"I am beginning to be of your opinion; but I say, wasn't that old cormorant of a governor tough?"
"Not very," Michael replied with a laugh, "besides, he had no choice; he was obliged to give in, whether he liked it or not."
As had been arranged, the lugger stood off and on from the island during the whole night, at a distance of from four to five leagues from the coast.
At sunrise, they steered directly for St. Marguerite.
The breeze had lulled nearer shore, so that it occupied some time ere the light vessel reached the species of port serving as a landing place in front of the castle.
The lugger drew too much water for it to be possible to run alongside the quay; hence it lay to a short distance off; and Nicaud had a boat lowered, while Michael went down into the cabin to warn the Major.
The latter was awake; refreshed and rested by sleep, he was no longer the same man, he now regarded his position in its true light, and understood that the means offered him to escape from the disagreeable position in which he was placed by his double treachery, was more advantageous than otherwise for him.
It was almost with a smile that he wished Michael good day, and he made no difficulty about accepting the hand the sailor offered to him.
"Well," he asked him, "whereabouts are we, Michael?"
"We have arrived, Major."