"Stand by to cast loose and provide those guns," I said, holding the Bat up a few points so as to lessen our speed. "Arm all hands," I added.
We were a fair bit less than one-third the size of the vessel we were nearing, and I saw that the men cast rather furtive glances at her as they set about obeying orders.
"Men," I said, "we do not intend to fight that vessel. I just wish to speak to her; but be ready."
"If fight we must, why, fight we will," said Dugan, with a grin.
I called down into the cabin.
"Mr. Middleton," I said, "you can get your baggage, sir. I judge we will soon part company."
In ten minutes we were almost within hailing distance, and the old gentleman came on deck, followed immediately by Mary. Her eyes were red, as if she had been weeping. It required all the strength of will I had to keep my lip from quivering as I raised my hat and wished her a polite good-morning. There was a strange wistful glance that I could not fathom that she threw at me, and then she turned her head aside. I had donned the uniform of my unknown namesake, and leaning against the lee shrouds, I raised my voice and hallooed,
"What ship is that?"
"The Lord Lennox, from Quebec to Liverpool. What cutter is that?"
"His Majesty's sloop Bat, from Dublin to Quebec," I answered.