“Though they have escaped us this time, we have shut the rats up in their hole, and they will find it a hard matter to get out again to seek for prey,” observed the captain.
“Can’t we go in and destroy them?” inquired Lancelot of Mr Blake.
“From the information we have received, we judge that it would be a hazardous undertaking,” he answered. “There are castles on either side of the harbour, and the corsairs have thrown up earthworks, armed with heavy guns, for the protection of their ships, so that they would blow us out of the water should we attempt to enter. We must content ourselves with blockading them.”
Such, I afterwards found, was the plan adopted. We stood on and off the land to watch the entrance. The next morning the whole fleet arrived, forming a line from the old head of Kinsale northward, which Prince Rupert, daring as he was, would not, it was believed, attempt to break through. It was somewhat trying work. Night and day a vigilant watch was kept, great care being required so that each ship should maintain her proper position, and that one should not run foul of the other.
According to his promise, Mr Blake took Lancelot, Dick, and me, with Martin Shobbrok, on board the Triumph. The admiral recognised me immediately, and remembered also what he had said to my father.
“Would you wish to remain with me?” he asked. “Should such be your desire, you shall become my cabin boy, and when you have gained a knowledge of navigation and seamanship, you shall, without delay, be made an officer.”
“Such I desire above all things,” I answered, “and I am deeply grateful for the offer.”
“And your friends here,” he continued, looking at Lancelot and Dick. “Were they with us at the siege of Lyme?”
“They were, sir, and we all three worked together to throw up the embankments,” I answered.
“Good! they appear likely lads, and I will watch over their interests, if the Lord spares my life.”