Chapter Twenty Three.
A Hurricane.
As soon as the anchor was dropped and the sails furled, I conveyed my passengers on shore, that I might see them comfortably lodged as soon as possible. I had offered to supply them with funds, but Monsieur de Villereine, thanking me cordially, assured me that he was well known to several merchants in Bridgetown, and that he should have no difficulty in obtaining money.
“I should be very thankful, however, if you could convey us to Saint Lucia, as we should prefer sailing in your ship to any other,” he observed; “and as I am well known to your consignees, I may, perhaps, arrange the matter with them.” I of course replied that I should be truly glad if this could be done, though I could not venture on my own responsibility to go there.
“Oh, but my uncle will easily manage it,” observed Emilie, “so we will consider it settled. I should not like to trust my dear brother on board any other ship.”
Sophie seemed inclined to speak, but hesitated: though the glance she gave me, I fancied, showed that she hoped I would not decline.
“Oh, you must come, Laurel,” said Henri. “My father will, I am sure, be glad to pay any expenses of extra insurance and that sort of thing, so that the interest of your owners will not suffer.”
Having seen my friends lodged at a comfortable hotel, I had to return on board to attend to my duties connected with the ship.
I lost no time in discharging my cargo, and was not sorry to find that there would be some delay before the sugar and other produce I was to receive in return would be ready.