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 In 3 vols, post 8i»o., price 51s. 6d. 
 
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 THE 
 
 FRIGATE AND THE LUGGEE. 
 
 A NAUTICAL ROMANCE. 
 
 IN THEEE VOLUMES. 
 
 By F. C. ARMSTRONG. 
 
 AUTHOR OF "the TWO MIDSHIPMEN." " THE MEDORA." " THE 
 CRUISE or THE DARING." " THE LILY OF DEVON." &C. 
 
 VOL. L 
 
 Uoiilion: 
 T. CAUTLEY NEWBY, PUBLISHER, 
 
 30, WELBECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. 
 
 1861. 
 
 {_The Right oj Translation is Re3e?'ved.2
 
 ^^5 
 
 THE 
 
 FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER, 
 
 CM 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 o The war with France had just commenced. 
 Vice- Admiral Lord Hood hoisted his flag on 
 board the Victory, of one hundred guns; and, 
 with the English fleet under his command, sailed 
 from Spithead. 
 
 Amongst the many midshipmen on board the 
 Victory, were two youths, who will occupy pro- 
 minent places in our story; — one, William 
 Thornton, our intended hero, was at this period 
 
 ^ between sixteen and seventeen years of age, and 
 
 VOL. I. B
 
 2 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 was known on board the Victory as the Ad- 
 miral's protegee. He was a high-spirited and 
 generous youth, and had, thus early in life, 
 distinguished himself on several occasions; and 
 was a general favourite; but all that was known 
 of his parentage was, that his supposed father had 
 been formerly Lord Hood's favourite coxswain, 
 and that the Admiral had taken him on board the 
 Victory as one of his midshipmen. Henry 
 Howard Etherton, the other, the younger son of 
 a wealthy baronet, was nearly two years older 
 than William Thornton, but unlike him in every 
 respect, except, perhaps, in personal appearance. 
 He was well-looking, tall, and of gentlemanly 
 manners; he had served two years in another 
 ship, had been four years the schoolfellow of 
 William Thornton, and when he left the school, 
 which he did before William, it was with a feel- 
 ing of bitter hatred against his schoolfellow, and 
 for no better reason than that he excelled him 
 in mental acquirements, and bodily exercises. 
 
 The meeting of the two youths on board the 
 Victory was a surprise to both.
 
 THE FillGATE AND THE LUGGER, 3 
 
 William Thornton was, as we have said, a 
 general favourite, but especially with a fine 
 young fellow, named Saunders, a top-man, whose 
 life he had saved under very trying circum- 
 stances. 
 
 Howard Etherton took especial care to circu- 
 late all he knew of young Thornton's antecedents. 
 He stated that he passed at school as the son 
 of Lord Hood's coxswain; but it was doubt- 
 ful whose son he was; some one had paid his 
 schooling and other expenses munificently; but 
 that it was too bad, to have as a comrade in the 
 midshipmen's berth, one of so doubtful, at all 
 events, of so low an origin. 
 
 Only some of Howard's cronies and toadies 
 listened to these spiteful stories; the officers, 
 perhaps, heard, but gave no heed to them, for 
 the young midshipman was a noble-looking boy, 
 singularly powerful and tall for his age. 
 
 One day nearly all the midshipmen happened 
 
 to be assembled together in their berth, when 
 
 one of their number, a stout youch of eighteen, 
 
 who was noted for his envious disposition, 
 
 B 2
 
 4 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 took up a large book, like an account book, 
 saying : 
 
 " Gentlemen, I wish to ask your attention for 
 a moment." 
 
 Then, turning to William Thornton, he con- 
 tinued with a serious countenance : 
 
 " In this book, Master Thornton, we enter the 
 names of our fathers and mothers, as well as of 
 our sisters, provided we have any. Now, ours 
 are all down ; pray oblige me with your father's 
 name, and also your mother's maiden name, if 
 you remember such a personage." 
 
 William Thornton fixed his dark, expressive 
 eyes upon the speaker with a most unmitigated 
 expression of contempt; but with perfect self- 
 control said : 
 
 " You cannot suppose. Master Joshua Dykes, 
 that I am quite so green as to listen seriously to 
 your nonsense. You have been put up to this in- 
 tended insult by Howard Etherton, who knows 
 remarkably well that I have the misfortune not 
 to know who my parents were; therefore you 
 are weak and silly enough to get this trash
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 5 
 
 up for the express purpose of provoking me; 
 but—" 
 
 "Oh, by St. Peter's toe! and that's a brass 
 one," exclaimed a loud, manly voice, the speaker 
 at the moment entering the midshipmen's berth, 
 " give us your hand, William; I'll be your father 
 and mother, and, faith, your grandmother too, 
 if you're in want of one; you're a broth of a boy, 
 and have shown us what pluck and heart can do. 
 Now, if any of these sky-larking lubbers bother 
 you again with their balderdash, by the powers 
 of Moll Kelly, I'll tache them better manners. 
 Hark ye, my lads ! my name, as you all know, 
 is Patrick O'Loughlin, and, as far as I know, I 
 never had a father or mother; but look at this 
 (and clenching his hand he tucked up his sleeve, 
 and stretched out an arm capable of felling an ox) ; 
 there, this has been ray father and mother, and, 
 faith, a whole host of relations beside ; it has made 
 me third lieutenant of the Victory; and that's 
 what I call being a father and mother. Now if any 
 of you want to be better acquainted with William 
 Thornton's father and mother, he can show you
 
 6 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 just such another fist and arm, and is quite wil- 
 ling to give you a taste of it, to establish his 
 parentage; and now. "William, come with me, I 
 want to have half an hour's chat with you." 
 
 Most of the mids burst into a hearty laugh, 
 taking the Lieutenant's words good-humouredly, 
 for he was greatly loved by all the officers and 
 crew of the ship- Howard Etherton and two 
 others, his special cronies, sneered, though they 
 evidently did not admire Lieutenant O'Lough- 
 lin's father and mother. 
 
 "William Thornton and Lieutenant O'Loughlin 
 sat down in the latter's berth, with a bottle of 
 light wine and some biscuits before them. 
 
 " Now tell me, William," said the kind-hearted 
 Lieutenant, " all you know about yourself. You 
 promised to tell me. "We have an idle hour 
 now — to-morrow may see us in action." 
 
 " Most willingly, dear friend." replied our 
 hero. " I have no desire to conceal any part of 
 my history, and least of all from you ; so now 
 listen to a very short yarn, and then you will 
 know as much as I do myself."
 
 THE IRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 7 
 
 " I was reared in a cottage at Deal, by one 
 of the kindest and most generous of men, and 
 Avhom I honour and love as a fond father. He 
 was once coxswain to Lord Hood, but, having 
 lost a leg and arm in the service, now lives upon 
 a pension. Shortly after his retirement he was 
 left a comfortable annuity, and persuaded a 
 sister of his — a widow in poor circumstances — 
 to live with him, purchased a pretty cottage on 
 the sea coast near Walmer, where I grew up till 
 I was eight years old. 
 
 '* I was then sent to one of the best seminaries 
 in tlie county, where I first met Howard Ether- 
 ton. I remained at school till I was fourteen 
 years old, when I returned to my supposed 
 father's cottage. He told me I was going to 
 serve His Majesty as a midshipman. I was 
 delighted. One evening the old tar, who was 
 never so happy as when relating sea-yarns, said, 
 'Bill, my lad, Til spin you a yarn; mix my 
 grog — there, you're bountiful with the water — 
 sit quiet and listen, for it consarns you. 
 
 " ' I was aboard the Quebec, 36-gun frigate,
 
 8 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 began the old tar, ' commanded by as brave a 
 fellow as ever trod a deck. We were cruising 
 off Ushant, with the Earabler cutter in company. 
 It was the month of October, in the year 177 — , 
 we fell in with a large frigate to the sou-west of 
 Ushant, and she had a smart cutter cruising in 
 company. Well, we were soon hammering away 
 at it, and kept it up for three mortal hours. 
 Our decks were slippery with blood, our masts 
 all gone, and our sails, lying over the guns, 
 caught fire, and soon after we blew up, with our 
 colours flying, and — the Lord be merciful to us ! 
 — our captain and most of our crew were hurled 
 into the air. 
 
 " ' I can't say how I got out of her ; all I 
 remember is that I found myself struggling in 
 the water amid a mass of rigging and spars. I 
 was finally picked up and carried on board the 
 French frigate Surveillante, where I found 
 several of my shipmates. We were treated with 
 the greatest kindness, by order of the dying 
 commander, who also desired that we should be 
 put aboard the first neutral vessel they came
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 9 
 
 across, for we had fought' gallantly and nobly, 
 and it was not our fault that the ship blew up. 
 
 " ' The French frigate had suffered awfully ; 
 her masts, sails and rigging were cut to pieces; 
 her crew half killed and wounded. We were 
 permitted • to walk about the deck. I could 
 speak a little of their lingo, and some of them 
 spoke ours. 
 
 " ' One morning I saw a little boy, not much 
 more than two years old, toddling about the 
 ship's deck, and, to my surprise, I heard him 
 speak some words in English to one of the men. 
 
 " ' You may parley- vous to that little chap in 
 your own language,' said one of the sailors, see- 
 ing me caress the child — for I was always soft- 
 hearted, and the child took to me at once. 
 ' How did he come here?' asked I. 
 
 " ' Why,' said the Frenchman, ' about ten 
 days before we fought your frigate, in a heavy 
 gale we ran down a ship in the night; we put 
 out our boats, though it did blow a treble-reefed' 
 topsail breeze, but all we could see was the long 
 boat, and all that we found inside of it was that 
 
 B 5
 
 JO THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 child, wrapped up in- a heap of blankets. The 
 poor little thing was half dead with wet and 
 cold.' That's all I could learn, but the man 
 said, and I would see it, ' that the child was sure 
 to be a gentleman's son, his little garments were 
 so costly and handsome.' 
 
 " Well, after a time jury-masts were rigged 
 and we made way; but a gale drove the frigate 
 ashore on Gros Point, to the lee of Isle Dieu. 
 A scene of terrible confusion ensued, in the 
 midst of which, I, with eight comrades, got off 
 in one of the boats. I took the child with me, 
 for I loved it, and it was English. The next 
 day we were picked up by the , 74, com- 
 manded by Rear-Admiral Hood, who was pro- 
 ceeding to join the fleet under Admiral Rodney. 
 We were all glad, of course, to join that ship, 
 and be under so gallant and brave a seaman. 
 
 " The child became the pet of the ship, he 
 throve like a young bantam, and crowed like one 
 whenever he heard a gun fired. 
 
 " The admiral called me on to the quarter- 
 deck, and desired me to say how I came by the
 
 THE FEIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 11 
 
 child, and I did so. Before I left the ship I be- 
 came his coxswain, and to finish my yarn," said 
 Bill Thornton, finishing his grog, " I now tell 
 you you are the child so strangely found on board 
 the Sur vein ante. 
 
 " You may imagine my emotion, O'Loughlin, 
 when I heard this, and how I blessed and ca- 
 ressed the dear old man for the love he had be- 
 stowed upon me. 
 
 " Now this is all I have to tell you, dear 
 
 friend ; I went to sea shortly after in the • 
 
 frigate as midshipman, and in the course of two 
 years was appointed to this ship through the 
 interest Bill Thornton had with his old com- 
 mander. The admiral knows I am the same 
 child that used to toddle about the quarter-deck 
 
 of the 74, when he commanded her, and 
 
 thus probably feels an interest for me from the 
 peculiarity of my introduction on board his ship, 
 and his esteem for his old and favourite cox- 
 swain." 
 
 " Here's your health, my lad," said the Lieu- 
 tenant, tossing down a full glass, " and here's my
 
 12 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGEE. 
 
 hand, I'll be a second father to you. I'm five- 
 and-twenty, and upon my conscience it appears 
 to me I have lived fifty years, or I was in some 
 other person's skin before I got sewed up in this, 
 I've been so knocked about in this world. We 
 are in a glorious service, and if we have luck, 
 why, by St. Patrick, we may advance to be ad- 
 mirals by the time we get to seventy.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 13 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 In the month of August the British fleet, under 
 Lord Hood, arrived before the port of Toulon. 
 Two commissioners from the Royalist party came 
 on board the Victory, to treat for the surrender 
 of the port and shipping to the British. William 
 Thornton's favorite companion amongst the mids 
 was a youth named Charles Pole, a fine spirited 
 lad of his own age. They were leaning over the 
 bulwarks, gazing at the boats rowing aboard 
 with the two commissioners, and then a look was 
 cast at the bold high land of Cape Cesi, and the 
 entrance to the noble gulf of Toulon.
 
 14 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " I wish they would commence hammering 
 away at those grim looking forts on the heights," 
 said Charles Pole to his comrade, " I'm tired of 
 doing nothing." 
 
 " II dolce far niente" said William Thorn- 
 ton, '' the Italian's supreme delight, that and 
 serenading his lady love by the light of a bright 
 moon." 
 
 " Oh ! wait a bit, my beauties," said O'Lough- 
 lin, joining them, " you won't talk of the Dolce 
 far niente in a day or two, for it's all up with 
 regotiations. We shall have those grim forts 
 talking to us shortly, and faith, I'm longing 
 myself to have a bout with those republican 
 bloodhounds." 
 
 O'Loughlin was right in his conjectures. Lord 
 Hood, in great perplexity as to the intentions of 
 the royalist party, resolved upon the hazardous 
 experiment of sending an officer into the town to 
 ascertain how matters stood, being aware that 
 Rear- Admiral St. Julian with the bulk of the 
 French fleet sided with the republicans. 
 
 This perilous expedition was confided to the
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 15 
 
 judgment and courage of Lieutenant Edward 
 Cooke, who was to select a midshipman to ac- 
 company him. 
 
 " Take Thornton, Cooke," said O'Loughlin, 
 " that's the lad for the work ; as courageous as a 
 lion and as cool as a lettuce. Do you remember 
 how he behaved in the affair off Cadiz. If you 
 come back safe, which I predict you will, it will 
 be a feather in his cap." 
 
 " The very one I would have selected," said 
 Lieutenant Cooke; " but he's too young to run 
 the gauntlet through the French fleet; it's 
 almost a pity." 
 
 To the great delight of Thornton he was 
 selected. 
 
 "I think," said Howard Etherton, with a 
 malicious grin, and giving his chum Dykes a 
 poke in the ribs, " I think we shall be one less 
 in our mess by this time to-morrow. I suppose 
 he will leave his kit to you, Pole." 
 
 " I hope he will live to break your head yet," 
 said Charles Pole, with a look of contempt as he 
 walked on.
 
 16 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 "Thank you, Master Pole; we shall not for- 
 get that," bawled out Howard Etherton. 
 
 A remarkably fast gig was selected to take the 
 lieutenant and his young companion, and eight 
 picked men, Saunders, the top-man, being one of 
 them. It was ten o'clock at night when the gig 
 left the side of the ship. It was blowing very 
 fresh, and considering the time of year, extremely 
 dark. Our hero was steering. 
 
 " Now, William/' said the Lieutenant, " keep 
 her away for the high land, yonder; and when 
 we come abreast of the ships steer boldly right 
 into the midst of them." 
 
 After entering the harbour our hero could see 
 the light on the dockyard pier plain enough; 
 and he knew from drafts and maps every inch of 
 the outward and inner harbour, whilst the Com- 
 mittee General were aware of the intended at- 
 tempt to communicate with them. 
 
 The boat flew through the water, under the 
 strokes of eight vigorous oars men, and passed close 
 under the stern of a huge hundred and twenty 
 gun ship, which they knew was the Commerce De
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. • 17 
 
 Marseilles. There were eighteen or more ships 
 moored in two lines, with a considerable space 
 between, through which the light boat was im- 
 pelled rapidly, and without even a challenge 
 from any of the ships. It was evidently taken 
 for one of their own boats. William Thornton 
 steered steadily for the jetty, which was known 
 to be in the hands of the royalist party. In a 
 few minutes they were along side the pier, which 
 was crowded with persons of all grades and de- 
 nominations, the soldiers on duty finding it 
 almost impossible to keep them back. A naval 
 officer came to the side of the boat, and addressed 
 Lieutenant Cooke, saying: 
 
 " You have done a daring feat. Monsieur; and, 
 fortunately, you have succeeded. I am desired 
 to let you know that until to-morrow morning 
 you cannot land. It would be dangerous." 
 
 " Very good," said Lieutenant Cooke. " "We 
 can pass the rest of the night in our boat- 
 cloaks." 
 
 " Wine and refreshments," continued the officer,
 
 18 -THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 "shall be sent to you for yourself and men; and 
 I pray you, Monsieur, not to feel aggrieved at this 
 delay; it is unavoidable." 
 
 Ere half-an-hour had elapsed a large hamper 
 •was handed on board the boa't, and then they 
 were told to pull off from the jetty, and make 
 fast to one of tlie buoys, which they did. 
 
 " Come, ray lads," said Lieutenant Cooke, " rip 
 up the hamper, and let us feel the contents if we 
 can't see them ; we shall not require light to ap- 
 pease our hunger." 
 
 William Thornton was delighted with the ex- 
 citement of the affair They could hear the 
 various sounds from the interior of the town; 
 loud shouts and cries, and all the noises attend- 
 ing the assembly of a number of people in the 
 street; but all was perfectly quiet within the 
 dockyard and basin. Not a boat passed in or 
 out, and the crowd, a while back standing on the 
 jetty, were all put outside the gates, and only 
 the sentries remained, walking backwards and 
 forwards on their watch.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 19 
 
 The hamper contained a dozen of wine, a 
 couple of fowls, and a ham, with abundance of 
 bread. 
 
 " Well, by Jove, William, this is not bad ; I 
 suppose you exp9cted a mess of frogs, or some 
 other outlandish dish, eli?" 
 
 " I prefer the half of a fowl, I confess," re- 
 turned our hero, pulling out his knife to com- 
 mence operations, " though frogs may not be 
 such a bad dish as we may imagine." 
 
 '* Oh, confound their frogs !" said the Lieuten- 
 ant, drawing a cork out of one of the bottles. " By 
 Jupiter, there's neither cup nor glass of any kind." 
 
 " Here's a horn, your honour," said one of the 
 men^ "I brought it, thinking it might serve a 
 turn somehow if we got anything better than 
 water." 
 
 " You're a thoughtful man, Saunders," said 
 the Lieutenant; " liand it here," and giving it 
 a rinse first with water and then with wine, 
 he filled himself a bumper and tossed it off". 
 " Good Bordeaux, by Jove, and no mistake. 
 Come, these fellows know what's good."
 
 20 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " There's a row in the town, Mr. Cooke," said 
 the midshipman j " you can hear them rioting 
 very distinctly." 
 
 " Those cursed, blood-thirsty Kepublicans, 
 trying to cut the throats of the royalists, I sup- 
 pose," returned the Lieutenant, " and that's the 
 reason they would not let us land, during the 
 tumult. We shall have to remain here till to- 
 morrow night, as we cannot attempt to pass the 
 ships in the broad daylight." 
 
 Telling the men to help themselves to the re- 
 mains of the fowl and ham, and letting them 
 have a couple of bottles of wine between them, 
 a regular watch having been set, the lieutenant 
 and midshipman wrapped themselves up in their 
 boat cloaks, and reclined on the thwarts, con- 
 versing together till they dropped off into a short 
 slumber. William Thornton slept an hour or 
 two, and then, waking, sat up; the lieutenant 
 was fast asleep, and so were the men, excepting 
 the two that kept watch. The night was still 
 extremely dark, but as our hero sat gazing over 
 the dark water, looking at the huge dismasted
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 21 
 
 hulls of some unfinished war vessels, he thought 
 he heard at a little distance a splashing in the 
 water like a person swimming. 
 
 "Do you see anything in the water, right 
 ahead, Saunders ?" asked the midshipman to one 
 of the watch, stooping down low as he spoke, 
 and looking along the surface of the water. 
 
 " I thought as how I heard a noise, sir," said 
 the man, " and I think I see a dark object 
 moving towards us." 
 
 " So do I now," returned William Thornton, 
 " it is a man swimming. Hush ! do not make 
 a noise, one man cannot hurt us." 
 
 Bill Saunders put down the boat stretcher he 
 had taken up, with the laudable intention of hit- 
 ting the swimmer over the head, and the next 
 moment a man swam up alongside, stripped all 
 to his drawers, holding up his hand and request- 
 ing them to make no noise. He seized the 
 gunnel of the boat, and Saunders and the other 
 men being roused helped him in. The heeling 
 over of the boat rolled Lieutenant Cooke off the 
 thvvart, who immediately sprang up, saying:
 
 22 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " Hollo ! William, what's in the wind now." 
 
 Our hero told him that a man had swam along- 
 side with a letter in his cap for the English 
 officer, and that they had taken hi in on board. 
 Fortunately both Lieutenant Cooke and Thornton 
 spoke French fluently. 
 
 " Well, Monsieur," said the lieutenant, look- 
 ing at the Frenchman in the dim light, and 
 taking the letter, " I cannot read this till day- 
 light; tell me, if you please, what it is about, 
 and what has induced you to incur so great a 
 risk." 
 
 " 1 have undertaken this adventure, monsieur," 
 returned the stranger, " to serve a most per- 
 secuted lady, a countrywoman of yours, and of 
 high rank in this country. She is even now 
 concealed in the vaults of a house in the Rue 
 Province. She escaped from the fearful mas- 
 sacres of Lyons in a miraculous manner, even 
 when brought out with her young daughter to 
 be shot, by order of that infernal monster Collet 
 d' Herbois." 
 
 Lieutenant Cooke and the midshipman listened
 
 THE IRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 23 
 
 to the stranger's account with considerable in- 
 terest, and no little surprise. Our hero had lent 
 the stranger his boat cloak, and given him a 
 small quantity of brandy, and Lieutenant Cooke 
 then said : 
 
 *' May I ask. Monsieur, who you are, that have 
 so generously periled your life to serve this lady ?" 
 
 " I was. Monsieur, the Intendant of the hus- 
 band of Madame la Duchesse, her second husband, 
 who alas ! perished with many other loyal noble- 
 men in defending his unfortunate king. Her 
 first husband was an English gentleman of the 
 name of Arden, perhaps you may know the 
 name, the Duchess's daughter is by her first 
 husband." 
 
 " The Ardens are an old and wealthy family," 
 said Lieutenant Cooke, " but I do not know 
 them. I should be delighted to serve this un' 
 fortunate lady and her daughter, but you see, I 
 am now employed upon a most important mission, 
 and dare not depart from my instructions or take 
 part in any private affair. Nevertheless, some 
 effort must be made to rescue this lady, but
 
 24 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 could she not trust herself to the royalist party 
 in Toulon ; they are strong, are they not ?" 
 
