He added a number of oaths, which are not necessary to be repeated. But Colonel Ashburnham waved his hand, saying, "Silence, sir! I thought I was known by everybody who even pretends to serve the king. I am Colonel Ashburnham, an officer in his service, and I order you, if there be a chance of getting away, to make sail instantly."
"There is no chance," answered the man.
"No, sir; not now," said a seaman, who stood near; "for nothing is ready. If we had not reefed the sails indeed----"
"Well, well," said Colonel Ashburnham, "what must be must be. Where are the Frenchmen?"
"There stands one," said the captain, sullenly, "and the other has gone down below."
"If you have anything to destroy, sir," said the colonel, addressing Barecolt in French, "you had better go and do it at once."
"I have nothing on earth, sir," replied Barecolt, "but a score or two of crowns, a grey doublet, and two shirts--all of which I would sooner destroy on shore than on the water at any time. I have a grand objection to that element in every shape and in every quantity, from a jugful to the Atlantic."
"Your nose vouches for your truth," replied Ashburnham, with a low bow; for he was a man who, notwithstanding the sterner and more devoted points of his character, could understand and appreciate a joke.
"You are right, colonel," replied Barecolt, laying his hand upon his proboscis. "An honest man never fears to bear a witness of his actions about with him."
"Had you not better," said Ashburnham, in a lower tone, "go down and see if you can help your companion?"