“We’re not quite within range of the mounseers’ popguns yet,” observed the boatswain, with a laugh. “They must come closer before they can harm us.”
“Do you think we can beat them off?” asked Rayner.
“You may be very sure that we’ll try pretty hard to do so,” answered the boatswain, in a confident tone. “I’ve heard of your doings aboard the Thisbe. We’ll show you that the crew of the Ione are made of the same stuff.”
As the two Frenchmen drew nearer, the desire of the British sailors to fight increased, and it was with a feeling of almost bitter disappointment, just as the Ione had fired her stern chasers, that the enemy were seen to haul their tacks aboard, in answer, apparently, to the signals made by the ships astern.
The general opinion was that the British fleet had appeared to the eastward. Whether or not this was the case it was impossible to say.
The Ione continued her course, and in a short time ran the enemy out of sight. On her arrival at Gibraltar, the first intelligence Mr Saltwell received was that he had been promoted to the rank of commander.
The very next day two ships came in from the fleet with despatches, which the Ione was directed to carry immediately to England.
As they were both short of hands, much to Captain Martin’s annoyance, a considerable number of his men were drafted on board them. Had other ships come in, he would probably have lost many more. The Ione sailed immediately with the remainder, and he hoped that they would form the nucleus of a new crew for the Thisbe.
The Ione had a quick passage to Plymouth. On his arrival there, much to his disappointment, Captain Martin found that the Thisbe was not yet ready for sea.
Rayner was considering how to dispose of himself during the intermediate time. He did not expect that Mrs Crofton would offer him a room, but he wished, at all events, to pay her and Mary a visit, as they had always shown so friendly a feeling towards him. When, however, she heard how he was situated, she insisted that he should take up his quarters with them.