 " No, in truth. Monsieur, they are not, as I 
 fear the result will shew. Madame la Duchesse 
 is, I am satisfied, closely sought after. She 
 trusted herself to the royalists of Lyons, and 
 would, but for my assistance, have perished. 
 Once known to be in Toulon, she would be 
 sacrificed long before she could be got on board 
 the British fleet." 
 
 Lieutenant Cooke thought for a moment, and 
 then said: 
 
 " To-morrow morning I am to meet the com- 
 mittee-general, respecting the surrender of the 
 town and ships. If the town is given up Madame 
 and her daughter will be instantly placed 
 in safety. But as this may not happen, could 
 not you. Monsieur, conduct this young gentle- 
 man," putting his hand on the midshipman's 
 shoulder, " to-morrow morning to where Madame 
 is concealed. He may be able, by conversing 
 with her, to plan some method of getting her and 
 her daughter to the sea- shore of the outer har-
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 25 
 
 bour by to-morrow night, for we cannot leave 
 in the day time, and thus as we pass out we 
 may be enabled to take them on board." 
 
 *' That is a very good idea of yours, Mon- 
 sieur," said the Frenchman ; " therefore, if this 
 young gentleman comes on shore to-morrow 
 morning, I will secretly watch for his landing, 
 and as you all proceed through the streets to the 
 Committee-General's, I will contrive to attract 
 his attention; then if he will follow me at a 
 short distance, I will introduce him to Madame." 
 
 " Yery good," said William Thornton, " I will 
 keep a sharp look-out for you, and if you hold up 
 your hand it will be sufficient.' 
 
 "How far have you to swim?" questioned 
 Lieutenant Cooke. 
 
 "Not very far, Monsieur," said the stranger,- 
 " there is no boom across the basin, and once 
 outside, I can land where I left my garments." 
 
 The Frenchman thanked the Lieutenant for 
 his courtesy, slipped over the side, and noise- 
 lessly made his way through the still waters of 
 
 the basin, and was soon lost to sight. 
 YOL. I. r.
 
 26 THE FKIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 After the departure of the Frenchman, Lieu- 
 tenant Cooke and William Thornton commented 
 upon "yhat they had just heard. 
 
 " I forgot to ask the stranger," remarked the 
 lieutenant, " the lady's present title; he called 
 her Madame la Duchesse. Her former name, at 
 all events, was Arden." 
 
 " I dare say," said the midshipman, " the note 
 he presented will explain, and perhaps give some 
 further particulars of her situation." 
 
 " True, I forgot the note; there will be day-
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 27 
 
 light in another hour, it's getting grey to the 
 eastward. A terrible scene this poor lady and 
 her child must have witnessed in Lyons," con- 
 tinued the lieutenant, " the atrocities committed 
 there by that fiend, Collet de Herbois exceeds 
 all human belief. That wretch found the guil- 
 lotine too slow for his blood-thirsty soul; he had 
 the unfortunate people of Lyons actually shot 
 down by cannon, loaded with grape shot, hun- 
 dreds at a time. He even undermined the 
 streets, and blew up the houses with gunpowder,* 
 tied his victims to trees, and shot them down 
 like wild beasts. In five months this detestable 
 monster slaughtered six thousand persons." 
 
 " What extraordinary infatuation," exclaimed 
 our hero. " I can scarcely understand human 
 beings becoming so suddenly seized with such a 
 thirst for blood." 
 
 Lieutenant Cooke, finding the daylight rapidly 
 increasing, became curious to examine his letter. 
 It was addressed in a female hand writing : 
 
 * Fact. 
 
 c 2
 
 28 the frigate and the lugger. 
 
 " to the english officer ix command of the 
 victory's boat." 
 
 Opening tlie letter, he read its contents in a 
 low voice to William Thornton : 
 
 •' Sir,— 
 
 " Hearing that a boat from the British Ad- 
 miral's ship, was lying in the Dock basin, in- 
 spired me with the hope of being rescued from the 
 perilous situation in which, with my daughter, 
 I am placed. I am a native of England, and 
 the widow of the late Duke de Coulancourt. My 
 first husband, the father of my little girl, was 
 the Honourable James Somers Arden. My 
 anxious desire is, if possible, to get on board one 
 of the British ships, hoping thus to be able to 
 reach England. If, therefore, any assistance can 
 be rendered me, I shall for ever pray for the 
 ■welfare of those to whom my gratitude will be 
 due; you may implicitly trust Monsieur Jean 
 Plessis, the bearer of this; he can give you every 
 
 information. 
 
 "Anne Coulancourt. 
 
 " nez De Bracey."
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 29 
 
 " Well, William, you must do your best, and 
 try and see this poor lady and her little girl," 
 said Lieutenant Cooke. " If they could manage 
 to get on the beach to the eastward of the ship- 
 ping, along which we pass to get clear of the 
 harbour, we might readily pick them up. I do 
 not know the locality myself, but Monsieur 
 Plessis I dare say knows how to get them there. 
 Now let us pull in for the quay, I see a number 
 of persons assembled j and there goes a signal for 
 us. Be very cautious, William, how you act, 
 get back to the boat as soon as you can; 
 Saunders will keep a good look-out for you, 
 and haul off from the quay till he sees either you 
 or me. Now, my lads," added the Lieutenant, 
 " pull in for the pier." 
 
 On reaching the pier, they found the Commis- 
 sioners and several naval officers, in full uniform, 
 waiting to receive them. As Lieutenant Cooke 
 leaped on shore, followed by our hero, two of the 
 Commissioners advanced and offered many apo- 
 logies for leaving them in their boat all night. 
 The tumultuous assemblies in the town was the
 
 30 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 cause. Breakfast was prepared for them in a 
 mansion near the dock gates, after partaking of 
 which, they would conduct Lieutenant Cooke 
 before the constituted authorities, to hear 
 his proposals. Accordingly, they all went 
 through the dock gates, a vast concourse of 
 people of the very lowest grade were assembled 
 outside, and various cries and violent vocifera- 
 tions saluted their ears. There were royalists 
 and republicans, Jacobins and Girondists, all 
 furious and excited ; nevertheless, they proceeded 
 unmolested to the house where breakfast was 
 prepared for them ; after which, accompanied by 
 more than twenty gentlemen and officers, Lieu- 
 tenant Cooke arrived at the chamber, where 
 the Commissioners sat awaiting them. 
 
 " Be cautious, and take care of yourself, 
 William," whispered the Lieutenant as the 
 raid-shipman dropped into the rear, without 
 being particularly noticed, for the crowd rushed 
 eagerly after Lieutenant Cooke and his escort, 
 Thornton walked quietly on, attired in a plain 
 jacket and trousers, without any marks of a
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 31 
 
 naval uniform ofi them; his dirk he left in the 
 boat purposely, but he carried a brace of small 
 pistols in his pockets. 
 
 As the crowd rushed on, William Thornton 
 found himself proceeding up a narrow street, 
 when he suddenly felt a hand laid upon his arm. 
 The man who had touched him passed on, but 
 turning round, looked him in the face with a 
 peculiar expression on his features. 
 
 " That is our friend of last night," thought 
 the midshipman, and he followed him at a little 
 distance. The man presently turned down a 
 deserted side street, for almost the entire popu- 
 lation of the town were assembled before the hall 
 where the Committee General sat; an intense 
 state of excitement existing, for it was then 
 known that General Castenau, the fierce republi- 
 can General, was before Marseilles, and this 
 created a fearful panic amongst the royalists, and 
 a source of fiend-like rejoicing with the blood- 
 thirsty republicans. Following the stranger 
 through several bye-streets, he suddenly dived 
 beneath an arch, making a sign to our hero to be
 
 32 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 quick after him. "William Thornton did not 
 delay, and passing under the arch he found him- 
 self in a very small court with his guide stand- 
 ing before the door of an apparently deserted 
 house. 
 
 " This is fortunate, Monsieur," said the man, 
 " the streets, you see, are totally deserted ; no 
 one, I think, saw us enter this court." 
 
 Unlocking the door, they traversed a dark, 
 damp passage. Pushing open a side door, 
 they entered a small room, totally unfurnished, 
 the light being admitted through a half-open 
 shutter. 
 
 "Please to stay here a few minutes, Mon- 
 sieur," said Jean Plessis; " I will get Madame 
 up from the vaults into another room, where 
 she usually stays when I am in the house tj 
 watch. When I am absent she and her daugh- 
 ter keep below — their place of concealment 
 would not be easily discovered," 
 
 "Poor lady !" said William Thornton; " what 
 a state for one of her rank to live in. But are 
 there not many Royalist families in the town
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 33 
 
 not forced to live in such a state of conceal- 
 ment?" 
 
 " Yes," said Jean Plessis, " but there is only 
 one Duchesse of Coulancourt. Collet de Herbois 
 would give ten thousand francs for her head. 
 There are many of his spies here, and will soon 
 track me. There will be more blood spilt here 
 than even in Lyons." 
 He then departed. 
 
 " That is very odd," thought the midshipman. 
 " With a magnificent British and Spanish fleet 
 before the town, surely, if the Admiral pleases, 
 he could take the town and fort at any time, and 
 drive these horrid Eepublicans into the sea." 
 
 William Thornton was a young reasoner; he 
 did not know that there were wheels within 
 wheels in politics ; that, with the finest fleet in 
 the world, it was sometimes the policy of 
 ministers to do nothing with it. As it turned 
 out, however, the fleet did get possession of the 
 fort and the town, but only to abandon it and its 
 wretched inhabitants afterwards, to one of the 
 most fearful massacres on record. 
 
 c 5
 
 34 THE FPtlGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 Our hero remained waiting for the return of 
 Jean Plessis, wondering in his heart how the 
 unfortunate Duchesse de Couhmcourt and her 
 daughter could dwell in so desolate and un- 
 wholesome a place. 
 
 In less than half-an-hour the Frenchman 
 returned, saying: 
 
 " 1 am sorry to have kept you, young gentle- 
 man, in so dismal a chamber; but Madame is 
 now ready to receive you. Please to follow 
 me." 
 
 Our hero followed Jean Plessis through two 
 or three dismal corridors and chambers, till, 
 opening a door, he ushered him into a room, 
 partly furnished. There were two windows to the 
 apartment, but only the top part of the shutters 
 was kept open. As he entered the chamber — 
 a little bashful, perhaps, for he was but seven- 
 teen, and but little accustomed to female society 
 — he perceived a lady in deep mourning rise 
 from a chair and advance to meet him; but he 
 was more surprised when, instead of a fair 
 young girl, as he expected to see, he observed a
 
 THE TRIGATE AND THE LOGGER. 35 
 
 slight, fragile boy, with a pale and very thin face, 
 but with eyes dark, large, and lustrous. He 
 appeared about twelve years of age, and stood 
 leaning against the high-backed chair of his 
 mother. 
 
 The Duchesse slightly started as she gazed up 
 into the handsome, expressive features of the 
 midshipman. For a moment she appeared to 
 be reflecting, as if some past transaction was 
 recalled by his presence. 
 
 " Ah !" said the lady, in French, speaking in 
 a low voice, "he is young, very young;" but 
 then, looking up, with a sweet smile on her pale 
 but very beautiful features, she said, in English : 
 
 " Pardon me, young gentleman, instead of 
 wondering at your youth, I ought to have ex- 
 pressed my gratitude at seeing one so young 
 willing to incur so much risk in his desire to 
 befriend a perfect stranger." 
 
 " But nevertheless, Madame," said the young 
 sailor, " a countrywoman. Lieutenant Cooke, 
 my superior officer, would most willingly have 
 come in my place, but that he was forced to
 
 36 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 attend a most important meeting witli the 
 Eoyalist committee. He, however, bade me 
 say that any assistance he can offer you, will 
 be a pleasure, and that perhaps you, Madame, 
 would be able to point out to me how that 
 assistance can be rendered." 
 
 The Duchesse de Coulancourt seemed to 
 reflect for a few moments, during which time 
 our young midshipman had an opportunity of 
 regarding her features and person, and also that 
 of the young boy, looking so earnest and pensive 
 beside her. The Duchesse was tall, graceful in 
 figure, and, though exceedingly pale and thin, 
 her features were beautifully formed. Like the 
 boy, her eyes were black, large, and expressive j 
 with luxuriant black hair; and in years, as well 
 as he could judge, not more than five or six and 
 thirty. The boy was of a slight figure, dressed 
 in the tunic and vest then worn by boys of his 
 age; he had the same fine features as the 
 mother, but his excessive thinness and palor 
 gave him a consumptive appearance, which was 
 only relieved by the singularly expressive look
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 37 
 
 about the eyes, and the beautifully marked eye- 
 brows. 
 
 *' I have been thinking all the morning," said 
 the Duchesse, rousing herself from her thoughts, 
 " how to act in the painful and trying situation 
 in which I am placed ; for no human power could 
 save me were I recognised, or known to be 
 living in this town. Not even to the Royalist 
 party would I venture to show myself, unless, 
 indeed, the British Admiral ultimately gains 
 possession of the town. My chief desire is to 
 secure the safety of my beloved daughter. Come 
 hither, Mabel. I have disguised her, as you see, 
 like a boy. Poor child ! she is so attenuated 
 by fretting, confinement, and various other 
 privations, that she appears a mere shadow." 
 
 Madame Coulancourt turned and took her 
 disguised daughter by the hand, the child's 
 pale face slightly flushed as she saw that "William 
 Thornton's dark eyes were fixed upon her, with 
 an expression of deep interest and surprise. The 
 midshipman thought her plain, even with her 
 large speaking eyes.
 
 38 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 The Duchess sighed, and the tears ran down 
 her cheeks as she kissed her daughter's forehead, 
 and then taking her hand, she said : 
 
 " Mabel, this young gentleman will be a 
 brother to you. Pray what is your name?" she 
 added, as our hero took the little hand in his 
 and stooped and kissed her forehead, with the 
 dark hair cut close all round like a boy's. " I 
 know not how it is, but I feel a strange spirit of 
 prophecy creeping over me, that tells me you 
 will serve this poor child, who is, as it were, 
 alone in the world. You have a strong likeness, 
 young sir, to some one I dearly loved, but me- 
 mory is almost dead within me. You will pro- 
 tect my child, I know you will!" 
 
 " On my soul, Madame," returned William 
 Thornton, with his eyes kindling with all the 
 fire and romance of his enthusiastic disposition; 
 " on ray soul, Madame, I will do all I can ; wil- 
 lingly peril life if necessary to be of service to 
 you or this dear little girl." 
 
 The child pressed his hand to her lips, and her 
 eyes full of tears were lifted to his, as she said :
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 39 
 
 " And Mabel will always be a sister to you, 
 and love you with all her heart." Prophetic 
 words to her, which were never forgotten. " I 
 had a brother once," she added ; and shuddering 
 she said in a low broken voice, " but they killed 
 him." 
 
 Madame Coulancourt drew her daughter to- 
 wards her ; she was weeping, but checking her 
 feelings and her painful remembrances of terrible 
 moments, now passed, she looked up, saying: 
 
 " It is wrong thus to waste valuable time, by 
 giving way to recollections of events that cannot 
 be recalled. This morning I made up my mind 
 how to act, after consulting with Monsieur Jean 
 Plessis. This faithful friend of my unfortunate 
 husband saved my life and my child's life, risk- 
 ing not only his own existence, but the safety of 
 a wife and child dear to him. He was Monsieur 
 le Duke's Intendant and then mine; but he is 
 a man of good family, and at one time had con- 
 siderable property. But like many alas ! in this 
 land, stripped of all — of everything — save his 
 noble devotion to me and mine. He procured these
 
 40 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 garments for my little girl, and agreed with me in 
 my intention of confiding her to the care of the 
 English officer, who was expected from the 
 admiral's ship. Dressed thus, she may more easily 
 pass through the town with you and thus gain 
 the boat, and to night Monsieur Plessis says he 
 is pretty certain he will be able to get me dis- 
 guised to the beach of the outer harbour, where 
 there is a ruined quay that juts out into the sea; 
 and where, as you row along shore in your boat, 
 you may be able to take me in without attracting 
 observation. Still I prefer my little girl going 
 with you, because I am sure it will ensure her 
 escape from this land of misery. Whereas a few 
 hours hence — nay, the very result of the meet- 
 ing now taking place — may rouse a furious blood- 
 thirsty mob into sedition and outrage, for there 
 are a hundred of the followers and spies of the 
 atrocious Collet de Herbois in the town at this 
 moment, leading the easily excited lower order 
 into revolutionary excesses." 
 
 " Your daughter will be quite safe in the boat, 
 Madame," said the midshipman earnestly, "and
 
 THE iRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 41 
 
 I know that every protection will be afforded her 
 when we reach the Victory. Perhaps, Madame, 
 if you make the attempt you will succeed in 
 getting safely to the boat now, whilst the mass 
 of the people surround the council chamber." 
 
 " No ! no !" said the Duchess sadly, " the risk 
 of being recognized in broad dciy light by some 
 of the spies of de Herbois would be too great. 
 Ah ! young sir, if you only knew a hundredth 
 part of the horrors and sufferings this dear child 
 and I went through whilst in the power of those 
 monsters, who rule this once fair land, you would, 
 like us, shudder at the very idea of again falling 
 into their bands. Attired as my child is, she 
 will escape notice walking by your side, whereas 
 should an agent of de Herbois recognise me, we 
 should be both lost." 
 
 Madame Coulancourt then rose and took from 
 a table a casket; closing the lid as she placed 
 it beside our hero, and locking it with a very 
 peculiar key. It was a work of foreign manu- 
 facture, and beautifully clasped with silver, 
 chased.
 
 42 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 "I wish you also, Master Thornton," con- 
 tinued Madame Coulancourt, "to take charge 
 of this casket, for should it be the will of Heaven 
 that I should be unable to rejoin my child — " 
 
 " Ah ! mamma," passionately interrupted the 
 young girl, throwing her arms round her mother's 
 neck and weeping violently, " what words are 
 those? No! no! I will not leave you, whatever 
 peril you incur, your own Mabel will share it 
 with you, and you shall not hear me murmur." 
 
 " But, my beloved child," said the mother 
 soothingly, *' even Jean Plessis himself says he 
 would not be able to take us both to-night to the 
 beach. You could not surmount the difficulties 
 of the way. Besides your presence would render us 
 remarkable going through the gates j he has only 
 a pass for two." 
 
 Thus the mother soothed her little girl, shew- 
 ing her how necessary it was for the salvation 
 of both that she should put herself under the 
 care of the young midshipman. After a time 
 Mabel Arden allowed herself to be persuaded. 
 
 "William Thornton also talked to and soothed
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 43 
 
 the child, and she looked so confidingly on him, 
 and appeared to feel his kindness to her, so 
 much that he vowed in his heart to suffer death 
 sooner than Mabel should be injured whilst under 
 his care. 
 
 " I was saying," said the Duchess, rewarding 
 our hero with a sweet affectionate smile, " that 
 I wish to confide this casket to your charge till 
 we meet again In it there are important letters 
 and papers respecting my daughter and her re- 
 latives in England, who will at once acknowledge 
 and receive her. There are also a few jewels of 
 value, and money ; but I trust in God we shall 
 be able to join you to-night in the boats. At 
 what hour do you suppose you will leave the 
 dock basin?" 
 
 " Perhaps, after ten o'clock, madame; it was 
 very dark last night, when we passed through 
 the shipping, and as there is no moon it will 
 be nearly as dark to-night; or at all events, 
 it will be only star light. You ought, 
 madame, to be provided with a dark lantern to
 
 44 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 show a light when you hear the noise of our 
 oars, as we row along shore." 
 
 " No doubt Jean Plessis will provide one," 
 said Madame De Coulancourt, " but you will re- 
 member the ruined quay ; he says you cannot 
 mistake the spot, as it is the only erection of the 
 kind on that line of beach. I trust I am not 
 detaining you too long," said the Duchess, "I 
 have now said all I have to say; so come, my 
 beloved child, embrace me once more, and then 
 T will confide you to the care of your young pro- 
 tector, whom may God prosper and preserve !" 
 
 Mabel threw herself into her mother's arms; 
 again and again she kissed her passionately, 
 whilst the tears streamed down both mother's 
 and daughter's cheeks. 
 
 William Thornton was considerably affected at 
 witnessing the suffering the separation caused 
 Mabel and the Duchess. He spoke some kind 
 and assuring words to the little girl, and what 
 he said appeared to abate her grief. Madame 
 De Coulancourt then put a boy's cloak over her
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 45 
 
 shoulders, and a cap on her head, and then sum- 
 moned Jean Plessis, who kept watch without. 
 This ftiithful friend of the Duchess De Coulan- 
 court was a tall and highly respectable looking 
 man, in years, scarcely forty, with a fine and ex- 
 pressive countenance. For several moments he 
 conversed with our hero, respecting the place at 
 which they were to meet that night ; he described 
 the inner and outward harbour accurateljf, and 
 the best way for Lieutenant Cooke to steer on 
 leaving the basin that night, and then covering 
 the casket with a cloth cover, William Thornton 
 took it under his care, remarking to himself that 
 it was for its size uncommonly heavy. 
 
 '* I shall go on before you, Monsieur," said 
 Jean Plessis, *' till I bring you in sight of the 
 dock gates. Should you by chance be ques- 
 tioned as to who the boy is with you, say your 
 superior officer ordered you to take him with 
 you, and that he is an English lad; they will 
 not attempt to stop you." 
 
 Madame De Coulancourt was greatly agitated 
 on parting. She embraced William Thornton as
 
 46 THE FRIGAfE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 she would had he been her son, and drawing a 
 ring from her finger, begged him to heep it in 
 remembrance of her. Our hero was greatly im- 
 pressed ; he was beginning very early, indeed, to 
 be a protector to a young girl, scarcely three 
 years his junior, but he felt proud of the confi- 
 dence placed in him, and interested beyond mea- 
 sure. Taking the weeping and trembling Mabel 
 by the hand they passed out from the house, 
 Jean Plessis going first to see that all was clear, 
 then making a sign to William Thornton they 
 all three proceeded down the street.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 47 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 It became very apparent to our hero, after 
 traversing one or two streets, that there was some 
 great commotion going on in other parts of the 
 town, for the shouts and outcries from the 
 distance were deafening. As yet they had 
 passed but few persons, and those seemed all 
 to be hurrying in one direction. 
 
 Toulon at this period contained nearly five 
 thousand inhabitants within its walls; three parts 
 of this population were Republicans, and so were 
 the bulk of the fleet. Jean Plessis led the way 
 some distance a head, when suddenly, in turning 
 the corner of a street, they encountered a mob,
 
 48 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 swearing and shouting furiously, and to the great 
 astonishment of William Thornton he perceived 
 that a large body of the people surrounded Lieu- 
 tenant Cooke and a few of the Committee, and 
 •were evidently bent upon obstructing their path 
 to the dock gates, which were now in sight. In 
 a moment the young man and his terrified 
 charge were pushed out of the road, and the next 
 instant became mingled with the riotous mob 
 they had so unfortunately stumbled upon. Still 
 holding Mabel by the hand, the midshipman, a 
 resolute and strong youth for his age, sturdily 
 strove to gain the side of Lieutenant Cooke* 
 and the Commissioners, who were arguing with 
 the mob; but just then a ferocious looking man, 
 with his neck and throat bare, no coat on his 
 back, but with an apron and a batcher's knife 
 tied round his waist, suddenly clutched our hero 
 by the collar, in a terrible grip, spluttering out : 
 " Ah, cursed aristocrat Anglais, what are you 
 doing with this boy?" 
 
