I saw that the brig was riding at single anchor and hove short, and I expected that Dubois was waiting for an opportunity of slipping out of the harbour before the frigate was prepared to follow him. That she would do so, should the brig be discovered to be an English vessel, a prize to the French, there could be no doubt, unless detained by some matter of more importance.
After breakfast we walked the deck for some time, and then Dubois ordered La Touche to take a boat and pull round the harbour.
“See as you pass yonder frigate there, how she’s riding,” he said; “whether she appears to be ready to put to sea, and learn, if you can ascertain, what brought her in here. I wouldn’t have come in had I known that we should have found so unpleasant a neighbour.”
“Do you know what frigate she is?” he asked, turning to me.
“As I can’t see her hull clearly, were I perfectly acquainted with her I should be unable to answer your questions, monsieur,” I replied.
“Well, then, favour me by going aloft with my telescope, and you’ll then, by looking down on her deck, be able to tell me whether you recognise any of those on board, or have to your knowledge seen the frigate before.”
From his manner I believed he had not an idea that I suspected the frigate to be the Liffy.
I willingly agreed; and, taking the glass, went aloft. All my doubts were at an end. I at once made out Captain Macnamara walking the starboard side of the quarter-deck with Mr Saunders. On the opposite side, I distinguished several of my messmates by their figures. Some of the men were forward, but the greater number were below, and I could see no signs of any intentions of getting under way. I waited a considerable time, and heartily I wished for a pair of wings, that I might fly over the masts of the other vessels, and pitch down on her deck. No sight could have been more tantalising. I descended at last, and returning the telescope to Dubois, said—
“I confess frankly that I know the frigate. She is the one to which I belong.”
“Is she a fast vessel?” inquired Dubois.