Monsieur Plessis, who knew his character, had agreed, for a large sum, that he should either put them on board the Vengeance or a British vessel, or, failing in this, to land them on the English coast. At a late hour the ladies retired to rest in the large and well-arranged cabin.
Julian Arden and Jean Plessis continued on deck, extremely anxious, for the mist was so thick that the navigation of the river became critical; but Captain Bonafoux, who was quite at home in either clear or foggy weather, assured them he was steering a straight course out to sea, though he feared small progress could be made till sun-rise, and such was the case; for when the sun rose, and the breeze with it, and the fog lifted, he found he was only a mile off the port. He was startled on perceiving the Etoile privateer away to their right, and, some four miles to seaward, they caught sight of the Vengeance; they did not, however, see the frigate Virginie.
Hoisting the red flag, the signal agreed upon, Captain Bonafoux bore away. As he did so, the Etoile put her helm up and slacked her sheets, in pursuit.
“That craft,” said Julian Arden, “has evidently been watching for us. I wish to heavens I was on board the Vengeance, for I am sure there will be a fight between that vessel and the Vengeance; what is she called?”
“That is the Etoile privateer, Captain Obet,” replied the skipper of the Ca-Ira; “but in this light wind I can outsail her. She is a very fine craft, but a dull sailer in light winds; she is under-masted. Mon Dieu!” he exclaimed, “look here,” pointing seaward; “there is the Virginie frigate, crowding sail, and heading as near as she can lie for the coast.”
“Keep up the red flag, at all events,” said Julian, greatly excited, “and stand to meet the Vengeance, she sees us.”
The hoisting of additional sail, the trampling of feet, and consequent bustle attending a chase, roused the females below from their slight slumbers, and, being intensely anxious, they were soon dressed and on deck.
Mabel, taking Julian’s arm, eagerly questioned him as to which was the Vengeance, for she at once perceived there was some new danger to apprehend.
“There is the Vengeance, dear Mabel,” replied Julian; “I wish I was on board her, and beside my gallant friend. That is the Etoile privateer following us; William will surely fight her, to stop her pursuit.”
“Ah,” said Mabel, “that he will. Look! that ship is full of men; I wonder if William has as many on board the Vengeance? She is coming towards us; what a handsome vessel she is!” and her heart beat with painful anxiety as she spoke.