 * Lieutenant Cooke was arrested in the streets of Toulon by 
 the mob, but was in the end allowed to proceed to his boat. — 
 James's Naval History.
 
 THE PKIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 49 
 
 Without a moment's hesitation William Thorn- 
 ton drew a pistol from his pocket, cocked it, and 
 putting it close to the man's head, said : 
 " Let go, ruffian, or you are a dead man !" 
 The surly villain let go his hold with a horrid 
 oath, and the midshipman, catching his young 
 and terrified companion round the waist, burst 
 through the startled group surrounding him, and 
 the next instant was by Lieutenant Cooke's side, 
 just as a large body of the Committee and a Royal- 
 ist guard of marines came up to protect the 
 British envoy. 
 
 "Is that you, William?" said the Lieutenant, 
 astonished. "Put up your pistol; do not let 
 them see you armed. What boy is this?" 
 
 " I will tell you, sir, when we get to the boat; 
 but push on for the dock gates, they are getting 
 furious. See that tall ruffian — 1 should like to 
 shoot him — is exciting the mob." 
 
 " How blood-thirsty you are, William," said 
 the Lieutenant, and then turning to some of the 
 Commissioners, he urged their getting within the 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 50 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 dock gates as soon as possible. The marines 
 cleared the way, and in a few minutes they were 
 safe within the gates, but not before the huge 
 butcher, struggling through the crowd, had aimed 
 a large brick with violence at our hero, shouting 
 out: 
 
 " Take that, cursed aristocrat ! I will have 
 your head one of these days !" 
 
 The missile missed its intended mark, but 
 knocked down one of the Commissioners in front. 
 William Thornton would have shot the fellow 
 instantly, but Lieutenant Cooke pushed him in- 
 side the gate with his little charge, saying: 
 
 " By Jove, you are a hot-headed boy ; your 
 impetuosity must be restrained !" 
 
 The great gates of the dock-basin being closed, 
 kept out the mob, and the party proceeded 
 quietly along the jetty. 
 
 " I fear, Mabel," said the Midshipman, stoop- 
 ing and looking into the little pale face of his 
 charge, " all this has frightened you very 
 much." 
 
 " Yes," said the child, in her quiet sweet voice,
 
 THE IRIGATE AND THE LUGGEE. 51 
 
 "but I am more frightened about raamQia; and, 
 awhile ago, I thought more of you, when that 
 horrid man seized you, than of myself." 
 
 " Well, please God, Mabel, your mamma will 
 join us to-night. At all events, all danger to 
 you is over, there is our boat yonder pulling in 
 for the jetty." 
 
 Lieutenant Cooke, taking our hero by the arm, 
 said in a low voice : 
 
 " Well, how did you get on, and who is that 
 delicate looking boy ?" 
 
 " This is the Duchess De Coulancourt's little 
 girl," returned William Thornton. " We shall 
 take the Duchess up on the beach to-night as we 
 go by ; but I will tell you all when I get on board. 
 What occurred at the meeting?" 
 
 " A precious row, my lad ; I thought at one 
 time we should all have had our throats cut. 
 However, in the end, they signed a declaration, 
 agreeing to our Admiral's proposal, so all we 
 have to do is to get back to our ship, and I sup- 
 pose in a day or so we shall be in possession of 
 
 the town or port." 
 
 D 2 
 
 TY OF ILUNOIJJ
 
 52 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 On board one of the dismasted craft in the 
 basin, provisions and all kinds of drinkables 
 were prepared for the English officers and 
 the crew of the gig, and thither they all 
 proceeded, with several naval officers of the 
 Eoyalist party. No one seemed to notice the 
 child, whether they thought he came in the boat 
 with them or not, William Thornton could not 
 say; but, leaving the Lieutenant to entertain the 
 French officers, the Midshipman and his protegee 
 sat down in one of the private cabins of the 
 frigate, and Bill Saunders brought them a share 
 of the repast from the main cabin. 
 
 Mabel recovered her spirits a little when our 
 hero told her that the Royalists would hold pos- 
 session of the town, and that the British fleet 
 would sail into the port in a day or two, so that 
 there would be no fear of her mamma, even if 
 she was not able to join them that night. 
 
 " Ah !" said the little girl, " but what will 
 become of me, in this horrid dress, if she does 
 not? Are there any females on board your 
 ship?"
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 53 
 
 •' No, Mabel, there are not (luckily, he added 
 to himself, or adieu to discipline) ; but if by any 
 chance your mamma should be prevented join- 
 ing us, I will take you on board the Thetis; Cap- 
 tain Timmin's wife and daughters are there. 
 They are going in a day or two to Genoa; they 
 will, I am sure, take great care of you for a 
 night or two." 
 
 " Oh ! dear William," said the child, anxiously 
 clasping his hand in hers, " do not let me go 
 from you; put me in any corner near you; I 
 won't mind wearing this dress for a day or two, 
 but do not send me amongst strangers. I look 
 upon you as a brother now." 
 
 Our hero promised all he could promise, but 
 he recollected that, after all, he was but a 
 midshipman, and one without rank or station, 
 and entirely depending on his own exertions. 
 However, he tried to keep up the poor girl's 
 spirits, and, by chatting to her, keep her from 
 fretting. 
 
 " How long, Mabel," questioned young Thorn
 
 54 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 ton, " were you confined in that dismal house I 
 found you in?" 
 
 " Oh, nearly — let rae see — yes, fully a month ; 
 sometimes in the dismal vauUs. When good 
 Jean Plessis was out getting food we always went 
 helow, and he closed the trap down over us. 
 Oh, how damp and chill it was; but we were 
 well wrapped up in blankets, and he never staid 
 away more than an hour or two at most." 
 
 " I think I heard your mamma say she es- 
 caped from Lyons, and that you suffered much 
 there?" 
 
 " Oh, you can't think what we endured ! You 
 must know we were living in a very grand 
 chateau, belonging to mamma's husband, the 
 Duke de Coulancourt, who, alas ! was beheaded 
 in Paris, for fighting for the poor king. Oh, 
 my poor mamma, when Jean Plessis came from 
 Paris with the frightful intelligence, lost her 
 senses. My brother, dear brother Julien, was 
 furious and distracted. He was only fifteen; 
 he wanted to go to Paris, but Jean Plessis said
 
 THE FfaGATE AND THE LUGGER, 55 
 
 we must fly or we should perish, for the order 
 was to arrest all the Duke's family. But, alas! 
 mamma was not able to fly; we moved into 
 Lyons, thinking to be safer there, as they were 
 all Royalists. I am not able to tell you all 
 mamma suffered whilst there; she will tell you 
 herself, another time. I am now so frightened 
 and anxious about her that I can scarcely recol- 
 lect anything." 
 
 Thus the remainder of the day passed, till 
 Lieutenant Cooke's entertainers, officers and all, 
 quitted the ship, leaving the English officer to 
 make his daring passage through the hostile 
 fleet. 
 
 "Now, William, tell me all about your ad- 
 venture," said Lieutenant Cooke to his young 
 companion — little Mabel being fast asleep in a 
 berth, worn out by fatigue and great anxiety, 
 with the casket placed at her feet. 
 
 William Thornton made his superior officer 
 fully acquainted with all that had occurred, and 
 explained the manner in which they were to 
 take the Duchesse de Coulancourt on board.
 
 56 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " By Jupiter !" returned Lieutenant Cooke, 
 looking surprised, and not a little puzzled, " you 
 are a young hero, William, for an adventure 
 with Royalist Duchesses and Republican ruflfians, 
 and all of a sudden to become the protector of a 
 young girl and a valuable casket. Faith, it's a 
 very curious affair. What shall we do if cir- 
 cumstances prevent us pulling along the beach 
 where we may expect to find this unfortunate 
 lady? We may be suspected by some of the 
 nearest men of war, and, if so, the whole bay 
 along that beach is exposed to their fire. Sup- 
 posing we fail in rescuing the mother, what in 
 the name of fate is to be done with this poor 
 little child? A girl, too, on board a ship with 
 above a thousand sea bears in her — nice nurses 
 for a delicate child, eh?" 
 
 " I was thinking," said the Midshipman, " if, 
 as you say, we miss the mother, that she might 
 be received by Captain Timrains' lady and 
 daughter. They are on board the Thetis frigate, 
 which is going to Genoa. The Captain's wife and 
 daughters are to land at Malta, I understand."
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 57 
 
 " Faith, may be Captain Timmins would not 
 be very much obliged to you for troubling his 
 good lady with the care of such a delicate little 
 girl as the poor thing asleep there." 
 
 " She is only delicate from suffering and pri- 
 vation," said William Thornton ; " besides, she 
 belongs to a good English family, who will 
 receive her most willingly; and who knows 
 what's in this casket- the Duchess said there 
 were jewels of value." 
 
 "Well, by Jove! my lad," said the good- 
 humoured Lieutenant, "you are standing up 
 stoutly for your young protegee. However, 
 there's no use imagining disasters that may not 
 occur. Her mother may be rescued, and, if not, 
 we must do our best for the child, and try to 
 get her to England. Now I think of it, there 
 are two transports returning to England, at 
 anchor outside, and lots of women on board one 
 of them, so, at least, I heard. However, let us 
 get ready for a start ; it's nearly time, so wake 
 up your little charge." 
 
 It was nearly eleven o'clock ere the boat left 
 
 D 5
 
 58 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 the basin to return to the Victory. Mabel 
 Arden, carefully muffled in a boat cloak, and 
 keeping as close to her young protector as she 
 dared, was extremely aiixious, and won upon 
 the good-nature of Lieutenant Cooke by her 
 gentle, affectionate manner, and sweet, interest- 
 ing face. It was a very still, fine night, but 
 fortunately much overcast. Having passed out 
 into the inner harbour, the men pulled steadily 
 and without speaking a word, till they cleared 
 the dangerous vicinity of some of the vessels of 
 war anchored near the dock basin. Without 
 being challenged they gained the outward har- 
 bour, avoiding the line of heavy ships anchored 
 in double rows. William Thornton kept the 
 boat away from the shore, as there is no tide in 
 Toulon harbour, or in the Mediterranean, of 
 more than a few inches, and that merely caused 
 by peculiar gales of wind, they were able to 
 row close along the beach. It was scarcely pos- 
 sible to distinguish objects on the shore, so, for 
 fear those they expected might miss them, a 
 dark lantern was opened, with its light towards
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 59 
 
 the beach. They could distinctly distinguish 
 the huge hulls and masts of the nearest men of 
 war, several of them not being more than a 
 couple of hundred of yards from them. As they 
 pulled slowly along, they suddenly beheld a 
 bright light ashore; it was held up for a 
 moment only, and then all became dark again, 
 but at the same moment a hail from the nearest 
 ship came over the still waters. 
 
 " Pull in, my men," said the Lieutenant. 
 " By Jove! we are seen, and shall have a shot 
 next." 
 
 The next moment the boat's keel touched the 
 beach, close beside a ruined quay. A man came 
 forward. The midshipman knew him at once; 
 it was Jean Plessis. Mabel threw off her cloak, 
 exclaiming eagerly, in French: 
 
 " Mon Dieu ! Mon Dieu ! Where is mamma, 
 Monsieur Jean Plessis?" 
 
 The man sprang into the boat, saying: 
 "Make way out of the harbour, Monsieur; we 
 are betrayed. I will explain, — ha ! there goes 
 a gun." The same moment a ball struck the
 
 60 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 ruined wall, some four paces from them ; knock- 
 ing a heap of rubbish about, and covering them 
 with a cloud of splinters. 
 
 '* Push off. By Jove ! that's close shaving," 
 said Lieutenant Cooke; " and give way with a 
 will." 
 
 On flew the light boat, and again a flash, and 
 a prolonged report pealed over the water, the 
 shot drenching them with spray, as it actually 
 bounded over them, and tore along the beach 
 afterwards; but, vigorously urged along by the 
 hardy crew, they turned a long projecting point 
 of high rock, that effectually sheltered them 
 from further danger. The agonised Mabel, 
 bursting into tears, implored Jean Plessis to say 
 what had become of her mother. 
 
 " My poor child," said the Frenchman, with 
 great feeling in voice and manner, " don't be 
 alarmed; there is no fear of the Duchess's life, 
 but they have carried her off." 
 
 "Oh, my God! I shall never see mamma 
 again. Why, why did I leave her? If they have 
 taken her away they would have taken me too."
 
 THE FEIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 61 
 
 " How has this occurred?" said Lieutenant 
 Cooke, while the midshipman strove to soothe 
 the weeping girl. 
 
 " I will tell you, Monsieur," said Jean Plessis, 
 " and then you must put me on shore, for I 
 will never cease till I trace Madame to where 
 her enemies have taken her. She has not been, 
 I feel certain, carried off by the revolutionary 
 party, but by private enemies, who have con- 
 trived to track us to Toulon." 
 
 "Why do you think that, Monsieur Plessis?" 
 asked Lieutenant Cooke. 
 
 "I will tell you. Monsieur," replied the 
 Frenchman. " We had scarcely passed the gates, 
 and were making the best of our way to gain the 
 appointed spot — the ruined quay — when from 
 behind a low hedge half a dozen men sprang out. 
 I was instantly knocked down by a blow from 
 the butt end of a carbine, and rolled into a ditch. 
 I was quite sensible, but remained still. They 
 had seized the Duchess, she did not scream nor 
 attempt to fly. I then heard one of the men
 
 62 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 say, ' Bring up the Berlin ;' the next moment a 
 caleche with two horses came out from behind the 
 hedge through a gateway. Madame was put in- 
 side, and then the same man said : ' Parbleu ! I 
 forgot, have you finished that fellow Plessis? Do 
 not leave him t(S be hunting us out, I pray you ; 
 it's bad enough to lose the little girl.' As soon 
 as I heard these words I crept along the ditch, 
 and fled as fast as I could to save those villains 
 the trouble of knocking me on the head." 
 
 " Have you any idea," said Lieutenant Cooke, 
 " who these ruffians are?" 
 
 " I suspect they are employed by a kinsman of 
 the late Duke and next heir, who would have in- 
 herited the property, had not the Duchess's hus- 
 band some five years ago made over the whole 
 of his property to her, having had the power to 
 will it to whom he pleased. This kinsman's 
 name is Ganel-Maria Montaut. He will not 
 bring the Duchess to the guillotine, because if 
 she loses her life the estates will be seized by 
 the nation. Collet d' Herbois would destroy her
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 63 
 
 from motives of hatred and vengeance, she 
 having scorned his daring proposals, after her 
 husband's death." 
 
 " Then what do you think the best to do with 
 this poor child?" questioned William Thornton 
 anxiously, as the keel of the boat grounded upon 
 a shingly beach. 
 
 " Get her as soon as possible to England, where 
 she has wealthy relatives," said Jean Plessis, 
 " and God will reward you. The Ardens are of 
 good family ; besides, there are jewels of great 
 value in that casket you have. As to me, I will 
 never cease till I trace Madame la Duchesse, and 
 if I can I will communicate with Mademoiselle 
 Arden hereafter in England." 
 
 So saying he took the weeping girl in his arms 
 and kissed her affectionately, and then laying 
 his hand on William Thornton's arm, said em- 
 phatically : 
 
 " Never desert this little girl whilst you have 
 life and power to assist her," the next moment 
 he sprang on shore, waved his hand, and disap, 
 peared in the obscurity of the night.
 
 64 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 Mabel burst into a flood of tears, and putting 
 her little arms round young Thornton's neck, 
 exclaimed : 
 
 *'0h! my mother! my poor mother; shall I 
 never see her again. But you — you will not de- 
 sert poor Mabel !" 
 
 William Thornton kissed the cold cheek of 
 the little girl, for whom he already felt the affec- 
 tion of a brother, saying : 
 
 " Do not give way to grief, Mabel; God, who 
 has protected you through such perils, will pro- 
 tect you now, and restore your dear mother to 
 you. Call me brother, for I will shew you all 
 the affection a brother can." 
 
 " Well, upon my honour," said the lieutenant, 
 " if this is not a romance I know not what is. 
 Give way, my lads, give way, and let us get 
 on board, and thank our stars that one of those 
 round shot did not stop our logs." 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir," said Bill Saunders pulling 
 the stroke oar, and making the tough ash bend to 
 his powerful arm, whilst muttering to himself, 
 " yes, blow me if I wouldn't be a father to the 
 little thing myself."
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 65 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 In less than an hour the boat ranged up along- 
 side of the huge Victory, towering above theru 
 in the dim light like a mighty fortress, her lofty 
 masts being clearly defined in the clear blue sky. 
 Mabel was in trembling agitation as to what 
 ■would be done with her, her little heart beat- 
 ing with anxiety. 
 
 "You cannot take this child away to-night," 
 said Lieutenant Cooke to our hero, " you had 
 better place her under the care of the steward, 
 he is a steady, middle-aged man, and very kind 
 hearted. He will put her in his own berth, and
 
 66 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 to -morrow I will speak to the Admiral about her. 
 It's a strange adventure altogether." 
 
 They ascended the side of the ship, Bill Saun- 
 ders carrying Mabel in his arms as tenderly as 
 an infant. The next moment the little girl found 
 herself standing on the deck of the Victory. 
 
 The sight of this monstrous ship, her huge 
 masts towering to the sky, the lights hece and 
 there flashing from the battle lanterns, shewed 
 to the astonished child many incomprehensible 
 things. The groups of hardy tars hovering 
 round filled the mind of the young girl with awe, 
 and trembling and dismayed she grasped her 
 young protector's arm, and gazed up into his face 
 with her large intelligent eyes, so full of all her 
 little heart felt, that William Thornton began to 
 feel almost as much as she did. 
 
 Lieutenant Cooke returned with the steward. 
 
 '^ Now my dear child, " said the ofiicer, 
 " we place you for the night under the care of 
 the steward, he will shew you every attention. 
 He is a father himself, and will feel for vou as 
 for one of his own children in a like situation."
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 67 
 
 " To-morrow," whispered the midshipman, 
 " you will be placed under the care of a kind 
 lady and her daughters." 
 
 Poor Mabel, scarcely able to keep from weep- 
 ing, kissed the midshipman's hand, and bade him 
 good night in a voice that trembled with emo- 
 tion, and then Mr. Osborn, the steward, took her 
 under his care. 
 
 William Thornton, who never quitted his hold 
 of the casket, proceeded to his berth ana locked 
 it up carefully in his chest. Several of his com- 
 rades tormented him with inquiries, but hastily 
 swallowing his supper and a glass of grog, he 
 tumbled into his berth, turning a deaf ear to all 
 their questions. 
 
 Midshipmen always sleep under every variety 
 of disturbance, either of body or mind; so 
 William Thornton slept in ten minutes as if he 
 had not had a night's rest for twelve months. 
 
 How long he rested he knew not, but he was 
 awoke by the voice of Charles Pole shouting in 
 his ear, " You are wanted, William, in the state 
 room."
 
 68 THE FRIGATE AND TEE LUGGER. 
 
 He sprung out of bed and began dressing as 
 if for a wager. 
 
 " Why did you let me sleep so long, Charley, 
 eh?" 
 
 " Because Lieutenant Cooke said you wanted 
 a good snooze, as you had none the night before. 
 "Why, Thornton, you are likely to turn out quite 
 a hero of romance; there's Saunders been spin- 
 ning a frightful yarn of your having shot a lot 
 of repi^licans and released two princesses, and I 
 don't know how many duchesses, and gained a 
 casket of crown jewels." 
 
 " Stuff and nonsense, Charley. I'm off. I'll 
 tell you all about it when I come back. I'll get 
 Saunders' grog stopped for spinning such con- 
 founded yarns," and running up the stairs, he 
 made his way towards the Admiral's state room, 
 but O'Loughlin interrupted his course, shaking 
 him by the hand. 
 
 " Faith, your a broth of a boy, William, to be 
 galivanting duchesses and distressed damsels 
 before you are fledged. Go on and prosper, by 
 the time your beard grows you'll do. But be off
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 69 
 
 ■with you, and mind your P's and Q's before the 
 Admiral." 
 
 He next encountered Lieutenant Cooke coming 
 from the Admiral's cabin. 
 
 " Well, Thornton," said the lieutenant good 
 humouredly, " how do you feel now ? Your little 
 protegee has been making a hundred enquiries 
 after you, she is sitting at breakfast with his 
 lordship, who, strange to say, after listening to 
 her account of herself, seems to know a great 
 deal about her family. But go in, they are 
 "waiting for you." 
 
 The young midshipman entered the Admiral's 
 state room, and at once perceived little Mabel 
 sitting at the breakfast table with the kind- 
 hearted old Admiral. On his entrance she 
 sprang from her chair with an exclamation of 
 joy, and ran to him taking his hand, saying : 
 
 *' Oh ! dear brother William, how glad I am 
 to see you, if my dear mamma were here how 
 happy I should feel;'* and then with childish 
 innocence, quite ignorant of the etiquete between 
 an Admiral and a midshipman, she added, " have
 
 70 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 you breakfasted? Do come and have some, his 
 lordship is so kind to me, and knows who 1 am." 
 
 William Thornton's face flushed as he looked 
 into the Admiral's fine expressive features, and 
 Lord Hood, who was then in his sixty-ninth 
 year, said with a good humoured siuile: 
 
 "Sit down, Master Thornton, sit down; I 
 dare say you have not breakfasted, and I wish to 
 ask you a few questions." 
 
 William Thornton sat down next Mabel, eye- 
 ing a cold turkey and a ham with a side glance. 
 The steward was in attendance as well as the 
 Admiral's own special attendant, and very shortly 
 our hero found himself doing justice to fare very 
 rarely in those days exposed to the always vora- 
 cious appetite of a midshipman. 
 
 He then, at the Admiral's request, gave a dis* 
 tinct account of the events of the previous night, 
 to which the Admiral listened with a great deal of 
 interest expressed on his features. 
 
 " If I am not very much mistaken," said Lord 
 Hood, " this young lady is the daughter of a 
 once very dear friend, though a much younger
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 71 
 
 man than myself at the time of our intimacy. 
 Do you remember your father, my dear young 
 lady?" asked the Admiral, looking at Mabel. 
 
 "No, Monsieur," said Mabel; "I only re- 
 member my second father, the Duke; he was so 
 good and so kind, and so loved mamma." 
 
