Prince William, whose rosy face instantly grew a picture of woe, nevertheless made his way aloft with much greater alacrity than he had made his station. The men grinned slyly at each other, and a midshipman behind the Admiral made a motion as if to pat him on the back. Archy opened his eyes wide—this was discipline, indeed.
Presently the Admiral passed near him. Archy saluted him respectfully, and hoped the Admiral would speak to him, and was not disappointed.
"I hear that you and young Langton have found yourselves to be first cousins, Mr. Baskerville," he said.
"Yes, sir; and the best of friends we were from the day we met."
"You have had considerable experience as a prisoner on British ships, eh? First, on the Seahorse, then on the Thunderer, and now on the Royal George."
"I have always been well treated, sir. That is, if I wasn't well treated in the beginning, I was in the end."
"That speaks well for you, sir. It is sometimes difficult to get our young officers to treat Americans with respect; but I, among others—notably Admiral Keppel—have always insisted that they be accorded all the consideration of prisoners of war, even before the late formal agreement was made."
"I, for one, will remember it with gratitude, sir. But, may I say to you, sir, that since our conversation this afternoon I have been reflecting upon my circumstances, and I think my chances of exchange will be better at Gibraltar than if I were to be returned to England, as you kindly offered. No doubt the Spaniards will soon raise the siege, and then I can easily get to France on my parole."
"No doubt—no doubt—the Spaniards must soon give it up, and you would probably be nearer your object."
The Spaniards were never farther from giving it up than at the very moment these words were uttered.