"I suppose we need scarcely expect his blessing on our efforts," said Humbert, with a hearty laugh. "What is he saying now?—what is he looking at?"
"He says we are now in the very best anchorage of the bay," said Conolly, "and that on the whole coast there's not a safer spot."
A brief consultation now took place between the general and the naval officers, and in a few seconds the word was given to take in all sail, and anchor.
"I wish I could speak to that honest fellow myself," said Humbert, as he stood watching the fisherman, who with a peasant's curiosity had now approached the mast, and was passing his fingers across the blades of the cutlasses, as they stood in the sword rack.
"Sharp enough for the English, eh?" cried Humbert, in French, but with a gesture that seemed at once intelligible. A dry nod of the head gave assent to the remark.
"If I understand him aright," said Humbert, in a half whisper to Conolly, "we are as little expected by our friends as by our enemies; and that there is little or no force in arms among the Irish."
"There are plenty ready to fight, he says, sir, but none accustomed to discipline."
A gesture, half contemptuous, was all Humbert's reply, and he now turned away and walked the deck alone and in silence. Meanwhile the bustle and movements of the crew continued, and soon the great ships, stripped of their white sails, lay tranquilly at anchor in a sea without a ripple.
"A boat is coming out from the shore, general," whispered the lieutenant on duty.
"Ask the fisherman if he knows it."