 " This young lady," continued Lord Hood, 
 " is no doubt the daughter of Hugh Granby 
 Arden, whose widow I know married a French 
 Duke. I believe she was induced to do so under 
 very peculiar circumstances. If I am right her 
 daughter is a cousin of Master Howard Ether- 
 ton." 
 
 William Thornton started and looked sur- 
 prised. 
 
 " Ah !" said the Admiral, " I see you are not 
 aware that Howard Etherton's father, before he 
 came to the title and estates of the Ethertons, was 
 called Arden ; in fact, he was brother to this young 
 lady'sfather. However there is no time, neither is 
 this a period for investigating these circumstances. 
 What we must now do, is to procure a suitable 
 asylum for Miss Arden till she can be restored
 
 72 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 to her mother, or taken to England and placed 
 under the care of her uncle. Therefore, you 
 will at nice take her on board the Thetis frigate, 
 Captain Timmins has his wife and daughters 
 with him. His good lady will take charge of the 
 child, and provide her with proper garments; 
 one of his girls is about the same age. But stay ! 
 I will write a few lines to Captain Timmins ; he 
 will remain with the fleet till we take possession 
 of Toulon, which T expect to do in a few days." 
 
 The young girl got up, and going over to the 
 Admiral took his hand, and would have kissed it, 
 but he stooped and pressed her little pale cheek, 
 saying he felt much interested about her, and 
 would, when he had an opportunity, cause in- 
 quiries to be made after her mother. 
 
 An hour afterwards "William Thornton, with 
 Mabel by his side, was steering the Victory's gig, 
 pulled by four seamen, for the Thetis frigate. 
 
 Captain Timmins was an exceedingly kind 
 man, and a thorough good sailor. Nevertheless, 
 we must admit, though nominated captain of his 
 ship, as long as his wife remained on board
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 73 
 
 he was only second in command. He was a 
 small, spare man, with a mild patient expression 
 of countenance. Mrs. Captain Timrains (she 
 always insisted on being styled captain, firmly 
 believing that if necessary she could command, 
 and actually work the Thetis), was in person the 
 very opposite of her spouse, being tall and portly 
 in person; carried her head high, and always 
 interlarded her conversations with sea terms, not 
 always, however, made use of in the right places. 
 Notwithstanding a few follies of this sort, she 
 was in reality a very kind and generous person; 
 she was not more than five or six-and-thirty, and 
 had a very pleasing countenance. She was also 
 fond of dress. 
 
 It was a fine, lovely morning, though somewhat 
 hot, the quarter-decks of the various ships were 
 protected by snow-white awnings. A light 
 westerly breeze played over the bright blue sea, 
 the high land to the south and east of Toulon 
 looked almost within grasp, so clear and fine was 
 the atmosphere. 
 
 Mrs. Captain Timmins was walking the 
 
 VOL. I. E
 
 74 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 quarter-deck with her two daughters, her worthy 
 spouse looking through his glass at the various 
 ships of war. 
 
 " What boat is that pulling for us, Timmins?'* 
 asked the Captain's lady. 
 
 " It's a gig from the Victory, with a raid and 
 a little boy in it," said the Captain. 
 
 "Bless me!" returned the lady, " what little 
 fellow can that be, the Victory has no little boys 
 on board?" 
 
 *' We shall soon know," replied her spouse, 
 "for here they are along-side." 
 
 The ladder was let down, and leading Mabel 
 by the hand, William Thornton advanced along 
 the deck of the Thetis, and, touching his cap to 
 the Captain, presented the Admiral's note. 
 
 In the mean time the mother and daughters 
 were scrutinizing the pale and thin face of poor, 
 sad little Mabel. 
 
 " Dear me ! Very singular — very ; quite ro- 
 mantic. Poor little thing!" muttered Captain 
 Timmins, quite loud enough for his good lady 
 and daughters to hear.
 
 THE FillGATE AND THE LUGGER. 75 
 
 " Mary, my dear," he said aloud, finishing the 
 perusal of the note from the Admiral, '' his lord- 
 ship has sent this little girl," looking at Mabel, 
 " to stay with us for a few days." 
 
 " Bless me I" said the Captain's wife, '* little 
 girl! Do you mean to say this little thin boy is 
 a girl? — if so, she is badly rigged, not ship 
 shape." 
 
 "Exactly, my dear, exactly. The Admiral 
 wishes you to make her ship shape, and be kind 
 to her for a few days. She is the daughter of a 
 duchess, and fled from Toulon for her life, and 
 this young gentleman — Master Thornton — was 
 mainly instrumental in saving her life." 
 
 " If she were the daughter of a peasant," said 
 the lady, with a grand air, but a most kind 
 look, as she advanced and took Mabel's hand, 
 " being unfortunate, she demands our attention, 
 under the flag of old England. Beg pardon, 
 my dear, do you speak English?" Mrs. Cap- 
 tain Timmins was afraid that the fine speech 
 she was about to make for the edification of her 
 
 husband, the second Lieutenant of the Thetis, 
 
 E 2
 
 76 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 who was standing near, and a solitary mid, who 
 was regarding Mrs. Captain Timmins at a safe 
 distance, for it must be confessed she kept the 
 mids in awful subjection. 
 
 "Oh yes, Madame," said Mabel; "my f\ither 
 was English and so is mama." 
 
 " Dear me !" said the Captain's wife, sur- 
 prised, " an English Duchess amongst those 
 horrid Republicans; but come into my state 
 room, Angelina and Seraphina are about the same 
 height, and you shall be thoroughly re-fitted 
 and rigged from their stores." Then, looking 
 into the thoughtful, handsome features of William 
 Thornton, whose fine, manly figure struck her 
 at once, she continued : " And you, young gentle- 
 man, accompany us. I will order the steward 
 to place refreshments on the table, you will then 
 tell me all about this dear, sensible- looking 
 child, whom I wish to present to you before you 
 leave in a trim more becoming her age and sex." 
 
 Taking Mabel by the hand, the entire party 
 descended into the main cabin. The two girls 
 then took their young companion into their pri-
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 77 
 
 vate cabin, and the Captain and his lady, having 
 ordered wine to be placed on the table, requested 
 our hero to satisfy their curiosity respecting his 
 adventures the preceding night. 
 
 Whilst the midshipman was satisfying their 
 curiosity, little Mabel was undergoing the neces- 
 sary metamorphos's from a little boy into a very 
 sweet, interesting little girl. Captain Timmins's 
 two daughters were kind and engaging, and 
 they soon succeeded in winning the confidence 
 of our poor heroine. When introduced into the 
 cabin, all were delighted with the change. 
 Thornton was surprised, and soon after rose to 
 take leave of his little protegee. The tears were 
 in Mabel's eyes, but she bore the parting with 
 fortitude, for the midshipman promised to visit 
 her whenever he could. It was not without pain 
 that he kissed her cheek and bade her farewell. 
 
 Returning on board the Victory, Thornton's 
 comrades gathered around him, fully determined 
 to hear his adventures ift full. 
 
 " What a racket they all make," observed 
 Master Etherton, with a sneer, "about a brat
 
 78 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 of a girl, because she calls herself the daughter 
 of a Duchess — a French Duchess. There are 
 no titles in France now — an adventuress most 
 likely." 
 
 " You are very likely to make a very great 
 mistake, Howard Etherton," remarked our hero, 
 quietly j "this child is an English girl, and, 1 
 am told, bears the same name as your father 
 did before he took that of Etherton." 
 
 " What's that you say, Master Thornton?" 
 exclaimed young Etherton, with a start, and 
 changing colour. " My father's name was 
 Arden — as good a name as any in England; 
 but we knew of no other branch of our family 
 bearing that name." 
 
 " You are in error, nevertheless, Master 
 Etherton," returned our hero, "for this young 
 lady's mother, the Duchesse de Coulancourt, had 
 previously been married to a Mr. Granby Arden j 
 the Admiral knew him intimately, and this little 
 girl we are talking about is his child, Mabel 
 Arden." 
 
 " A confounded impostor," passionately ex-
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 79 
 
 claimed young Etherton, with a very pale cheek, 
 and with a vehemence that quite amazed his 
 comrades. " Mr. Granby Arden was my f^ither's 
 brother. He was never married, and died 
 abroad — so that, as I said before, this Duchess 
 is an impostor, and her daughter a nameless 
 brat, thrust upon you, seeing what a soft head 
 you possessed," and he laughed mockingly as 
 he said the words. 
 
 " I have a great mind to try," said William 
 Thornton, angrily, " whether your head pos- 
 sesses the same qualification that I know your 
 heart doesj and if you use such language again 
 in my hearing I will do so, let the consequences 
 be what they may. I have done it once before, 
 but if I have to repeat the lesson you will re- 
 member it." 
 
 "Be the powers of war! what's all this 
 squabbling amongst you unruly youngsters?" ex- 
 claimed Lieutenant O'Loughlin, who, unobserved, 
 had heard the whole dialogue, and who knew 
 very well that if our hero promised a fellow 
 mid a thrashing, he would faithfully stick to his
 
 80 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 word. Now the Admiral was extremely strict 
 with his midshipmen, and always severely pun- 
 ished both parties who infringed the rules. 
 Fighting was on no account allowed. 
 
 " Well, Mr. O'Loughlin," said William Thorn- 
 ton, "what would you have me do? Here is a 
 young lady, protected by the Admiral, who was 
 an intimate friend of her father's, and Master 
 Etherton takes it into his head to call her 
 mother an impostor, and herself a nameless 
 brat." 
 
 " Oh, by the Immortals ! he'll put his foot in 
 it in earnest," said the Lieutenant, and, turning 
 to the cowed Howard Etherton, he added, 
 " Faith, my lad, you must have more pluck than 
 I ever gave you credit for, thus to give the lie 
 to his Lordship." 
 
 "I did not give the lie, Mr. O'Loughlin," 
 said Howard Etherton, " to anybody. I spoke 
 to the best of my belief. I ought to know more 
 of my family than anyone here." 
 
 " Bedad, you're right there, my lad, for the 
 devil a hair anyone here cares for your family.
 
 THE FRrCATE AND THE LUGGER. 81 
 
 Tou may be cousin-Ger.nan to Master Noah for 
 all I know; but, if the Admiral knew that a 
 young lady he acknowledg3s and protects, was 
 called an impostor and a brat, be gor! I 
 would'nt be in your skin for a trifle; but come 
 with me, William, I want to talk to you a bit," 
 and, taking the midshipman by the arm, he 
 forced him to leave his companions. 
 
 At the expiration of two or three days, the 
 British fleet became in a state of intense expec- 
 tation and excitement, the Admiral having 
 determined to land troops and take possession of 
 the forts commanding the ships in the harbour, 
 for intelligence had arrived of the surrrender 
 of Marseilles to General Carteau and his army, 
 whilst Rear-Admiral St. Julien manned the 
 forts to the left of the harbour, to oppose the 
 entrance of the British fleet. 
 
 Captain Elphinstone, of the "Robust," was en- 
 trusted with the command of the expedition 
 against the forts, with fifteen hundred soldiers 
 and two hundred marines and sailors; Lieu- 
 tenant O'Loughlin and our hero being permitted 
 
 £ 5
 
 82 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 by the Admiral to volunteer on that expedition. 
 This was the third time William Thornton was 
 exposed to the fire of an enemy's guns. 
 
 It was not without a quicker pulsation of the 
 heart, both from the excitement and the novelty 
 of the affair, that young Thornton leaped from 
 the boat upon the beach, and gazed up at the 
 heights of Toulon that they were to storm, 
 which were full six hundred feet high, rugged, 
 and, to judge from the crumbling of the rocks 
 under their feet, extremely difficult of ascent. 
 
 *' Hurrah ! by dad !" said Lieutenant O'Lough- 
 lin to his young companion, the Midshipman, 
 " this is one foot forward and two backwards. 
 Be the powers ! I was near going with that big 
 fellow," as a huge rock gave way under his feet, 
 and thundered down with a cloud of dust upon 
 those following, forcing them to jump nimbly 
 out of the way. 
 
 The forts keeping up an incessant cannonade, 
 killed and wounded many, but still the hardy 
 sailors pressed onwards, with incessant cheering; 
 at times gaily laughing as a comrade clutched at
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 83 
 
 a rock which gave way, and he and it rolled down 
 together for several yards. 
 
 " You're a trump, William," said the Lieu- 
 tenant, as a ball tore up the ground within a 
 yard of the daring boy, who, with a bound, 
 sprang over a deep fissure, and waved his cap 
 to some of the tars of the "Victory" to follow, 
 whilst a cloud of dust, stones, and gravel 
 covered the ascending party. But the forts 
 were gallantly stormed, and, after a fierce con- 
 test, the British remained in possession. 
 
 " You are a brave and gallant lad," said Cap- 
 tain Elphinstone, putting his hand upon young 
 Thornton's shoulder, as, besmeared with dust 
 and clay, without covering to the head, and his 
 jacket cut in several places by musket balls. 
 He made his appearance before the Captain, 
 having just returned from bearing a message to 
 the officer commanding the troops through a fierce 
 fire of musketry — "go on as you have begun, 
 and, if God spares you, you will be an honour 
 to your country."
 
 84 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 It was a glorious sight, the following day, 
 standing on the ramparts of the f')rt, to behold 
 the entrance of the British fleet into the out- 
 ward harbour of Toulan, where they came to an 
 anchor.
 
 THE FEIQATE AND THE LUGGER. 85 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 As strict matter of history, we must refrain from 
 recording the events that followed the taking of 
 Toulon by the British. It will be sufficient to 
 say that as a midshipman William Thornton so 
 distinguished himself, receiving only one slight 
 wound, that he won the approbation and elicited 
 the admiration of not only Vice- Admiral Lord 
 Hood, but several of the other Commanders. 
 During the proceedings, Sir Sidney Smith 
 arrived from Smyrna in a small latine rigged 
 vessel, which he had purchased and manned 
 with over forty British seamen. In storming a
 
 86 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 fort, the gallantry of William Thornton attracted 
 Sir Sidney, and chancing to render him an im- 
 portant service during the attack, he afterwards 
 solicited the Admiral's permission to retain the 
 midshipman with him; and finally so satisfied 
 ■was Sir Sidney with his skill and cool courage, 
 that he entrusted the command of his little craft, 
 the " Swallow," to our hero. 
 
 Whilst the British were in possession of Tou- 
 lon, William Thornton exerted himself to the ut- 
 most in endeavours to trace the unfortunate 
 Duchess de Coulancourt and Jean Plessis, but in 
 vain. The frigate commanded by Captain Tim- 
 mins had sailed for Genoa and Malta, but little 
 Mabel had been placed in a cottage without 
 Toulon, under the care of a royalist family of dis- 
 tinction, a Madame Yolney and daughters, who 
 were very kind to her. Our hero visited her 
 several times, and the joy of the little girl was 
 great indeed when she beheld him. She wept 
 incessantly after her mother, but though pale and 
 thin, she appeared to be improving in health. 
 
 At length the British Admiral found it neces-
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 87 
 
 sary to evacuate Toulon, and tlien a scene of in- 
 describable confusion and dismay took place, for 
 the unfortunate royalists well knew the fate that 
 awaited them from the savage Commissioners of 
 the Republic, and that monster, the deputy 
 Carrier. Madame Yolney, her two daughters, 
 and Mabel were received on board the " Ro- 
 bust," whilst nearly four hundred fugitives were 
 taken on board the " Princess Royal," bearing 
 the flag of Rear- Admiral Goodall. 
 
 The important service of destroying the ships 
 and magazines was entrusted to Captain Sir 
 Sidney Smith. Our hero and Charles Pole who 
 accompanied him in the " Swallow" tender, 
 prepared to attend upon Sir Sidney in his 
 fearfully dangerous expedition. It was now the 
 month of December, the weather wild and 
 stormy, the wind north-west and extremely 
 cold. 
 
 Sir Sidney attended by the " Swallow," three 
 Spanish and three English gunboats, one com- 
 manded by Lieutenant O'Loughlin, proceeded to 
 the arsenal to prepare whatever combustible ma-
 
 88 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 terials were required for the work of devastation 
 he was bent upon. By this time the dockyards 
 had substituted the tricolour for the white cock- 
 ade. 
 
 *' By Jove, William," said Charles Pole, 
 " they have turned loose all the galley slaves, 
 and they say there are eight hundred of them ; 
 they seem inclined to commence hostilities. 
 Those gentlemen, I suppose, now consider them- 
 selves worthy citizens of regenerated France." 
 
 " We'll soon shew them, Charley my boy, a 
 sight that will rapidly develop their ideas of 
 liberty and equality," and forthwith he placed 
 the little tender in a position so that her guns, 
 could completely command those on shore. Lieu- 
 tenant O'Loughlin did the same with his gun- 
 boat. This proceeding awed the turbulent galley 
 slaves. Whilst performing this manoeuvre the 
 two boats were exposed to the shots and shells 
 fired from the Fort and the neighbouring 
 hills, which Charles Pole declared was throwing 
 a light upon the affair. Now and then the Re- 
 publicans, posted in the houses, opened fire upon
 
 THE IRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 89 
 
 Sir Sidney's party, busy at their operations, 
 which induced our hero to try the effect of one 
 of his guns pointed at the upper story of a house, 
 the inhabitants of which had been remarkably 
 civil and liberal with their shots. The ball went 
 crashing through the wall, knocking the bricks 
 and mortar in a shower into their faces — this 
 dispersed them in double quick time ; but as the 
 shades of night rapidly concealed the movements 
 of those on shore, hundreds came down from the 
 hills, and commenced rapid discharges of musk- 
 etry. 
 
 " Come my lads," said the " Swallow's" com- 
 mander, "they are getting ready; just give 
 them a dose of grape." 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir, we will pepper the rascals' 
 jackets," said Bill Saunders, applying the match 
 to a gun well-pointed, which drove the assailants 
 into the wildest confusion. " Well done. Swal- 
 low, go it my lads, was shouted from some of 
 the party at work ashore; and then the cry 
 arose, " Here's the ' Yulcan.' " 
 
 William Thornton turned round, and sure
 
 90 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 enough beheld the "Vulcan," fire-ship, Captain 
 Stacey, entering the basin towed by several boats. 
 
 The Commander placed the " Vulcan" in a 
 masterly manner, right across the tier of the men 
 of war. About two hours afterwards, the " Swal- 
 low" and the gun-boats were ordered to withdraw. 
 They had scarcely receded a few hundred yards, 
 when the trains laid to the different magazines 
 were fired, and the flames ascended in terrific 
 grandeur; but unfortunately the fire-ship, the 
 "Vulcan," from an accident, also ignited, and 
 burst into a sheet of flame awful to behold. 
 
 The effect of this tremendous light cast over 
 the whole adjoining waters, and lighting up 
 the basin and town near it like noon-day, was 
 extraordinary. 
 
 The Republicans now distinctly seeing the 
 situation of the British, set up furious outcries 
 and shouts of vengeance, opening, at the same 
 time, a terrific fire. 
 
 "Well, this is hot work enough, Charley," 
 said -our hero, regarding the scene before him 
 with wonder and admiration. They were
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 91 
 
 within fifty yards of the " Union" gun-boat, 
 Lieutenant O'Loughlin, and astern of her was 
 another gun-boat. So vivid and brilliant were 
 the flames, that every feature of the counte- 
 nances of those on board the boats were dis- 
 tinctly recognisable. At this moment, as our 
 hero was ordering the crew to drop the trailed 
 latine sail forward, an awful and astounding 
 explosion took place. The " Swallow" reeled 
 under the shock, apparently lifted from the 
 waters and dashed down again, the crew thrown 
 one over t.ie other. Regaining his feet, be- 
 wildered by the shock, William Thornton per- 
 ceived the "Union" sinking, and the other gun- 
 boat astern actually in pieces, having been 
 blown into the air.* 
 
 Immediately, our hero leaped into the boat 
 they were towing, and reached the side of the 
 sinking gun-boat, picking up Lieut. O'Loughlin 
 and the rest of the crew, excepting three that 
 had been previously killed. 
 
 "Am I all together, William?" exclaimed 
 
 * Fact. See James's " Naval Historj."
 
 92 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 Lieutenant O'Loughlin; " for, by St. Patrick! 
 I felt as if every limb I had went sporting 
 diflf'erent ways. What was it — an earthquake?" 
 
 " I can't say ; it shook us nearly to pieces, 
 dismounted our two guns, and rolled our main- 
 yard out of us." 
 
 " Thank God !" exclaimed Sir Sidney Smith, 
 pulling up in an eight-oared gig, " that so few 
 lives have been sacrificed by that horrible ex- 
 plosion." 
 
 " What was the cause of the explosion, Sir 
 Sidney?" demanded Lieutenant O'Loughlin, 
 giving himself a shake to satisfy himself that 
 he was all right. 
 
 " Those accursed Spaniards," said Captain 
 Smith, " instead of scuttling the ' Iris' frigate, 
 set fire to her, and she had some thousand 
 barrels of gunpowder on board; but make way 
 for the basin, we must complete what those 
 Spaniards have only partly begun." 
 
 The wind had now lulled, but numerous 
 boats took the vessels in tow; but, on again 
 approaching the basin, they found the boom
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 93 
 
 was thrown across the narrow entrance, and 
 such an incessant volley of musketry was kept 
 up, that they were compelled to abandon the 
 enterprise. 
 
 As Charles Pole stood beside young Tliornton, 
 he received a musket ball in his left shoulder, 
 that threw him on the deck, and as the mid- 
 shipman stooped to raise him, O'Loughlin, who 
 was standing directly behind him, received a 
 slight wound on the side of the head. 
 
 " Bad cess to you," said the Irishman, as he 
 bound a handkerchief round his head, and 
 assisted William Thornton to raise Charles 
 Pole, whom they wanted to take below, but 
 he would not listen to them. So, staunching 
 the wound as well as they could, he re.nained 
 on deck. 
 
 Having performed all they possibly could, 
 and fired the two seventy-fours, the " Hero" 
 and the " Themistocles," whose flames added 
 to the horrors of the scene, tliough Sir Sidney 
 humanely landed all their crews. They were 
 now preparing to rejoin the ships outside, when
 
 91 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 another terrific explosion took place, by the 
 blowing up of the powder vessel, the frigate 
 " Montreal." The little " Swallow" and her 
 boats, were at that moment in the midst of 
 a horrible shower of falling timbers, which 
 caused the water surrounding them to foam 
 and boil as if a volcano was beneath, yet, sin- 
 gular to relate, they received not the slightest 
 injury. 
 
 The scene at this moment was awfully grand 
 and horrible. The two seventy-fours in the 
 inner road were in a pyramid of flame, which 
 lighted up the shores on each side with a vivid 
 distinctness. The heights were crowded with 
 human beings, and the various forts were 
 blazing away, though doing very little damage. 
 
