The French lieutenant shrugged his shoulders as he handed his sword to Syd.
“Ah, vous anglais!” he muttered, and then to one of his companions in French—
“It is of no use to try any longer. The men from the English frigate will be ashore directly. But to be beaten by that boy!”
He was quite right. Before an hour had elapsed two well-manned boats from the Sirius was at the landing-place to take possession and charge of the prisoners, while in another hour Syd was standing before his father, giving him an account of all that had been done.
Captain Belton listened almost grimly to his son’s narrative, and when he had finished—
“Well, sir,” said the captain; “and what have you to say for yourself? You went ashore without leave. Of course you will be punished.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Where are Mr Roylance and Mr Terry?”
“Ashore, sir, wounded both.”
“And Mr Dallas badly, I hear. Tut—tut—tut! and I have a terrible array of losses to confront here. Well, you have something else to say?”