"Now we will have a tumbler of hot brandy and water," the captain said. "You have had a cold drive.
"What will you take, ladies?"
Both declared that they wanted nothing but to get to bed, and they at once retired to the after cabin with little Louis, who had slept without waking, ever since he had been lifted from his bed at Bordeaux. The captain had given orders, as soon as he came on board, to have the sails hoisted and, as Monsieur Flambard and Leigh sipped their grog, they had the satisfaction of hearing the water rippling past; and of feeling, by the heel of the boat, that there was sufficient wind to send them along at a good rate.
"What is she making, captain?" Leigh asked, as he went up to take a last look round.
"About five knots, but the wind is getting up. There was scarcely a breath when I turned in, at ten o'clock."
"How far do you call it to the mouth of the river?"
"It is about forty miles to the tower of Cordouan. Once past that, we reckon we are at sea."
"Eight hours going, at five knots. It is nearly twelve now. It will be daylight when we get there."
"I hope that we shall be there before that, sir. You have not allowed for the tide, nor for the wind increasing. I reckon we shall be there by six, and day does not begin to break till an hour later.
"I want to get past without being seen. There are always a couple of gunboats lying there. I fancy that they know us pretty well by this time, but sometimes as we go out they make us lie to, and come on board to see that we are not taking off suspected persons, and that any passengers we have tally with those on the manifest. If they should take it into their heads to do that in the morning, it would be awkward; and I am anxious to get past without being seen. Once out of gunshot I do not mind. I fancy that we can show our heels to either of the gunboats."