 In the midst of this terrific scene the troops 
 were rapidly evacuating the town, under the 
 able management of Captain Elphinstone. 
 Numbers of boats were towing out the " Coura- 
 geux," whilst the British ship the " Conflagra- 
 tion" was set on fire, it being impossible to 
 get her out.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 95 
 
 "When the unfortunate Royalist inhabitants 
 found that the British were evacuating the 
 town, they deserted their houses, and every 
 article they possessed, and a scene commenced 
 which those who witnessed could never forget — 
 a fearful massacre that stained Republican 
 France with shame and reproach to future 
 times. On the way to the shore the wretched 
 fugitives were cut in two by the balls showered 
 after them — mothers, with infants clinging to 
 their breasts, were cut mercilessly to pieces; 
 neither sex nor age were spared by those in- 
 human butchers. To the honour of our coun- 
 trymen, let it be remembered that above 5,640 
 men, women, and children, were received, and 
 every attention paid them, on board the British 
 vessels of war. 
 
 Amidst all these horrors, the little " Swal- 
 low," Sir Sidney Smith's latine-rigged tender, 
 pursued her way to her anchorage outside, fired 
 upon as it passed by the two forts, Bolognier 
 and Aiguilette, but the shot being ill-directed, 
 did her no mischief.
 
 96 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 Thus ended the famous expedition against 
 Toulon. We leave the readers of history to 
 form their own judgment with respect to its 
 utility, and the good it caused to either Eng- 
 land or Royalist France. 
 
 The day following, William Thornton ob- 
 tained permission to visit little Mabel on board 
 the " Robust." 
 
 The " Robust" was commanded by Captain 
 Keith Elphinstone, as brave and kind an officer 
 as any in the fleet. He had noticed the gal- 
 lantry of our hero the preceding night, and 
 knew that Sir Sidney Smith had taken a most 
 especial liking to him. There were over three 
 hundred unhappy fugitives, deprived of every- 
 thing but the garments on their backs, on 
 board the "Robust;" numbers of them were 
 assembled on the decks, gazing upon the land 
 they were soon to leave for ever, others for 
 long years. 
 
 Madame Volney, her two daughters, and 
 Mabel Arden, had a cabin to themselves. 
 Madame was the widow of Rear- Admiral Vol-
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 97 
 
 ney, a most determiDed Royalist, who perished 
 on the first breaking out of the Revolution, 
 whilst in Paris attending upon the King, whom 
 he earnestly implored to fly and trust hiaiself 
 to the fleet, which, at that time, was almost 
 entirely in favour of the monarch. 
 
 Madame Yolney, luckily, was received on 
 board the " Robust" before the evacuation of the 
 town, and was able to secure a considerable 
 amount of property in ready money, many 
 valuables and jewels. 
 
 She knew the Duchesse de Coulancourt by 
 name, having heard of her misfortunes and per- 
 secutions in Lyons; she therefore gladly and 
 kindly received her daughter under her protec- 
 tion. Both her own daughters were grown up 
 — one was seventeen, the other, twenty; both 
 amiable and kind-hearted girls. 
 
 It is not very often that midshipmen are 
 
 noticed by Captains of 74-gun ships, but 
 
 Captain Elphinstone was an exception. He 
 
 was remarkably kind to all his young gentle- 
 
 VOL. I. F
 
 98 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 men ; prepossessed in favour of our hero, he re- 
 ceived him with great cordiality, spoke of the pro- 
 ceedings of the previous night, and congratulated 
 him on his singular escape from the blowing-up 
 of the " Iris." Our hero answered all Captain 
 Elphinstone's questions modestly, but with a 
 manly, open manner that greatly pleased him. 
 The Captain was not aware that the little girl 
 under the protection of Madame Volney was 
 English. William Thornton, therefore, gave 
 the Captain a brief outline of her unfortunate 
 story, and the manner in which he had become 
 acquainted with her. 
 
 " Oh ! I understand now," said Captain 
 Elphinstone, "you, then, are the midshipman 
 that accompanied Lieutenant Cooke into the 
 town, and who behaved so well on that occa- 
 sion; I heard that a midshipman from the 
 Victory did accompany the Lieutenant, but I 
 did not hear the name."' 
 
 After some more questions on the subject of 
 little Mabel, he was permitted to descend to the 
 cabin to see her.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 99 
 
 As he had several times visited Madame 
 Volney when residing in her cottage without 
 the town, he was no stranger. 
 
 As usual, the little girl flew to his side, em- 
 bracing him with the warmest affection, looking 
 up into his handsome features, with tears in her 
 eyes, saying : 
 
 "Oh, dear brother! how rejoiced I am to see 
 you alive and well. All last night I could not 
 close my eyes; the terrible noise of the firing, 
 the frightful glare of the flumes, seen from our 
 cabin windows, terrified us to death; and I 
 guessed you were in the midst of it all, and I 
 prayed that you might be spared." 
 
 " That is quite true, Mr. Thornton," said 
 Madame Volney, with a sigh; "none of us 
 could sleep, or indeed lie down; the thoughts of 
 the horrors enacting on shore, the misery we 
 knew our poor defenceless countrymen and 
 women were suffering, made our hearts ache; 
 and then, Avhen the boats came alongside with 
 the unhappy fugitives, and we heard their cries 
 
 F 2
 
 100 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 and lamentations, our sufferings nearly equalled 
 theirs." 
 
 " This dear child did nothing but think of 
 you," said Mademoiselle Agatha Volney, the 
 youngest daughter, a very pretty and engaging 
 girl, and who looked upon our hero with sur- 
 prise and admiration, that one so young and so 
 gentle in manner and appearance, could be 
 mixed up amid such horrible scenes as the 
 preceding night must have witnessed. 
 
 " I fear indeed," observed our hero, '* that 
 hundreds of unfortunate Royalists suffered last 
 night, and most unfortunate it was that we 
 were forced to evacuate the town; but with the 
 force remaining at the disposal of the Admiral, 
 it was utterly impossible, I understand, to hold 
 the place." 
 
 The conversation then turned upon the 
 future proceedings of the British fleet, and 
 what was to become of the ill-fated fugitives 
 on board the British ships. Madame Yolney 
 declared it was her intention to procure a 
 passage to London in some merchant vessel,
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. lOl 
 
 and proposed to our hero that Mabel should 
 continue with her till she should be claimed 
 by her relatives in England. 
 
 Poor Mabel could scarcely refrain from tears. 
 
 " Is there no hope, then," she anxiously ex- 
 claimed, "of hearing some intelligence of my 
 beloved mamma? Oh! are we never to meet 
 again?" 
 
 " Do not grieve, dear Mabel," soothingly 
 urged William Thornton ; " though we may be 
 baffled here in gaining some trace of her, yet 
 depend on it Jean Plessis, faithful and devoted 
 as he is, will never rest till he comes on the 
 track of those who carried her off. She will 
 know you are safe, and taken to your relatives 
 in England, and, when released herself, she will 
 no doubt seek to reach England to rejoin you." 
 
 Mabel listened and sighed. It was a bad 
 prospect for the poor girl, and when William 
 Thornton kissed her, and, with great affection 
 in his manner and tone, bade her and Madame 
 Yolney farewell for a time, she burst into a
 
 102 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 passionate flood of tears, and, running into her 
 6erth, hid her face upon her pillow. 
 
 " She is a most sensitive child," said Madame 
 Volney's daughter; "and though only twelve 
 years old, has all the thoughts and feelings of a 
 far maturer age." 
 
 " Well, I trust and hope," said the midship- 
 man, '* that time will do its usual work, and 
 reduce the violence of her present feelings. 
 She is very young, and if her relatives receive 
 her kindly, it will tend greatly to obliterate the 
 memory of the past."
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 103 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 A DAY or two after our hero's visit to Mabel, 
 he received orders to attend the Admiral, who 
 required his presence in the cabin. 
 
 Lord Hood was alone, sitting at a table 
 covered with papers, letters, and despatches. 
 His Lordship looked up, pointed with the pen 
 in his hand to a seat, and then finished the 
 letter he was employed upon when our hero 
 entered. His secretary, the moment before, 
 bad left the cabin. 
 
 After a few minutes, Lord Hood looked up, 
 and laying down his pen, said :
 
 104 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " Well, Master Thornton, how is your little 
 protegee^ Miss Arden?" 
 
 " Greatly grieved, my Lord ; she continues 
 to bewail the disappearance of her mother, and 
 takes her lonely situation much to heart." 
 
 "Yes, poor child!" said the Admiral, in a 
 kind, thoughtful, tone, " she must feel her 
 orphan state. I am interested in her, for her 
 father did me a great service at one time — as 
 important a service as one man can render 
 another; I would, therefore, befriend his child " 
 
 " Pardon me, my Lord," timidly observed our 
 hero, " but Master Howard Etherton declares 
 that Mr. Hugh Granby Arden, his uncle, was 
 never married, and died abroad." 
 
 " Then he states that which is not the fact," 
 returned Lord Hood, sternly; "at least, with 
 respect to his not being married. I was aware 
 he died abroad — he died in France. H(jwever, 
 I sent for you to let you know that I have 
 appointed Lieutenant O'Loughlin to take the 
 command of the French 18-gun corvette ' Ba- 
 bet,' captured in Toulon. He is to take her
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 105 
 
 to England, and will sail in company with the 
 other captured ships. This is, of course, only 
 a temporary command, and I will also place 
 you in her." 
 
 William Thornton's cheek flushed with de- 
 light, as he started from his seat with surprise. 
 
 " The ' Babet,' however, "^jcontinued Lord 
 Hood, '^ has scarcely half her proper number 
 of guns, for she was fitting out when seized; 
 and her complement of men must be small, for 
 we cannot spare more. I have communicated 
 with Admiral Volney's widow, and she is quite 
 rejoiced to take her passage in the ' Babet' to 
 England; Miss Arden will thus be protected 
 and taken care of, and you will have the satis- 
 faction of personally seeing her restored to her 
 relatives, which I am sure will gratify you ex- 
 ceedingly." 
 
 " Indeed, my Lord," put in the midshipman 
 
 with enthusiasm, " you could not confer upon 
 
 me a greater favour, and I trust I shall be 
 
 worthy of your Lordship's generous kindness." 
 
 " You have behaved very well, young man," 
 
 F 5
 
 106 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGEB. 
 
 said the Admiral, kindly, '* and Sir Sidney 
 Smith is highly pleased with your gallantry 
 and coolness in that daring enterprise of his; 
 he offers to take you with him, but I think 
 you will prefer the appointment and trust, I 
 now propose to you/' 
 
 "For little Mabel Arden's sake, my Lord, 
 infinitely. Nevertheless, I feel exceedingly 
 grateful to Captain Sir Sidney Smith for his 
 offers of service. He said something to me, 
 yesterday of this, and, not knowing your Lord- 
 ship's generous intentions, I expressed myself 
 delighted with the promotion he promised me." 
 
 **Well, your absence will only be for the 
 voyage," said Lord Hood ; "" you will rejoin this 
 ship by the first vessel coming out, as will also 
 Lieutenant O'Loughlin." 
 
 After a few more observations and directions 
 from the Admiral, William Thornton retired, 
 greatly delighted, and with permission to pro- 
 ceed to the "Robust," to impart the intelligence 
 he had received to Madame Yolney and Mabel 
 Arden.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 107 
 
 Whilst William Thornton was paying his 
 visit on board the "Robust," Master Howard 
 Etherton was extremely busy writing a long 
 letter home to go along with the Admiral's 
 despatches to England. As this letter reached 
 England some time before the arrival of Mabel 
 Arden, owing to circumstances that will be 
 hereafter explained, we must request our 
 readers to follow us to the shores of England, 
 in order that we may introduce to their notice 
 the family of Master Howard Etherton, as they 
 will figure in this narrative rather prominently. 
 
 Howard Etherton's father, before he succeeded 
 to the baronetcy and estates of the Ethertons, 
 was a Captain Arden. He was a younger 
 brother, his elder brother dying abroad, it was 
 supposed, without heirs; indeed, it was not 
 generally known that he was ever married. 
 Godfrey Arden, the younger brother, therefore, 
 as next heir, took possession of the estates. 
 Etherton Manor was a very fine mansion, situ- 
 ated in a richly wooded and much-admired part 
 of Hampshire, a few miles from Hurst Castle,
 
 108 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 and commanding an extensive view not only 
 over the estuary of Southampton water, but also 
 over the narrow sea dividing England from its 
 garden — the Isle of Wight. At this period of 
 our story Sir Godfrey Etherton was in his fiftieth 
 year; he had two sons and seven daughters; his 
 lady was some two or three years his junior. 
 She was the only daughter of a tolerably rich 
 slop-seller in Portsmouth. When Sir Godfrey 
 married her, he was only a poor lieutenant in the 
 navy, who was quite willing to overlook his 
 wife's want of birth in consideration of five 
 thousand pounds hard cash, which he received 
 with her. 
 
 At that time there was a very remote chance 
 indeed of the poor lieutenant succeeding to the 
 Etherton estates. 
 
 When Mrs. Arden became Lady Etherton she 
 was exceedingly anxious to forget that her father, 
 at this period gathered to his fathers, was ever 
 called a slop-seller. All mention of her parents 
 and relatives was forbidden. In person she was 
 short and robust ; she dressed richly and gaudily,
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 109 
 
 but without the slightest taste, notwithstanding 
 all the eflforts of her well-educated, but haughty 
 and imperious daughters. 
 
 As Captain Arden, of the " Dauntless," the 
 Baronet was a morose and exacting Commander, 
 a man without one particle of feeling. It is 
 quite suflScient to say he was universally detested 
 by both officers and crew. 
 
 After succeeding to the baronetcy and the 
 estates, he retired into private life, into which 
 he carried all his morose and unamiable qualities. 
 Always dissatisfied, he declared everything went 
 wrong with him. His eldest daughter married, 
 for love, a poor subaltern, and was banished the 
 paternal mansion — no great punishment. His 
 eldest son remained a gentleman with notliing to 
 do but to spend in dissipation and excesses of 
 all kinds, five times the amount allowed him 
 yearly by his father; the consequences were that 
 he became deeply involved in debt. The 
 youngest son, Howard Etherton, the father's 
 favourite, was, as our readers know, a midship- 
 man on board the " Victory," expecting, through
 
 110 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 his father's interest and position, rapid promo- 
 tion, as soon as his six years' probation had run 
 out. 
 
 Howard Etherton's disposition and nature were 
 utterly unprincipled; he was also, for one so 
 young, parsimonious to a degree; though hand- 
 somely allowed by his father, he hoarded all he 
 possibly could spare to suit his own purposes 
 hereafter. He, as well as the rest of the family, 
 knew that his father came into the estates, from 
 the fact of his elder brother having died with- 
 out heirs ; he also knew that there were rumours 
 of his uncle in his youth having carried off a 
 young lady somewhere in Italy, her parents op- 
 posing their union, but as years passed over, and 
 no tidings of him reached his family, till an 
 authentic account of his death became circulated, 
 and afterwards fully proved ; the previous account 
 of his marriage was considered a mere rumour, 
 and as neither wife nor child made their appear- 
 ance. Captain Arden's claims were undisputed. 
 
 "When Howard Etherton therefore heard on 
 board the "Victory" that the Duchess de Coulan-
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. Ill 
 
 court was positively, before she married the 
 Duke, the widow of Mr. Granby Arden, and that 
 a son and daughter by her first husband were 
 living, he became, as we have stated, startled 
 and confounded, for if such was positively the 
 case, and could be proved, his father had no 
 longer a just claim to either the baronetcy or 
 the estates. But when he heard that Mabel 
 Arden had declared that her brother was cruelly 
 murdered at Lyons, he felt singularly relieved. 
 Still, the knowledge that Mabel would be entitled 
 to a very handsome fortune out of the estate, 
 especially provided by settlements and deeds ap- 
 pertaining to the Etherton Estates, rankled in 
 his hearc and ill-regulated mind. 
 
 It was the intelligence, therefore, that he 
 heard on board the " Victory," that he sent in 
 his letter to his father. 
 
 He also found vent for his hatred to young 
 Thornton, of whom he spoke in the bitterest 
 terms, imputing to his officiousness the recovery 
 of Mabel Arden. 
 
 Sir Godfrey Etherton in his own mind always
 
 112 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 believed that his brother had eloped with a 
 young lady from some city in Italy, but whether 
 he married her or not he could not discover; 
 neither, strange to say, could he find out the 
 name of the young lady. There was a mystery 
 enveloping the whole transaction that baffled 
 him. 
 
 Of all his family, his wife was his only confi- 
 dante ; to her he confided all his thoughts and 
 conjectures, though she was the very last person, 
 to judge by appearance and manner, that he 
 would seek, though she was his wife, to repose 
 confidence in, for she was the very reverse of 
 himself in everything; but the secret was, she 
 was really attached to him, and he to her, at 
 least he liked her as much as his selfish, cold 
 nature would permit him to like anything. 
 
 Sir Godfrey was no schemer or plotter; he 
 had nothing of the villain about him ; had his 
 brother married and left a child, a boy or a girl, 
 he would have made no attempt to deprive 
 either of their just rights. The morning he re- 
 ceived his son's letter, he was sitting at break-
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. Il3 
 
 fast with his lady and four of their daughters, 
 two of them not out of their teens, the other 
 two were of the respective ages of seventeen and 
 nine. On opening the letter to satisfy Lady 
 Etherton's eager inquiries concerning her son, 
 Sir Godfrey's eye caught the name of Arden. 
 
 " God bless my soul," he exclaimed, turning 
 somewhat pale, and, indeed, no little agitated; 
 "how extraordinary!" 
 
 " Nothing has occurred to our Henry I trust," 
 said Lady Etherton, anxiously. " I always said 
 it was a sad thing to expose our boy with his ex- 
 pectations." 
 
 "His expectations!" repeated Sir Godfrey, 
 sarcastically, and then added : " No, Jane ; 
 nothing has happened to him. I will read you 
 his letter presently." 
 
 The daughters, though no doubt as curious as 
 their mother, took the hint, and left the room. 
 
 " You look disturbed, Godfrey," said Lady 
 Etherton. " What can Howard have written to 
 vex you." 
 
 " Well, the intelligence is not perhaps as bad
 
 114 TUE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 as I tliouglit/' siiid Sir Godfivv, drawing his 
 breath as if relieved, and hiying down tlie letter 
 having read it carefully through. '' Do you 
 know, June, that my suspicions that my brother 
 Granby had married, is turning out correct?" 
 
 '' Heavens! "Wiiat do you mean?" exclaimed 
 Lady Etherton, in her turn looking agi tilted. 
 "Has he left anv children?" 
 
 " He did leave a boy and a girl." 
 
 "Merciful goodness," intorrnpted the Baronet's 
 wife, " this is dreadful ! We shall—" 
 
 "Nay," interrupted Sir Godfrey; "you are 
 frightening yourself without cause. 1 was 
 startled myself; but tlie son it seems was be- 
 headed." 
 
 "Thank God!— that is— hem— really, God- 
 frey, you startled me — I do not mean to thank 
 God tliat the unfortunate boy has lost his head, 
 which is very singular, but, I mean it would be 
 very terrible for us to lose the title and estate, 
 and with such a family of daughters." 
 
 " Yes; it would be much bettor tliat I never 
 had succeeded to it, than that alternative, for by
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGEE. 115 
 
 continuing in the service I should by this time 
 have been a Rear- Admiral." 
 
 " Thank God it is as it is; but how is it then 
 with respect to the daughter; and where is 
 Granby Arden's wife?" 
 
 " I will read you the letter," said the Baronet, 
 " and then you will know as much as I do," and 
 he did so. 
 
 Lady Etherton listened eagerly. "VThen he 
 had concluded, she said, with some bitterness : 
 
 " Who is this youngster, "William Thornton, 
 who has made himself so conspicuous, and who, 
 Howard says, is his bitter enemy?" 
 
 " Pooh !" returned the Baronet, contemptu- 
 ously. " Boy's enmity — a rival midshipman. 
 I kept those troublesome urchins in their proper 
 place when I commanded the " Dauntless." But 
 who this William Thornton is, it matters not; 
 he is a midshipman, and, as Howard says, the 
 natural son of one of Lord Hood's coxwains. I 
 saw his name mentioned in the paper as a very 
 high-spirited boy, and that he was entrusted by 
 Captain Sir Sidney Smith with the command of
 
 116 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 a little tender on the night they burned the 
 French ships in Toulon — a miserable failure that 
 affair. But with respect to this Mabel Arden, 
 ■whom we may expect in England shortly, we 
 must afford her our protection. The worst of it 
 is, she is entitled to twenty thousand pounds 
 fortune out of the estates, when she becomes ot 
 age. Had her brother lived, the blow would 
 have been an awful one, to lose title and estate, 
 and forced to live upon a Captain's half-pay, or 
 go to sea again." 
 
 Lady Etherton looked startled. 
 
 " I hope — that is — I wonder if the boy really 
 lost his head. Strange accident, was it not, 
 Godfrey ?" 
 
 " Accident!" repeated the Baronet, looking at 
 his spouse rather contemptuously. " Why, Jane, 
 what are you thinking of ? You forget they are 
 taking heads off in France at this moment for 
 mere amusement; the boy must somehow or other 
 have got mixed up in their bloody orgies, and 
 they guillotined him. His mother, the Duchess 
 of Coulancourt, it seems, fell into the hands of
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 117 
 
 the Revolutionists in Toulon, and may at this 
 moment be no more. There's a strange mystery 
 about my brother's marriage, and his widow 
 afterwards marrying a French Duke." 
 
 " How old is this little girl you expect to 
 arrive in England?" questioned Lady Ether- 
 ton. 
 
 "Howard says about eleven or twelve; a 
 young delicate thing, not likely to live over the 
 voyage." 
 
 " If she does live," said Lady Etherton, 
 thoughtfully, "she would make a right good 
 match for Howard, wouldn't she ?" . 
 
 " You are early in your matrimonial specula- 
 tions, Jane," said the Baronet; "but you are 
 not far out, from causes which you know. To 
 have to pay over that twenty thousand pounds, 
 and interest, now, would be inconvenient. The 
 interest due on it, and her long minority, would 
 make her a very eligible match for a younger 
 son." 
 
 "Very, indeed !" said Lady Etherton. " Would 
 it not be as well to withdraw Howard from the
 
 118 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 navy, and let the young people grow up to- 
 gether?" 
 
 " I would not remove him from his profession 
 at this period on any account. Charlotte's 
 marriage with young Lord Coldburgh will cost 
 me ten thousand pounds, and if I have to pay 
 up this twenty thousand pounds and interest at 
 once to the trustees, if there are any, of Miss 
 Arden, it will make a sum of thirty thousand 
 pounds altogether; this will encumber the pro- 
 perty for a time, and five other daughters to be 
 disposed of. I am willing to make this sacrifice 
 for Charlotte, for Lord Coldburgh, as to rank and 
 influence, is a first-rate match." 
 
 " Charlotte is a lucky girl," said the mother, 
 with a pleased look. Now, whether she herself 
 thought so or not will appear hereafter. 
 
