"We're off to France the day after tomorrow, Mr. Boldrigg," announced Stratton, after he had related the circumstances under which the Olivette had been taken to Weymouth and back again. "We're hoping to go right up to Paris, and perhaps we may get a chance of seeing some of the battlefields."
"Don't I wish I were a-comin' with ye, Master Peter," said the old man wistfully. "My boy, Jim—him as was a corporal—lies out yonder. I'd like to see his grave, but travellin' costs a sight o' money, an' I'm no hand at speaking the Frenchies' lingo. I'd be all adrift if I found myself over t'other side, I'm thinkin'."
"Haven't you been to France, Mr. Boldrigg?" asked Roche.
"Ay, sure," was the reply. "When I was in the old Aldebran on the Mediterranean Station back in the 'nineties I was ashore at Toulon. Things were a bit different to what they are now. We'd just had a bit of a tiff with Johnny Crapaud, an' he was still feeling a bit sore over it. We of the lower deck kept ourselves to ourselves, in a manner o' speaking, and didn't have no truck with the French bluejackets. That was long afore the 'Intent Cordyal', or whatever they calls it, came along. Are you taking Bruin with you?"
Peter shook his head.
"We can't, unfortunately. We'll miss him, but it cannot be helped. Well, we must be getting on board, Mr. Boldrigg, so we'll wish you 'Good night'."
Early next morning the task of provisioning and preparing the Olivette for her voyage was resumed, and so quickly did the work progress that by noon everything was in readiness.
Suddenly Mr. Armitage, who had been consulting charts, navigation books, and tide tables, made an unexpected declaration.
"The wind's light and the glass steady," he observed. "I think it's a pity not to take advantage of the favourable weather conditions; so it would be advisable to make a start this evening. To my mind it is better to arrive off a strange coast soon after daybreak than just before sunset. It gives one a better chance of getting into harbour, especially as the mornings at this time of the year are generally calm. The wind, if you notice, usually pipes up about noon."
This announcement was greeted with cheers.