"And now," said the captain, "what to do? You are the master, it seems. Run in, I suppose?"
"No, wait a little, Captain. If, when I say what I want done, it seems to you unreasonable, I shall give it up. Get a bit nearer; beat about; hoist our own flag. They will want to understand, and will send a boat out. Then we shall see."
"I can do that, but every hour is full of risk." Still he obeyed, beginning to comprehend his supercargo and to like the audacity of the game.
Near to six o'clock the bait was taken. A boat put out and drew near with caution. The captain began to enjoy it. "A nibble," he said.
"Give me a boat," said De Courval. "They will not come nearer. There are but five men. I must risk it. Let the men go armed." In ten minutes he was beside the Frenchmen, and seeing a young man in uniform at the tiller, he said in French: "I am from that brig. She is loaded with provisions for this port or San Domingo, late from the States."
"Very well. You are welcome. Run in. The vicomte will take all, and pay well. Foi d'honneur, monsieur; it is all as I say. You are French?"
"Yes; an émigré."
"We like not that, but I will go on board and talk it over."
When on the Marie they went to the cabin with the captains of the two American ships. "And now let us talk," said De Courval. "Who commands here for the republic?"
"Citizen Rochambeau; a good Jacobin, too."