 Having thus given our readers a brief outline 
 of the Etherton family, of which our heroine, 
 Mabel Arden, was expected to become a member 
 on her arrival in England, we will return to our 
 hero on board the " Victory," which, still with the 
 British fleet, lay off Toulon.
 
 THE FEIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 119 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 " You are one of fortune's favourites," said 
 Charles Pole to William Thornton, who was 
 taking leave of his comrades on board the 
 " Victory," previous to his departure the follow- 
 ing morning, for the Babet corvette was quite 
 ready for sea. Madame Volney and daughters, 
 and Mabel Arden were on board, waiting the 
 signal to weigh. 
 
 " I wish in my heart you were coming with 
 us, Charles," said our hero, warmly pressing his 
 friend's hand; "it is the only drawback to the 
 pleasure I anticipate ; but I shall, please the fates, 
 soon rejoin you."
 
 120 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " Ah," said several of the Mids, with length- 
 ened faces, " you will have such a jolly life of it, 
 with O'Loughlin for a skipper, lots of good 
 things, and no nip cheese to stint your allow- 
 ance." 
 
 '* Never look down-hearted," said our hero, 
 "you will all have a turn of luck by-and- 
 by." 
 
 " To the devil with such luck !" said Howard 
 Etherton, with a sneer. " I don't see much to 
 grieve after; a few weeks' liberty is the most 
 you can make of it, with a chance of being cap- 
 tured on the way. The inside of a French 
 prison would be a nice variety," and not wish- 
 ing to exchange a good-bye with his fellow Mid, 
 Howard Etherton walked away. 
 
 " Well, here's success to you, William, and a 
 safe passage, lots of fun, and a quick return to 
 us," said William Thornton's friends, and down 
 went bumpers of purser's champagne. 
 
 An hour afterwards, William Thornton was 
 put on board the " Babet," where he found his 
 friend Lieutenant O'Loughlin, the appointed
 
 THE FiilGATE AND THE LUGQ-^.K. 121 
 
 comrafinder of the corvette, walking the quarter 
 deck, enjoying a glorious sunset and a pipe. 
 
 " Well, my lad, bade them all good bye? 
 There's Madame below, and her daughteis, quite 
 anxious that you should take your coffee with 
 them; and your little ^p?'6>?^^e^ popping up her 
 head every now and then to see if you have ar- 
 rived. Be the piper of Moll Kelly, you're a 
 broth of a boy with the fiir sex; go on and 
 prosper; fiith, I think you might turn Turk 
 with advantage." 
 
 William Thornton laughed, saying: 
 
 " I never knew you to object to the company 
 of a pretty face; but as you are my Commander 
 now, I must be careful what I say." 
 
 " Oh, be gor, if you go to studying manners 
 and touching hats to Patrick O'Loughlin, be the 
 powers, I'll shut you up from the women alto- 
 gether. But tell me, William, how long will it 
 take you to teach me a few French sentences, 
 such as — hem — as, ' I love you,' and all that 
 kind of thing; for, confound it, I don't know a 
 
 vol.. I. G
 
 122 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 word of their parlej-vous, and that's a sweet 
 creature below." 
 
 "Oh," said William Thornton, with a smile; 
 "tlie admiral's widow, — ah, so she is; best tem- 
 pered woman possible." 
 
 '* Devil take your impudence; j'^ou don't want 
 to make love to the whole three, do you, and 
 leave me the mother, eh?" 
 
 "Make love," said our hero, very denurely, 
 " who ever heard of a Midshipman making love? 
 but I suppose it's Mademoiselle Agatha's eyes, 
 that have scorched your tinder heart; faith, 
 O'Loughlin, it has had so many sparks aj)[>lied 
 to it that one would imagine it was past kind- 
 ling again. I'll tell you what I will do for you, 
 I'll set to work at once to teach Mademoiselle 
 Agatha English ; I will engage to make her 
 decline the verb ' I love,' before a week's 
 out." 
 
 " Oh, by St. Peter ! the devil doubt ye, my 
 lad; but I'll try that, myself. Stick to the little 
 thing with her fine dark eyes like two diamonds. 
 She'll make a tidy craft by the time the cat's
 
 THE FRIGATE AXD THE LUGGER. 1-3 
 
 done cleaning your chin, and I'll lend yon a 
 razor then.'' 
 
 William Thornton laughed, and dived down 
 the companion, and soon found himself seated 
 at table beside his serious-faced little protegee, 
 and the two lively, pretty daughters of Madame 
 Yolney. 
 
 " So we sail to-morrow," said Agatha Volney, 
 fixing her laughing blue eyes upon the Midship- 
 man, "you seem quite elated at quitting the 
 ' Victory ' for this little ship." 
 
 " You must remember," said our hero, " that 
 the ' Victory ' has not the attractions on board 
 that the 'Babet' has. This little voyage will be 
 quite a charming episod3 in a poor midship- 
 man's career. One to be remembered with de- 
 light." 
 
 Agatha's pretty face coloured a little; she 
 certainly looked pleased. She was the same age 
 as young Thornton, and he, for his years, looked 
 exceedingly manly. 
 
 Poor little Mabel was still pale and thoughtful, 
 
 the image of her fond and beautiful mother was 
 
 G 2
 
 121 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 ever before her, and now on the point of leaving 
 the land that contained her cherished parent 
 pining in captivity; alas! perhaps dead, the 
 poor child felt her situation keenly. To William 
 Thornton she turned for consolation, and wlien 
 near him, and listening to his kind and soothing 
 words, she appeared to droop less. 
 
 " So we sail with a whole fleet of ships, 
 Master Thornton," said Madame Yolney. 
 
 " Yes, madame," said our hero, " most of the 
 vessels taken in Toulon, sail in company. We 
 shall have that magnificent ship, the 'Commerce 
 de Marseilles,' hundred and twenty guns, and the 
 * Puissant,* seventy-four; and the ' Perle' and 
 *Arethusa' frigates, and several smaller craft; 
 there is not much danger of capture in such 
 company." 
 
 Lieutenant O'Loughlin, or rather Captain 
 O'Loughlin, entered the cabin, making a low 
 bow to the party, and stammering out a mixture 
 of French and English, which he intended for 
 *'Pray do not disturb yourself," but the two 
 girls insisted upon the really handsome and
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 125 
 
 dashing looking sailor sitting down and joining 
 them. 
 
 This he did, desiring the Midshipman to say, 
 '' That he was proud of having such a freight on 
 board the ' Eabet/ and that he hoped they would 
 have a brush with a French corvette, or even a 
 frigate, just to show them how devoted he was 
 to the service of the young ladies." 
 
 " I must alter the last part of your speech, 
 Captain," said our hero, laughing, " you must 
 include the mother." 
 
 " Well," said Madame Volney, with a smile, 
 for she understood English tolerably, on William 
 Thornton's literally translating the Captain's 
 speech ; " we feel highly the compliment, but for 
 our own parts, we should prefer his devotion 
 without the brush with the corvette." 
 
 " Be St. Patrick! the eyts of those girls so 
 bewilder me," said O'Loughlin, " that I forgot 
 what I came down here for. Here, look at 
 this," and he pulled a very soiled, and sealed 
 note from his waistcoat; "a fishing boat with
 
 126 TUE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 two men in her pulled up alongside just after 
 you went down, and saying something or other 
 which I did not understand, handed up this note. 
 I called out to them to hold on till I sent for you 
 to speak to them; but, confound their impu- 
 dence, they did not seem to understand me. 
 What's that on the back? it's not English." 
 
 " No," said William Thornton, looking at the 
 writing, "by Jove, it is directed to me!" 
 
 "You," said O'Loughlin, "that's not your 
 name at the back; I could make that out if it 
 were." 
 
 " No, it's not my name, but you see it says, 
 'To the young Midshipman on board the 'Babet,' 
 and that's toe, unless you chose to change ranks 
 with me." 
 
 " Upon my conscience I'd have no objection, if 
 I got the gift of the language by the change. 
 But what the deuce is in it; are there any girls 
 ashore looking after you?" 
 
 "No, I think not," said our hero laughing; 
 and begging Madame's and the young ladies'
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 127 
 
 pardon, he opened the note. But the name of 
 Jean Plessis at the bottom made him say out 
 loud, and in French : 
 
 " Mabel, this is from Jean Plessis !" 
 
 The child gave a cry of joy and clasped her 
 hands, whilst the Misses Volney started up with 
 joyful exclamations. Captain O'Loughlin rubbed 
 his head, uttered an anathema against the 
 French language, and looked at Agatha Yolney's 
 handsome features, lighted up with the glow of 
 expectation, as she said : 
 
 " Oh, dear ! perhaps we shall hear something 
 of this dear child's mother. Do read it out, Mr. 
 Thornton." 
 
 This our hero did as follows: 
 
 " Monsieur, — 
 
 " To relieve the anxiety Mademoiselle 
 Arden must feel concerning her mother, I con- 
 trive, though at great risk, to send this to you, 
 having found out that she and you are on board 
 the 'Babet.' 
 
 " The Duchess is quite safe and well, I dare
 
 128 THE IRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 not write more, and with the blessing of God we 
 may be in England as soon as your ship. I cannot 
 venture to put more on paper — tell Madinoiselle 
 to keep up her spirits and all will be well. 
 
 "Jean Plessis." 
 
 The overjoyed child threw her arras round 
 Agatha Volney's neck and burst into tears, ex- 
 claiming: 
 
 "Oji! dear, dear mamma is safe and well, and 
 that dear good Jean Plessis, how I love him for 
 his faith and devotion!" 
 
 Agatha kissed the little girl fondly, which 
 proceeding seemed to effect the worthy Com- 
 mander of the 'Babet,' who would willingly 
 have offered his service for a similar demonstra- 
 tion on the part of the fair French girl, but the 
 loud report of a cannon roused him from his 
 reverie, and caused him to rush upon deck. 
 William Thornton followed. There had sprung 
 up a fine breeze out of the gulf, and the gun was 
 to call attention to the signals. 
 
 " Ah ! I thought so," said Captain O'Loughlin,
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 129 
 
 " the signal to get under weigh. Here's a 
 glorious breeze, we shall now see what this craft 
 can do, for I have a very good opinion of her; she 
 has fine beam, carries very square yards, and 
 has a very clean entrance." 
 
 In a few minutes the boatswain's whistle called 
 the crew into action ; there were but forty-two 
 men, officers included, on board. Although an 
 eighteen-gun corvette, she had at this time only 
 eight twelve-pounder carronades mounted, the 
 rest of the guns were below, and as the " Babet" 
 was very short handed, and required some con- 
 siderable repair before fit for actual service in 
 the British navy, Lieutenant O'Loughlin's direc- 
 tions were to take her to Plymouth, and avoid 
 any encounter with the enemy's cruisers, if 
 compatible with honour to do so. 
 
 It was a dark night when the various vessels 
 sailing in company got under weigh. It was 
 not intended or expected that they shouU keep 
 together after sailing, the disparity of their size 
 and equipment putting that out of the question. 
 
 Their restrictive orders were to make the best 
 
 G 5
 
 130 THE miGATF AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 of their way to an English port, excepting two 
 or three, which were boun'l to Rochford, to land 
 the Royalist fugitives from Toulon. 
 
 With the wind at north west, the "Babet" under 
 topsails and top-gallant sails, went rapidly 
 through the water. The log was tried towards 
 morning, she was then going better than twelve 
 knots, which Captain O'Loughlin thought very 
 good work considering the breeze and the sail 
 set 
 
 It was the latter end of December, it therefore 
 did not surprise tlie Commander of the corvette, 
 that as the sun rose on the following morninor 
 the gulf wind fell, and the appearance of the sky 
 shewed signs of heavy weather from the south 
 west. They had run during the night out of 
 sight of land and from all the vessels, save the 
 huge Commerce le Marseilles and the two frigates, 
 which were in sight about three leagues ahead. 
 
 Before mid- day there was a short calm with a 
 a long swell from the south and east. 
 
 Madame Yolney and her daughters and Mabel 
 came on deck, though it was extremely cold, but
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. l3l 
 
 like all young voyagers on the vasty deep they 
 paid their initiate to its power, by being very sick 
 all night, and anxious for fresh air. 
 
 " I am sorry," said William Thornton, " to 
 see that you and the young ladies have been 
 suffering, Madame Yolney.'- 
 
 Poor Mabel looked even paler than usual. 
 
 ''•It is a suffering few escape," said Madame 
 Volney, " but I suppose it is what we must en- 
 dure for a few days; indeed, very likely if we 
 have a good passage we shall not have time to 
 become good sailors " 
 
 " I trust you will not suffer beyond to-day, or 
 to-morrow at furthest," said our hero. 
 
 " We must have sailed very fast in the night, 
 Mr. Thornton; I see no land anv where. What 
 an immense ship that is away before us," said 
 Agatha Yolney, trying to shake off the disagree- 
 able sensation of giddiness she experienced. 
 
 "That is the 'Commerce de Marseilles,' and 
 most likelv the Puissant and the Perle are with 
 her." 
 
 Madame Yolney sighed, saying:
 
 132 THE FRIGATE AND THE LXJGGEK. 
 
 " The Puissant was the last ship ray noble but 
 unfortunate husband commanded, it is somewhat 
 strange that we should ue proceeding to England 
 with her." 
 
 Captain O'Loughliu joined theparty, and made 
 an attempt to express his sorrow at seeing them 
 all looking so pale, but as the day wore on and a 
 light breeze sprung up from the south, they all 
 began to get gradually much better. 
 
 Little Mabel seemed to regain some little por- 
 tion of spirit, the news of her mother's safety 
 and the prospect of meeting her in England 
 cheered her. And as the sickness wore oflf — for 
 sometimes children suflfer less than adults — she 
 felt a desire to walk about the deck, William 
 Thornton aiding and assisting her, and chatting 
 to her of her future prospects, making the day 
 pass pleasantly enough; the "Babet" working to 
 windward under a light breeze but with a very 
 threatening sky, heavy masses of clouds rising 
 rapidly in the south-east quarter. 
 
 After the ladies had retired, our hero and his 
 Commander kept pacing the deck in conversation.
 
 THE TRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 133 
 
 "What are you to do with jour little charge?" 
 demanded Captain O'Loughlin, " when we reach 
 Plymouth I had not time to ask you before 
 sailing." 
 
 " Why, you see," returned the Midshipman, 
 " Lord Hood had along conference with Howard 
 Etherton, which satisfied his lordship that 
 Howard's father, Sir Godfrey Etherton, was 
 little Mabel's uncle. Thoui2;h Howard did all 
 he could to persuade the Admiral that Mr.Granby 
 Arden was never married — but his lordship said 
 he knew better — he did not pretend to say that 
 he knew he left children, but he felt convinced 
 that the contents of the casket given me by 
 Mabel's mother would sufficiently explain the 
 matter. ' You are very young, Master Thorn- 
 ton,' said the Admiral to me afterwards, ' to be 
 concerned in an affair of this sort, but as it ap- 
 pears the wish of the Duchesse de Coulancourt 
 that, young as you are, you should have the care 
 of this child and this casket, I will not alter her 
 desires. When you reach Plymouth or Ports- 
 mouth proceed to London, take the casket which
 
 134 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 is sealed to Mr. Joseph Stanraore, my solicitor, 
 and a most eminent man, give hirn also this 
 letter,' handing one to rae, ' and then be guided 
 by him.' Thus you see, O'Loughlin, ray course 
 is properly chalked out. Mr. Stanmore lives 
 in Cavendish Square, so leaving Mabel with 
 Madame Yolney, I shall go up to London as soon 
 as we reach Plymouth." 
 
 Captain O'Loughlin seemed buried in thought, 
 at last he looked up, saying : 
 
 "You are in love with Agatha Yolney !" 
 
 The midshipman burst into so loud and hearty 
 a laugh, that it startled the man at the wheel. 
 
 "Well, upon my honour, Captain O'Lough- 
 lin—" 
 
 " Oh, bother with your Captain ! If you go 
 on with any more of that nonsense, I must give 
 you up. Call me Patrick or O'Loughlin, but 
 to the deuce with my captainship! What did 
 you laugh in that manner for; by Jove, you 
 shook all the wind out of the royals?" 
 
 " The idea of a boy, scarcely seventeen, in love 
 with a full-grown Demoiselle Francaise, of nine-
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 135 
 
 teen ! You are dreaming, or what's deuced 
 more likely you are in love with her your- 
 self." 
 
 " Devil a doubt of it, my lad, I confess ; but 
 you look so sweet at one another. Isn't there 
 the other little girl? She will, in four or five 
 years, be tolerably good looking; she has fine eyes 
 at all events. She will never forget you, and, 
 by Jove, you may depend on it, she will have 
 lots of cash!" 
 
 " By Jove, O'Loughlin, you are pitching into 
 the future, like a jolly boat in a head sea, manu- 
 facturing a wife for me five or six years off. I 
 don't intend," continued our hero, " to get 
 married till I am a Post Captain — perhaps an 
 Admiral." 
 
 " Tare and nouns ! If you wait till you are 
 an Admiral, with perhaps a leg and an arm, or 
 an eye, less than your complement, she must be a 
 tidy craft that will take you in tow. Hollo ! 
 There's a squall !" 
 
 As bespoke, the boatswain's whistle was heard, 
 the men hurrying up, whilst O'Loughlin gave
 
 136 THE nilGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 rapid orders to take in the royals, and furl the 
 top gallant sails, for the ship heeled over to a 
 very sudden and singular kind of squall, that 
 struck the water within a few yards of them. 
 In a few minutes the sea was feather white, 
 squall after squall coming over its hitherto 
 tranquil surface. But the Babet was rapidly 
 got under double reefed topsails, and top gallant 
 masts housed, and was standing away to the 
 westward, close bawled. 
 
 " By St. Patrick, how suddenly this gale has 
 come on," observed Captain O'Loughlin to the 
 first mate, William Thornton having gone below 
 to reassure their passengers, who were alarmed 
 by the sudden and, indeed, violent heeling over 
 of the corvette. 
 
 " Yes, sir," returned the mate, an old and ex- 
 perienced sailor; "but common enough in the 
 Mediterranean. I should not be surprised if it 
 increased to a very heavy gale; it's looking ex- 
 ceedingly black to windward." 
 
 " She's a steady craft under canvass, Mr. 
 Holder."
 
 THE IRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 137 
 
 "Yes, sirj but (.ur rigging is all new, so we 
 must le tender, or our masts may suffer." 
 
 " It would be well to get up some preventive 
 back stays, and take in the lee rigging, which I 
 see is as slack as a purser's liberality." 
 
 As the night, wliich was intensely dark, ad- 
 vanced, the gale increased to a hurricane. 
 Captain O'Loughlin, on consulting his charts, 
 found they were heading towards the Spanish 
 coast. So rapidly had the sea increased, that 
 before morning they were preparing to heave the 
 ship to, when the man forward sung out: 
 
 " Ship right ahead." 
 
 The next moment, as Captain O'Loughlin and 
 our hero were anxiously looking out, a huge ship 
 was dimly seen, rising on the top of a monstrous 
 billow. She was lying to. 
 
 " It is the French ship, the ' Commerce De 
 Marseilles,' " said William Thornton, as the man 
 at the wheel was ordered to keep the Babet a 
 point or two to the nor'-west; and then she 
 was hove to, just as a gun was fired from the
 
 138 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " Commerce De Marseilles," and the night signal 
 displayed. 
 
 This was promptly answered by the crew of 
 the corvette, and her name given, and then all 
 relapsed into silence, excepting the roar of the 
 gale through the rigging, and the breaking surges 
 as they dashed against the side of the ship. 
 Still the gale increased, and when the grey light 
 of morning broke over the storm tossed deep — 
 they could distinctly make out three ships, not 
 half a mile from each other, all lying to.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 139 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 This was the memorable storm on the 28th of 
 December, 1793. So tremendous became the 
 hurricane before sun-set of the day following its 
 commencement, that the Babet became literally 
 buried in the tremendous seas. She had lost 
 her bowsprit, close to the stem, a great portion 
 of her bulwarks, and all her boats, and just as 
 night set in, a sea of terrific bulk and fury broke 
 on her larboard bow ; fortunately, it was ex- 
 pected, and the crew saved themselves from 
 being washed overboard by timely precaution ; 
 but for several moments all thought the corvette 
 was sinking, when a tremendous crash took
 
 140 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 place, and both main and fore masts went over 
 the side, a furious sea striking her at the same 
 time, fortunately driving her right round, before 
 the tempest. 
 
 Holding on by ropes stretched across the 
 decks, Captain O'Loughlin and William Thorn- 
 ton called out to the crew to cut away the wreck 
 with their axes, and two men were lashed at the 
 wheel to keep her steady before the storm. 
 
 "Be St. Patrick, William," said the Com- 
 mander, giving himself a shake, " it was nearly 
 up with us. We shall drive ashore before morn- 
 ing, I fear." 
 
 " God forbid !" said our hero, thinking of the 
 terrified and dismayed females fastened down 
 below. " She is quite tight yet, the carpenter 
 says; very little water in her." 
 
 " So far so well," said the Captain, " but all 
 depends upon the distance we are from the land. 
 This morning, you know, I calculated as the 
 wind blew that we were about two and forty 
 miles from the Spanish coast, in a direct line. 
 As we are going now we shall run aground some-
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 141 
 
 where between Pralamos and Ampurias, for the 
 force of the hurricane came from the east and 
 south " 
 
 A change was coming over the elements as he 
 spoke; a furious deluge of rain, accompanied 
 with continued peals of thunder took phice. 
 Gradually the wind began to lull, and before an 
 hour was out, a ceaseless torrent of rain was the 
 only remains of the tempest, excepting, of course, 
 the sea, which for several hours would remain in 
 a terribly disturbed state. The great danger to 
 be apprehended in the cessation of the hurricane 
 was the "Babet's" getting broadside on to the 
 sea, in her perfectly powerless state. 
 
 " We shall have the gale out from the gulf 
 of Lyons before morning," observed Captain 
 O'Loughlin to our hero. " We are in a nice 
 mess. You may manage to get down below, 
 however, and see how our poor passengers get 
 on; they must be awfully frightened." 
 
 " Sad loss, our masts," remarked the Mid- 
 shipman, whilst some of the crew were removing 
 the tarpauling over the companion.
 
 142 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 "Faith, it's just what I expected," said 
 O'Loughlin; "look at the hasty way we were 
 fitted out, and yet there was no help for it. In 
 the confusion, we were over-masted, too, and the 
 rigging quite new. I'll venture to say many 
 of the smaller craft foundered in the gale — the 
 heaviest I ever remember," 
 
 The corvette still plunged and rolled tremen- 
 dously; but, fortunately, they contrived to keep 
 her before the seas, which, owing to the con- 
 tinued and heavy rain, were falling fast. 
 
