvette, with more beam in proportion. They could perceive by the new work where the fire had ceased its ravages. She had suffered more in her spars and rigging and sails than in her hull. Her cabin was large and fitted up for hard service, more attention being paid to its affording accommodation to the numerous officers generally on board privateers, all messing together, than with any pretensions to elegance. The main cabin was the principal store room; it was at this time full of odds and ends—ropes, blocks, muskets, pistols, pikes, and every kind of privateering material, all in confusion. She was above two hundred tons burden, and carried immense spars.
In three hours everything was altered; the mizen-mast was stepped, the disordered and bloody deck washed, the rigging set up, and the cabin put into ship-shape. Two eight-pounders, and two long eighteen-pound carronades were placed ready for service; the rest of her guns were in her hold, and there they were left, fifteen men being too few to work any more than were on deck. After a few more arrangements had been completed, and the two friends had finally matured their plans, Master Burdett came on board with Bill Saunders, who was to be first mate, gunner, and to fill several other situations besides. The Commander of the Onyx bade his old comrade and friend farewell.
“If we do not again encounter here, we shall, I trust, meet ere long in England. My time will be soon up; so, dear friend, farewell, and God send you may fall in with those you are so deeply anxious about!”
Charles Pole had also come to bid good-bye, and the three friends parted.