Bill briefly described how the Foxhound had blown up, and the way in which they had been taken on board a French fishing-vessel, and their various adventures on shore.
“That’s curious enough,” observed the lieutenant, “for we have on board the frigate most of those who escaped.”
The officer, who was the third lieutenant of the frigate, had learned the greater part of their history by the time the boat got up to her.
He and most of the crew quickly climbed on board, followed by the boys.
The falls were hooked on, and the boat hoisted up.
Whom should Jack and Bill see standing on the deck, and issuing his orders to the crew to “brace round the yards,” but Mr Saltwell, the first lieutenant of their former ship.
They stood for some minutes by themselves, for everybody was too much engaged to attend to them. The frigate’s head was now turned in the direction of the stranger they had seen to the eastward, towards which they observed that the glasses of several of the officers were directed.
“Though she has not shown her colours, I feel positive that she’s French,” observed the captain to Mr Saltwell.
“I hope that you are right, sir,” was the answer; “but we shall scarcely get up to her before dark.”
“We shall get near enough to make the private signal,” said the captain, “and if she does not answer it we shall know how to treat her when we do get up to her.”