 William Thornton made his way into the 
 principal cabin of the corvette. Nothwith- 
 standing everything had been secured in the 
 best possible manner, many things had broken 
 adrift and lay scattered over the floor ; a swing- 
 ing lamp threw a feeble gleam over the hand- 
 some saloon. The females were in their private 
 cabins, but Mudauie Yolney's attendant, a 
 woman who had lived with her many years, and 
 was greatly attached to her, answered our hero's 
 summons at the door. 
 
 "Oh, mon Dieu, Monsieur!" said Janette,
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 143 
 
 "we thought every moment would be our last. 
 Are we going into port, for we appear quieter?" 
 
 *' We are running in for a port, Mrs. Janette," 
 said William Thornton, " and the hurricane 
 has ceased, so tell the ladies they have nothing 
 further to fear. In an hour or two the sea will 
 be comparatively smooth." 
 
 " Is there anyone hurt on board, Mr. Thorn- 
 ton?" enquired Madame, *' we heard such a 
 terrible crash during the night, as if the masts 
 were being carried away." 
 
 '* I am happy to say, madame, that there was 
 no one hurt, but I fear you all suffered a great 
 deal by the rolling of the ship." 
 
 " Oh ! we fastened ourselves into our berths, 
 and escaped suffering only from intense anxiety, 
 which we are greatly obliged to you for reliev- 
 ing, Mr. Thornton." 
 
 The midshipman returned upon deck, the rain 
 still falling heavily, but there was not a breath of 
 wind, though vivid flashes of lightning at inter- 
 vals threw abright gleam over the heaving waters, 
 but unaccompanied by thunder.
 
 144 THE nUGATE AND THE LUGGER, 
 
 " In an hour or so it will be daylight, Wil- 
 liam," said Captain O'Loughlin; "we must try 
 and get up some of the spare sails, luckily our 
 spare spars have escaped. We may rig up a 
 couple of jury masts and get to Gibraltar with 
 them, unless the gale sets in again. I have no 
 faith in those sudden lulls," 
 
 "We might make Barcelona or Carthagena, 
 and get a rough fitting up there," said our hero, 
 " it's a deuced long run to Gibraltar." 
 
 "Depends on how we get the wind, my lad. 
 Port Mahon would be better if we could manage 
 it. But hark ! do you hear that noise aloft, do 
 you feel the change of temperature?" 
 
 " There's the nor'-wester aloft, sir," said the 
 first mate, who was standing by the wheel, 
 " it's coming out of the Gulf of Lyons like 
 thunder." 
 
 " Be the powers of war ! the gale is aloft sure 
 enough," said Captain O'Loughlin ; " it will 
 strike us very shortly. Now my lads," turning 
 to the crew, who were splicing the main brace, 
 t'let us see what we can do to get up a jury
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 145 
 
 mast, just to keep us steady before the gale. 
 Faith! here it is and no mistake." 
 
 As he spoke there was a loud roar like thunder, 
 and the well known and much dreaded nor'- 
 wester of the Gulf of Lyons was upon them. 
 
 It could do them no harm at that time, so in 
 a few moments they were running before a 
 storm nearly equal in violence to the previous 
 gale, and bitterly cold; but Captain O'Lougulin 
 knew they would run out of that gale in less 
 than twelve hours. The nor'-westers of the 
 Gulf of Lyons, rarely blow a hundred miles 
 out from the gulf, getting less violent, and 
 losing their bitter coldness, as they approach the 
 African or Barbary coast. 
 
 As there was nothing to apprehend in running 
 before the gale, and the dawn breaking, and the 
 sky clearing to windward. Captain O'Loughlin 
 insisted upon our hero retiring for a few hours' 
 rest, and getting rid of his soaked garments. 
 
 William Thornton felt little inclination to 
 sleep, but he was quite willing to change his 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 1 !6 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 clothes, for he was soakei from head to foot. 
 Nevertheless, as there might be plenty to do 
 during the next twelve hours, he turned in, and 
 before he was well aware of it, was sound 
 asleep. He might have slept about three hours, 
 when he was suddenly aroused by the loud 
 boom of cannon. Jumping up, he was dressed 
 in a few minutes, and hurried on deck, one or 
 two more guns expediting his movements. 
 
 To his extreme surprise, he beheld his Com- 
 mander, and the whole crew of the " Babet," 
 actively engaged dragging a couple of long 
 twelve-pounders aft, and looking in that direc- 
 tion, he beheld a craft of their own size, with 
 only her lower masts standing, and, under her 
 fore course, following them. 
 
 Captain O'Loughlin had rigged up a flag- 
 staff, from which floated the flag of Old England. 
 They had got up a jury-mast forward, and some 
 of the crew were bending on a yard a spare 
 topsail. There was not a cloud in the sky, the 
 gale blowing with unmitigated violence, and a
 
 :' THE FEIGATE AND TflE LUGGER. 147 
 
 nor'-west sea rapidly rising, though a tre- 
 mendous swell still ran in from the east- 
 ward. 
 
 " By all that's lively, William," said Captain 
 O'Loughlin, " we are in for a brush with that 
 fellow after us. He's a privateer, I think; he 
 was close-hauled till he made us out, and then 
 be squared away after us. Now, my lads, 
 steady! His metal is not nearly as heavy as 
 ours ; watch the rise," and bang went the 
 twelve-pounder cannonade. 
 
 The messenger went through the stran- 
 ger's fore course; what other damage it did 
 they could not see, but, carrying so much can- 
 vass, their pursuer was coming up rapidly — he 
 was then not more than half-a-mile astern. 
 
 The decks were now cleared, and every pre- 
 paration made for action. In spite of their 
 crippled state, they found they could work six 
 of their guns well, and powder and shot were 
 handed up in abundance. With their two can- 
 nonades they kept up a tolerably well-directed 
 
 fire upon the Frenchman, whilst he, with his 
 
 H 2
 
 148 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 bow chasers, returned the compliment, but, as 
 yet, without doing mischief. 
 
 The •' Babet" was very shortly furnished with 
 sail forward, under which she moved, it soon 
 appeared, nearly as fast as the privateer — for 
 such their pursuer was — and, as she yawed in 
 the sea, they could see she was full of men. 
 
 A lucky shot from the " Babet" cut the 
 slings of her fore-yard, not being hung in 
 chains, bringing it down with a crash upon her 
 deck. 
 
 " Come, that's a settler for yon, Master 
 Crapaud," sung out the gunner ; but im- 
 mediately, their pursuers set their main course 
 without a reef, under which she tore through 
 the water, and in less than half-an-hour it 
 became very evident she would pour a broad- 
 side into them. She was a fine, handsome 
 craft, apparently carrying sixteen guns, and 
 well manned. She hoisted the privateer flag, 
 and ranging up alongside, within pistol-shot, 
 poured in a discharge of grape and canister 
 from her eight-pounders, but, from the fury of
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 149 
 
 the gale, and the tremendous swell, the iron 
 shower passed harmless over the deck of the 
 " Babet." 
 
 " Now, raj lads," cried Captain O'Loughlin, 
 " we must try and get rid of this troublesome 
 leech, for if this wind lulls, which it will, the 
 further we draw to the southward, he will be 
 too much for us. So bring over two more guns 
 to this side, watch an opportunity when she 
 heels over to port with the swell, and let her 
 have a dose of round shot below her water 
 mark." 
 
 " Aye, aye, sir," said the gunner, " we'll do 
 our best to physic her." 
 
 In so heavy a gale, and with such a sea 
 running, Captain O'Loughlin knew that the 
 privateer would not attempt to board him, as 
 the destruction of both vessels would ensue; 
 neither could he manoeuvre the " Babet" in any 
 other w^y whatever than to let her go before the 
 wind. If he attempted to get up his spars, he 
 would expose his men to the musketry of the 
 privateer, whose crew appeared to amount to
 
 150 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 more than one hundred and twenty. She 
 rolled in the cross sea considerably more than 
 the " Babet," liaving less beam, and her lower 
 masts and main and mizen yards standing. 
 
 The two ships were scarcely pistol-shot from 
 each other, so, watching the opportunity, and 
 the guns being skilfully pointed, the broadside 
 ■was discharged right into the hull of the pri- 
 vateer, who, rolling over to port, left herself 
 greatly exposed to the iron shower; as she 
 •came upright, she again discharged a broadside 
 of grape upon the " Babet," killing one man and 
 wounding three, but not severely. William 
 Thornton was standing anxiously watching the 
 effect of their broadside: he could hear the 
 shot hulling her, and could see that her bul- 
 warks were knocked into splinters, and the next 
 few minutes satisfied the crew of the " Babet" 
 that their broadside had, as their Captain 
 hoped, rid them of their dangerous enemy ; for, 
 after a very short time, she altered her course, 
 bracing up on a wind, and heeling over exceed- 
 ingly, on the opposite tack. This was done
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 151 
 
 evidently to keep her woundel side out of the 
 water till they plugged the shot-holes, if they 
 could. A loud cheer from the " Babet's" crew 
 testified their satisfaction. 
 
 " Be my conscience, William, I think our 
 pills will injure our friend's digestion; she'll 
 have enough to do to keep afloat. One or two 
 of the balls struck very low, and the holes will 
 be hard to get at." 
 
 " Yes," returned our hero, " I saw them 
 strike her. We shall gain some hours, and in 
 that time get up our jury-masts; this nor'-wester 
 is only a squall after the deluge of rain. I was 
 down with our poor passengers, who were ter- 
 ribly frightened by the firing; in truth, they 
 have had a poor time of it since we started." 
 
 " You may say that, William," said the 
 Captain ; *' it is to be hoped we have had the 
 worst of it. I have seen land these last ten 
 minutes away there to the south-west — Majorca 
 or Ivica, no doubt." 
 
 William Thornton looked in that direction, 
 above the storm-tossed billows, and could dis-
 
 152 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 tinctly discover the high land stretching away 
 to the southward. 
 
 " It cannot be the main land," he observed, 
 promptly, "for I can make out its termination. 
 No doubt it is Ivica, the smallest of the 
 islands." 
 
 " Well, the sooner we get to work the better. 
 You see our friend, the privateer, still keeps on 
 the same tack, with reduced canvass." 
 
 Going steadily before the gale, the " Babet," 
 excepting an occasional roll, remained pretty 
 steady, and there were tokens of the gale 
 lulling, so all hands turned to, to get their jury- 
 masts and yards up. The corvette was well 
 supplied with everything in the shape of rig- 
 ging and sails, an abundance of rope, and some 
 fine spars. They worked unceasingly, speedily 
 rigged a pair of spars, whilst the wind and the 
 sea were rapidly falling. There was not a cloud 
 to be seen — the sun shining as bright and 
 glorious as in the early autumn, though the 
 air was exceedingly keen. 
 
 Before sun-set, Ivica was plainly to be seen.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 153 
 
 and, in the distance, the other islands; and, so 
 well and energetically did the crew work, that 
 a main and mizen jury-mast were stepped and 
 wedged, and before dark they could set suffi- 
 cient canvass to permit them to alter their 
 course, and draw off from the land, towards 
 which they had been previously running. 
 
 During the evening, both the gale and the 
 sea gradually fell; the night was fine and 
 bright, and the air less cold. Before twelve on 
 the following day, the "Babet" looked like a new- 
 rigged craft, with reduced spars; and, by work- 
 ing all day, and the weather continuing fine, 
 she could set as much sail as a craft half her 
 size; but, being a remarkably fast sailer, she 
 went through the water at a very fair speed, 
 and so satisfied became her commander with her 
 rig, that he resolved to continue his voyage to 
 England under it, giving up his previous inten- 
 tion of putting in to Gibraltar to refit. 
 
 Off the Cap de Gatt they had a calm of two 
 
 days, with the weather warm, so that the 
 
 females could enjoy air, and a little exercise. 
 
 H 5
 
 15 4 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 They had quite recovered their sea-sickness, 
 and little Mabel, in anticipating her future 
 meeting with her mother in England, was 
 rapidly increasing in spirits. 
 
 She was sitting one beautifully fine evening, 
 the last of the calm, beside William Thornton, 
 gazing over the ship's side at the long line of 
 Spanish coast, not more than two leagues from 
 them, on which the sun was shining brightly, and 
 watching the numerous craft, becalmed, like them- 
 selves — some with their lofty latine yards and 
 sails, lying in graceful folds, their crews plying 
 their long sweeps, and creeping gradually along 
 the coast, whilst, lying within a mile of them, 
 were two Spanish gun-boats, or " guarda costa," 
 and, some three leagues seaward, two vessels, 
 evidently frigates, but whether English or 
 French, they could not make out. 
 
 •' Oh, how different this is, William," ex- 
 claimed Mabel, "from the frightful storm of 
 the last few days. How quiet and beautiful 
 this blue sea looks! and how delightful to 
 catch a glimpse of the land, which, do you know, 
 we all thought we should never see asrain."
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 155 
 
 " All, Mabel, I dare say you were terribly 
 frightened," remarked the Midshipman, think- 
 ing it was very possible that the thin, almost 
 haggard-looking, little girl, with her quiet 
 and wonderfully expressive eyes, with the 
 brows so beautifully marked, might turn out 
 a very lovely girl in a few years; " but tell me, 
 dear, now that we have a quiet hour, and our 
 handsome Co umander is so busy learning French 
 from Madamoiselle Agatha" 
 
 " Oh, yes," interrupted Mabel, with a smile, 
 " if he is anxious to learn French, dear Agatha 
 is quite as anxious to learn English, and the 
 Captain is so quick, — but what were you going 
 to ask me, William, wlien I so thoughtlessly 
 interrupted you?" 
 
 " Why, to tell me all you remember about 
 your little self, and how you came to lose your 
 poor brother, who was not a native of France, 
 and was too young to be mixed up in the political 
 parties which distracted, and still distract, that 
 unhappy country, France." 
 
 " Ah !" replied Mabel, with a sigh, " I was
 
 156 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 younger than dear Julian, and yet they would 
 have killed me but for good Monsieur Jean 
 Plessis. When I was very young — too young 
 to remember things well, only mamma has often 
 spoken of that time — we were with mamma's 
 husband, at his chateau far away in France — 
 near the sea coast, in Normandy, I think. That 
 chateau was called Coulancourt, for mamma's 
 husband possessed other estates besides those 
 near Lyons. Ah! 1 have heard Mamma say 
 we were very happy then. The Duke so loved 
 mamma, and loved us — our own father could 
 not have loved us more. I remember numbers 
 of servants and attendants, and chasseurs, and 
 the great chateau of Coulancourt, with its great 
 trees and lawn before it; but mamma said the 
 troubles were coming over France, and the 
 Duke was called to Paris, and we all went with 
 him. Then, after a time, mamma was per- 
 suaded to go with us to Lyons, for Paris 
 became dangerous for Royalists, and Lyons was 
 then a great royal city. 
 
 " So we went to Lyons, and there we staid till
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 157 
 
 the whole country of France became disturbed, 
 and then — ah ! shall I ever forget mamma's 
 agony ! — Monsieur Plessis arrived from Paris, 
 with the news of the good Duke's death. Oh! 
 how we all cried My brother Julian was frantic, 
 and wished to go to Paris, but Jean Plessis 
 implored him to stay, telling him that his 
 mother required all his care. 
 
 " Monsieur Plessis' wife and little daughter 
 Julia were at the chateau. Dear Julia was 
 only two years older than I; but she was so 
 sensible and so loving, she made me dote upon 
 her, whilst mamma could not bear to be a 
 moment without Madame Plessis. 
 
 " We were not long destined to remain in 
 peace. The terrible Collet d'Herbois came to 
 the chateau. I do not know what he said or 
 did, but he made mamma tremble, and Jean 
 Plessis was away in Toulon, where he possessed 
 some property, and before our protector re- 
 turned, a party of furious Revolutionists, vvith 
 this wicked d'Herbois at their head, surrounded 
 the chateau, plundered it, drove all our domes-
 
 158 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 tics to flight, and carried us all prisoners into 
 Lyons, and lodged us in a frightful prison. 
 Oh ! what we suflfered from hunger and cold, 
 and want of every kind of necessary! Our cell 
 was damp, and with very little light, and, to 
 make things worse, they took Julian from us. 
 Oh ! that was a terrible day. 
 
 *' Collet d'Herbois came every day, and once, 
 shewing my mamma a paper, said, ' Sign this, 
 and you and your children shall be released.' 
 ' Never wretch, never !' exclaimed mamma, pas- 
 sionately; 'I will die first !' The cruel wretch 
 stamped with fury, saying, ' Die ! yes, cursed 
 brood of aristocrats, you shall die !' 
 
 "'Oh, my child!' my poor mamma would 
 say, as I hung round her neck, ' that monster 
 wants to be my husband, and to be possessed 
 of all the Duke's lands. I care not for them; I 
 oflfered him all. But to be his wife — Oh, hor- 
 ror! rather welcome death. But when I think 
 of you and Julian my heart fails.' From that 
 hour," concluded Mabel, " we never saw Julian 
 again," and the tears streamed from her eyes.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER, 159 
 
 The Midshipman pressed his little com- 
 panion's hand ; he soothed her, and then a 
 sudden thought arose that perhaps Julian might 
 still be alive, and he enquired : 
 
 " Who told you," dear Mabel, " that your 
 brother was beheaded?" 
 
 " The horrid gaoler," returned the little girl, 
 with a shudder j " he came into the cell one 
 morning, and, with a frightful laugh, said, ' So 
 the young Aristocrat's head is off, with fifty 
 others. It was a fine sight.* Mamma was in 
 hysterics for hours." 
 
 " And did no one else tell you but that 
 brutal wretch?" again interrogated the Mid* 
 shipman. 
 
 " No, William ; but as neither mamma nor 
 Jean Plessis ever heard more of him, it must 
 have been true, for the wicked Democrats cut 
 off all the Royalists' heads they could find in 
 Lyons." 
 
 '* And yet, Mabel," said our hero, " many 
 circumstances might have occurred to save him. 
 How were you and your mamma rescued?"
 
 160 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " Oh, we lingered a long, long time in that 
 horrid prison, reduced in health, with filthy, 
 bad food and cruel treatment, till at last it was 
 resolved to spare no one in that ill-fated city, 
 not even infants. 
 
 " Our savage gaoler at last came for us. 
 ' Come,' said he, with a ferocious laugh, ' you 
 are going to enjoy the fresh air; you will see a 
 grand sight.' " 
 
 " Inhuman ruffian !" interrupted William 
 Thornton, passionately. 
 
 Mabel gazed up into the flushed face of the 
 Midahipraan so earnestly, and with so affec- 
 tionate an expression, as if she had done wrong 
 in paining him, and he said : 
 
 "I was wrong, dear Mabel, to ask you to 
 relate such painful scenes; the very mention 
 of them inflames even me. But you got away 
 from the wretches; God still watched over 
 you." 
 
 " Ah, yes, God did save us," replied Mabel, 
 and sent Jean Plessis in time to rescue us. 
 We were brought out, with hundreds of others,
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. IGl 
 
 from our vile prison. Oh ! how the sun dazzled 
 us, after being so long in the dark cell, without 
 its blessed light. "When we could look round, 
 we saw the streets filled with a furious mob. 
 We were forced to walk, and those with us said 
 we were to bo tied to trees and shot down by 
 cannon; and the prisoners cried and sobbed, 
 whilst the crowd laughed, and hooted, and 
 jeered us, as Aristocrats. Amidst these insults 
 we were paraded through the streets, till we 
 came to a great square, all in ruins. The 
 houses on all sides were tumbled down, and 
 their furniture tossed about and strewn all over 
 the space — the frightful wretch Collet d'Her- 
 bois, had ordered the town to be blown up. I 
 clung to the side of mamma, whose sweet face 
 was turned towards heaven, as she prayed. In- 
 deed, William, I did not think then of death, 
 but of what mamma suflfered. And dear 
 mamma thought only of me. 
 
 " The horrid gaolers now put us by dozens 
 into a cart. Mamma had her hands tied, but I 
 lay in her arms, almost insensible, though I
 
 162 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 could feel her tears rolling down my face and 
 neck, and could hear her sobbing, ' Oh God ! 
 spare my last and only one; I am resigned, but 
 in mercy spare her !' I think I was roused then, 
 when I heard those words, and felt her lips 
 pressed to mine, for I cried out, ' No, no, where 
 you go I go.' Then there was a great and 
 terrible shout from the multitude; the soldiers 
 on horseback trampled on the crowd; shrieks 
 and frightful cries filled the air; the cart we 
 were in was surrounded and overturned; there 
 was filing of guns, and then mamna and I 
 were torn from the cart, mantles thrown over 
 us, and we were hurried along without seeing 
 or knowing anything. By and bye — how long 
 I cannot say— our eyes were uncovered — I 
 was in mamma's arms; we were in a boat, and 
 Jean Plessis and another man, stripped of their 
 coats, pulling strongly at the oars. 
 
 " We were going down the Rhone — we were 
 saved! We endured a great deal, getting to 
 Toulon, Jean Plessis' native town, and the 
 house he put us in there was his own, for his
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 163 
 
 father, at one time, was very well off. You 
 know all the rest, dear William; and now do 
 you really think it possible ray brother might 
 have been saved? Surely Jean Plessis would 
 have heard of him." 
 
 "No, my dear Mabel, perhaps not; because 
 your brother might have still remained in 
 prison, or have been forced to join the Repub- 
 lican army as a soldier, like hundreds of others." 
 
 " Oh !" exclaimed Mabel, with enthusiasm, 
 " what happiness would be in store for mamma, 
 if Julian lives." 
 
 " Do you remember the Duke, your step- 
 father, well?" questioned our hero. 
 
 "Yes; though for more than two years before 
 his death, he was absent from the chateau." 
 
 " And what kind of a man was the Duke, 
 Mabel?" 
 
 " Oh, a grand, tall gentleman, with such a 
 kind, gentle look; but he was quite grey — oh, 
 much older than mamma; he looked more like her 
 father than her husband, and he was so kind to
 
 164 THE IGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 Julian and myself; I loved hira as vvell as if he 
 had been my own father." 
 
 "Won't you, "William, be rejoiced to see 
 your father and mother, when we get to Eng- 
 land," asked Mabel, fixing her expressive 
 eyes on the midshipman, who, for an instant, 
 looked sad. Mabel saw the change in his hand- 
 some features at once, and, taking his hand in 
 hers, said softly : 
 
 " I fear I have asked a question that pains 
 you; like me, perhaps you have lost a parent?" 
 
 " I never had the blessing of seeing, to my 
 remembrance, either father or mother," returned 
 William Thornton. " I was picked up at sea, 
 in a boat, by the crew of a French frigate called 
 the ' Surveillante.' " 
 
 "What name did you mention, Master Thorn- 
 ton?" interrupted Madame Volney, who had 
 approached the two young people unobserved; 
 " I thought you mentioned a vessel I remember 
 well." 
 
 "I was telling Mabel, Madame," replied the
 
 THE IRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 165 
 
 midshipman, " that I was picked up in a boat 
 when a child, of perhaps two years old, by the 
 crew of the ' Surveillante' frigate. The vessel 
 that my unfortunate parents were in, it is con- 
 jectured, had been run down in a gale by that 
 vessel." 
 
 " Mon Dieu ! how strange and extraordinary," 
 returned Madaaie Volney, sitting down by the 
 surprised young couple. " My brother was 
 first-lieutenant of the ' Surveillante' at that 
 time, and often has he spoken to me, years 
 afterwards, of that event, and of the child they 
 picked up — the only living thing saved, as they 
 thought. The ' Surveillante' afterwards fought 
 the English frigate the ' Quebec,' and so greatly 
 •was the ' Surveillante' injured, that she went 
 ashore on a reef off Isle Dieu." 
 
 A breeze of wind suddenly springing up, and 
 taking them aback, put a stop to the conversa- 
 tion becoming so interesting to our hero; but 
 Madame Volney said, as our hero proceeded to 
 fulfil some duty, " We will talk of this again, 
 Master Thornton, for I have something to say 
 that may interest you."
 
 166 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The springing up of a breeze, and in an adverse 
 direction, with a promise of blowing fresh, dis- 
 appointed all on board, for they fully expected 
 that with the land wind, usually blowing during 
 the night, the vessel would make good way 
 towards Gibraltar. 
 
 However, there was no fear of meeting any 
 of the enemy's cruisers so near that stronghold 
 of Great Britain; but, not being able to make 
 out the two ships of war in the offing, the 
 *' Babet" tacked in shore, with the intention of 
 working along the coast. 
 
 " How very singular," observed Captain
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 167 
 
 O'Loughlin, to our hero, as they walked the 
 deck together, " that Madame Volney's brother 
 should happen to command the ' Surveillante' at 
 the time they picked you up. I should not 
 be at all surprised but that you may hear 
 something very important concerning yourself, 
 perhaps even the name of your parents." 
 
 "I am greatly excited by the same idea," 
 said the midshipman, *'for, though I do not 
 often talk about the circumstance of my birth, 
 yet, in secret, it haunts my mind." 
 
 "Faith, William," said the Commander of 
 the ' Babet,' " I never bestowed a thought upon 
 the respected authors of my being until now," 
 and the Captain tried to sigh and look senti- 
 mental. 
 
 " And why now, old friend?" 
 " Don't you think me, William, a complete 
 madman to be after letting myself fall over 
 head and ears in love with a French Admiral's 
 daughter? — and I a poor devil of a Lieutenant, 
 worse off than yourself; for, by the powers of 
 war ! your father and mother may turn out, as
 
 168 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 in fairy tales, prince and princess; whereas 
 mine, if I had any, were honest, — by the bye, 
 that's doubtful! — pains-taking shoemakers." 
 
 "Why, what on earth puts that into your 
 head, O'Loughlin?" 
 
 " Stop till I light my pipe, and I'll tell you 
 all about it; I enjoy a pipe when I'm spinning 
 a yarn." 
 
 " You may," returned our hero, laughing, 
 " but it sadly interrupts the unity of a story." 
 
 *' Dh, by St. Patrick ! never mind the unity ; 
 you will make it out, famously; you will have 
 fire and smoke alternately. My first recollec- 
 tion," began the Captain, " is of a Foundling 
 Hospital in the beautiful city of Cork. How old 
 I might be at the time my recollection begins, I 
 can't say — perhaps five or six, 
 
 " There were a round dozen of us, some 
 younger and some older, but none beyond 
 ten, for, at ten years of age, they were put out 
 as apprentices. As 1 told you before, my lad, 
 I never heard who my parents were, and, be my 
 conscience ! I don't think any one of my com-
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. J 69 
 
 rades were a bit wiser. T?ie treatment we got 
 was none of the best, nor the food neither. 
 When about nine years old, I was told I was to 
 be bound in another year to a shoemaker, as it 
 was very likely my father before me had been 
 one. Why the devil they should think that 
 puzzled me then, uncommonly; for, at that 
 time, I had scarcely worn a shoe to my foot; 
 but I knew I was firmly resolved never to be a 
 shoemaker, or even a cobler, who is a shade 
 higher in rank in ray opinion, as they are, like 
 the king, exempt from taxation. I was a stout, 
 active boy, and could write and read well, and 
 was fond of getting hold of a book of any kind. 
 I made up my mind to relieve the establishment 
 of my presence, and one fine evening, just as it 
 grew dark, I managed to hide myself, got out 
 unobserved, and took to my heels, with a re- 
 markably ragged coat, light airy trousers, see- 
 ing that they were full of holes, and as poor a 
 pair of shoes to ray feet as ever the son of a 
 shoemaker possessed, and they do say they 
 vor. I. 1
 
 170 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 generally have the worst of those articles of any 
 children. 
 
 "You may say with truth that I began the world 
 very humbly, and with remarkably small amount 
 of capital — having just one halfpenny, and that a 
 bad one, in my pocket; but 'a light heart and 
 a thin pair of inexpressibles,' — and mine were 
 thin, God knows — is an old saying; so away I 
 ■went, light every way, for I had had no supper. 
 
 " I got out of the town somehow, for I had 
 never been out of it before, greatly tempted to 
 stop and look at the fine shops, all lighting up 
 so gaily, but I was resolved to get into the 
 country. I knew nothing of the locality, had 
 no idea where I was going or what I was going 
 to do; the only thing that occupied my mind 
 "Was, that a shoemaker I would not be. My 
 first night was passed under a hedge; luckily 
 it was in the summer months — August, I think 
 —so I was not much worse lodged than usual. 
 
 " As soon as I awoke I made a start of it, 
 •walked a mile or two along bye-paths, till I 
 came to a small cabin — a labourer's cabin.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 171 
 
 The father, mother, and seven children were 
 eating their breakfast — that is, the table was 
 covered with a lot of smoking hot potatoes, and 
 a pile of salt in the middle. The sight made me 
 hungry, so I asked them to let me join them, as 
 I had had neither supper nor breakfast. 
 
 " ' Bedad, help yourself and welcome,' said 
 the man, and I did. 
 
 " In this manner, sleeping under hedges and 
 haystacks, and eating potatoes, whenever I 
 could get them, I travelled for five days, till I 
 was beginning to get foot-sore, when I suddenly 
 beheld the sea, from the top of a hill, with a. 
 large town at the foot, and a number of vessels 
 lying alongside of a quay. To my boyish eyes, 
 the sea was a glorious object, and I said to my- 
 self, ' I will be a sailor.' I knew what a ship 
 was, and what a sailor was, for I remembered 
 reading a penny ' Robinson Crusoe,* and being 
 in raptures with it, and vowing at the time I 
 would be a sailor. I met a man driving a 
 flock of sheep, and I asked him the name of the 
 
 town. 
 
 I 2
 
 172 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " ' Bantry,' says he, and I walked on. I 
 thought the sight I viewed from that hill one of 
 the finest I ever saw, and faith I think so still; 
 as I did when years afterwards I stood upon the 
 same spot, having ascended the hill for the very 
 purpose of bringing my boyish recollection more 
 vivid to my mind. I was descending the hill, a 
 good carriage road winding down it, when I heard 
 a post chaise coming rapidly after me. I turned 
 and soon perceived that an accident had hap- 
 pened. The pole chain had snapped, and the 
 carriage, which was a gentleman's, laden with a 
 good deal of luggage, was pressing on the back 
 of one horse and knocking him down, whilst the 
 other was kicking and plunging; and a lady 
 •with her head out of the window calling out to 
 the postillion to stop, but you might as well have 
 tried to stop a nor'-wester with a lady's parasol. 
 Just as they reached me, the horse, whose pole 
 chain was broken, fell, the carriage gave a lurch, 
 and over it went on the side next the precipice, 
 the door was burst open and out rolled a little 
 boy scarcely two years old, and with him a
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 173 
 
 curious woolly dog, a poodle; I did not know its 
 name then. Though stupified and terrified when 
 I saw the child tumble out, the lady's shriek 
 roused me. I rushed over the side, caught the 
 child's garments in one hand, and we rolled down 
 the precipice together some twenty or thirty 
 yards. I luckily grasped a branch of furze just 
 as we were going to topple over the edge of a 
 cliflf, full fifty or sixty feet perpendicular, and 
 held on like grim death, still keeping a fast hold 
 of the little boy, the confounded dog sticking to 
 me like a leech, as if it was I that was rolling 
 over the precipice, not his young master, for 
 my special amusement. He bit me two or three 
 times for I could not help myself; if I let go the 
 child he would tumble over the edge, and if I 
 let go the furze we were sure both to go. I looked 
 up and beheld the lady and another female above, 
 screaming and clapping their hands, and a gentle- 
 man cautiously groping his way down to where 
 we were. 
 
 " ' Hold on, my brave boy !' shouted the gen- 
 tleman in intense anxiety, ' and I'll provide for
 
 174 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 you for life;' on he came cautiously. T could 
 not stir, for the weight of the child half hanging 
 over the cliff on ray one hand was quite as much 
 as I could hear. At length the gentleman 
 reached us, and holding on by a stout branch of 
 a furze with one hand, he dragged me and my 
 burden up out of danger, and clasping the 
 frii^htened and crying child in his arms, said: 
 ' God be praised ! but for this brave boy I should 
 have lost you, my beloved child,' and he re- 
 peatedly kissed the boy till he ceased crying; 
 the lady and her attendant from above anxiously 
 and wildly gazing down on us. The gentleman 
 was in a naval uniform — of course I did not know 
 it was one then — but his gold epaulette on the 
 shoulders and gold lace attracted my gaze. 
 
 " ' Now, my fine little fellow, let us get back 
 to the road ; luckily we have all escaped, and the 
 postillion is gone into Bantry for help and a post 
 chaise.' Well we soon got up, and then the 
 child was embraced and kissed and made much 
 of by the mother, who was very handsome and 
 young. The chaise or carriage lay on its beam
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 175 
 
 end, that is, it had overturned on its front, so 
 the child was leaning on the door when the 
 accident happened, and its swinging open threw 
 him out. 
 
 " ' And now my fine little fellow,' said the 
 gentleman, sitting down on one of his own trunks 
 thrown out on the road, ' who are you, and 
 where do you live, for I owe you my child's 
 life?' 
 
 " I lives nowhere, sir,' I replied ; and deter- 
 mined to tell the truth, I said I was a foundling, 
 and had run away because they wanted to make 
 a shoemaker of me, and that I would rather go 
 to sea. 
 
 " ' Go to sea !' said the gentleman, his hand- 
 some wife standing near us, with her pretty child 
 clasped in her arms, ' by Jove that's just where 
 I am going, and you shall go with me if you 
 like, and I will take care of you, for it appears 
 by your own account that no one has any claim 
 to you.' 
 
 " I kissed the gentleman's hand, my heart 
 beating with joy. ' Poor little fellow !' observed
 
 176 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 the lady, 'tell me your name?' 'Patrick 
 O'Loughlin,' I replied. 
 
 " They both smiled, saying, ' A very fine 
 name, indeed; very likely his father's,' said the 
 gentleman.' 'Don't think I ever had a father, 
 sir,' I replied very quietly. 
 
 *' ' Oh, yes,' said the gentleman, laughing, 
 ' you may be quite satisfied you had both father 
 and mother, though they left you to the care of 
 others. But never mind, my little fellow, I will 
 make a man of you.' Just then we saw the pos- 
 tillion coming up the road and a post chaise fol- 
 lowing, and one or two helpers, and some of the 
 country people attracted by the account of the 
 accident. 
 
 " The pole only of the gentleman's carriage 
 was broken, but he and the lady and servant got 
 up into the chaise. I was told to place myself 
 beside the driver, while the postillion remained 
 behind to set up the broken pole and bring the 
 carriage into Bantry. 
 
 " On reaching the inn, there appeared a great 
 commotion in receiving my protector, as all the
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 177 
 
 inmates of the hotel turned out, and there was 
 no end of donning of hats, and bows and curt- 
 seys. 
 
 " ' Here, my good dame,' called out the gen- 
 tleman to the landlady, ' take care of this young 
 boy. Let him have anything he wishes for, and 
 send for a tailor and let him make him a couple 
 of suits of clothes, fit for a lad going to sea. I 
 am going on to Glengariff to-morrow, but shall 
 be back in a couple of days, so let the clothes be 
 ready by that time,' and, patting me on the head, 
 and telling me to go with the landlady, he pro- 
 ceeded up stairs with his wife and child. 
 
 " ' Bless me !' cried the landlady looking at 
 me; I was not very aristocratically clothed cer- 
 tainly, and had lost my cap into the bargain, 
 ' Where did you come from, little boy, I never 
 saw you before? You do not belong to this 
 place, do you?' 
 
 *' ' No, ma'am,' I replied, ' I come from a long 
 way.' 
 
 " * There, Peggy,' said the host, ' don't be 
 
 after bothering the child. What's it to us where 
 
 I 5
 
 178 THE FKIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 the dickens he comes from, sore his honour, the 
 Captain, told you to give him plenty to eat and 
 drink, and get a tailor to make a suit of clothes 
 for him. The great thing in this world is to 
 obey orders, that is when you are put to no ex- 
 pense, and that you are sure to be paid for ex- 
 ecuting them. That's the point; and faix, 
 Captain Sir Oscar de Bracy pays like a prince.' " 
 
 Our hero started when he heard the name of 
 De Bracy, but remained silent. 
 
 " ' Well, many's the order you gives, avick,^ 
 said the landlady, ' that's never paid for. But 
 come along J what's your name, child?' 
 
 " ' Patrick, ma'am.' " 
 
 " Well, I'm spinning a fine yarn, William," 
 continued Captain O'Loughlin, knocking his 
 ashes out of his pipe, " but you see, I wanted 
 to shew you how small a thing alters one's destiny 
 in this world. If I had not read Robinson 
 Crusoe I very likely should have been a shoe- 
 maker, and if the pole chain of Sir Oscar de 
 Bracy's carriage had not broken, I should never 
 have obtained the rank of a lieutenant in His
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 179 
 
 Majesty's royal navy. I'm not going to weary 
 you with any more of my story, but sum up, as 
 the lawyers say. Captain Sir Oscar de Bracy's 
 ship, the 'Redoubtable,' sixty four guns, and 
 three frigates, were at anchor in Bantry Bay. 
 When he returned, after leaving his lady at an 
 estate of his near Glengariff, he took me on 
 board with him and we sailed for Portsmouth, 
 where he put me to a public school, and there I 
 had to fight my way, and found out that ray big 
 fist was both father and mother to me, for I 
 pummelled every young urchin's head that cast a 
 slur upon my country or my orphan state. 
 When fourteen I was appointed a midshipman 
 on board the " Concord" frigate, through the 
 interest of Sir Oscar de Bracy, and then, 
 after passing my examination — I may say with 
 eclat — I was appointed acting Lieutenant of 
 the same ship, and finally third Lieutenant 
 of the 'Victory.' My kind patron is, how- 
 ever, and has been for years, governor of 
 
 , in the East Indies, and I heard that he 
 
 lost his wife and little boy in a most melan-
 
 180 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 choly manner. From the period of my being 
 put to school in Portsmouth I have never seen 
 him. He took a most affectionate leave of me, 
 told me his lawyer had instructions to provide 
 me with everything, and ample pocket money; 
 and finally, when I passed my examination, Mr. 
 Bodletop, the lawyer, handed me £500, which 
 h*e said Sir Oscar de Bracy had left directions 
 for him to do, and trusted that I would be an 
 honour to my country and my noble profession. 
 My heart is full of deep and lasting gratitude to 
 that generous-hearted man, and most acutely I 
 feel his deplorable loss of wife and child so 
 shortly after, as it appears, ray saving the child's 
 life." 
 
 There was a long pause, broken by the Com- 
 mander saying, as he turned and looked with 
 surprise upon his young comrade, " Why, what 
 the deuce are you thinking of, William j you look 
 taken aback?" 
 
 " I did not interrupt you, Patrick," replied 
 our hero thoughtfully, " because your brief his- 
 tory has surprised me, and filled my mind with
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 181 
 
 vague ideas and thoughts, a gleam of hope, and 
 a confusion of surmises that bewilder me." 
 
 " The deuce it does," returned the Com- 
 mander; "what have I said to bewilder you? 
 Are you in love?" 
 
 " No," said the young man with a smile, 
 "but one thing I will observe to you first. You 
 said your protector was called Sir Oscar de 
 Bracy." 
 
 "So I say still, William. What then?" 
 
 " I will tell you. In the letter written by the 
 Duchess de Coulancourt, directed to the officer, 
 Lieutenant Cooke, you remember, who was in 
 command of the boat that penetrated into Toulon, 
 with Lord Hood's proposals to the Royalists, the 
 Duchess signed herself — I remember it so well — 
 De Coulancourt, nee de Bracy j that is, her 
 maiden name was de Bracy." 
 
 " By the powers of war ! that is singular and 
 extraordinary," said Patrick O'Loughlin, " are 
 you sure of that?" 
 
 " Quite sure. Lieutenant Cooke read the letter 
 to me, and I was particularly struck with the
 
 182 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 name at the tiQie; therefore it is not at all im- 
 probable but that the Duchess of Coulancourt is 
 perhaps a sister, or at least a relation of Sir 
 Oscar de Bracy, for that is far from a common 
 name." 
 
 *' By Jove! it's very likely," said Captain 
 O'Loughlin with vivacity, *' then that dear little 
 girl may be his niece. But that is not all that 
 makes you so thoughtful and serious, William." 
 
 " Well, not exactly. Now do not think me 
 an enthusiast, but try and answer me a few 
 questions. Can you remember the year in which 
 you saved the life of Sir Oscar de Bracy's 
 child?" 
 
 " Can I remember it, faith I can, my lad. I 
 was then nine years old, I am now going ou 
 twenty-four, it was thus rather more than four- 
 teen — perhaps fifteen — years ago. This is '93; 
 that will, as near as I can go to it, make the 
 year of the accident 1778 or '79." 
 
 " In the year 1779 !" said our hero, his cheek 
 flushing as he spoke, " I was picked up, as I 
 told you, at sea in a long boat. No doubt the
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 183 
 
 " Surveillante" frigate ran over the vessel my 
 parents, or those who had the care of me, were 
 in, and thus in a strange way I was the only one 
 saved. You will think me crazy, Patrick, but 
 the coincidence is at least singular. You said 
 Lady De Bracy and her child perished in a 
 melancholy way about a year or so after you saved 
 the child, do you know in what way?'' 
 
 William Thornton felt his ar.n grasped by the 
 warm hearted O'Loughlin with a nervous hold. 
 
 " By Heavens, William !" he exclaimed 
 somewhat agitated, " you raise strange ideas in 
 my own mind, which may account for the mar- 
 vellous feeling of attachment I from the first felt 
 for you. If your conjectures, for I understand 
 what you mean, turn out correct — and now I 
 recollect, when I enquired of Mr. Bodletop, the 
 lawyer, how Lady De Bracy lost her life, he said 
 she was drowned, she and her child and every 
 soul in a heavy gale, on board the " Spitfire" 
 gun brig, on her passage from Bear Haven to 
 Southampton. God bless me!" continued the 
 Captain, " it's quite possible that the " Spitfire"
 
 184 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 was run down by the " Surveillante," the dates 
 correspond; and that you, the boy I have so 
 strangely loved with a brother's affection, may 
 be the child I saved years gone by." 
 
 "It's perhaps a wild thought of mine, 
 O'Loughlin,"" said our hero pressing his friend's 
 hand, " but to-morrow we may hear something 
 that may tend to elucidate the mystery, from 
 Madame Volney, whose brother was first lieu- 
 tenant of the " Surveillante" at the time she 
 ran down, the ship that I was supposed to 
 belong to; she said she had something of im- 
 portance to communicate." 
 
 " By St. Peter ! if you turn out to be the son 
 of my noble protector, to .whom I owe every- 
 thing — my position — all," said Patrick O'^Lougli- 
 lin warmly, " the great desire of my heart will 
 be gratified, for I shall look upon myself as a 
 father to you." 
 
 "A young f[ither, O'Loughlin, twenty -four 
 years of age, scarcely seven years older than 
 your son," said our hero. " However, to-morrow, 
 much of this wild dream of mine will vanish or 
 be substantiated."
 
 THE IRIGATE AXD THE LUGGER. 185 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Towards sun-set the following day, the " Babet" 
 was within sight of Gibraltar, the wind having 
 shifted during the night to the eastward. The 
 ladies were all on deck anxious for a view of the 
 rock, the bold and noble_front of which, approach- 
 ing from the eastward, is particularly fine, and 
 struck Madame Yolney and her daughters with 
 admiration, and Mabel with wonder. They were 
 only three leagues distant, and as Captain 
 O'Loughlin required some few things to com- 
 plete his jury rig, he resolved to run into the 
 bay for a day, and give his guests an oppor- 
 tunity of landing and seeing the place.
 
 186 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " I promised you yesterday, Mr. Thornton," 
 said Madame Volney, sitting down beside the 
 anxious midshipman, " to give you some particu- 
 lars concerning the young child saved in the 
 long boat, by the sailors of the " Surveillante." 
 I stated that the frigate — so my brother told me 
 — went ashore on a reef off Isle Dieu, part of 
 the crew became mutinous and got at the spirits. 
 However, as many remained true^ the frigate was 
 got off, and anchored, very little damaged, and 
 the next day my brother, who was greatly in- 
 terested about the child, inquired for him, and 
 was grieved and vexed to hear that in the hurry 
 and confusion of the preceding night, the English 
 prisoners had got away with the jolly boat, and 
 no doubt had taken the child with them. Now 
 my brother was the first person that received the 
 child when handed on board the " Surveillante," 
 and he carried him down in his arms, for he was 
 nearly dead, to the cabin stove, and with the 
 steward's assistance applied restoratives. In 
 stripping him of his wet garments to wrap him 
 in hot blankets, he perceived a small morocco
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGEll. 187 
 
 case fastened round the child's neck, and on 
 opening it, beheld the small miniature of a very 
 handsome man, in a British naval uniform, and 
 and on the back in small gold letters — ' Oscar 
 de Bracy !' " 
 
 " My God, how extraordinary !" exclaimed 
 the midshipman greatly agitated, and the hand 
 little Mabel was holding nervously pressed 
 hers. 
 
 " You suspected this disclosure, Mr. Thornton, 
 I see," said Madame Volney. 
 
 "Yes, Madame; I thought and hoped some- 
 thing might lead to this important announce- 
 ment." 
 
 He then briefly related Mr. O'Loughlin's in- 
 tercourse with Sir Oscar de Bracy, but carefully 
 refrained from stating his friend's early history, 
 merely saying that Sir Oscar de Bracy was Cap- 
 tain O'Loughlin's guardian, and that he had 
 saved his boy's life when a mere child of two 
 years old. 
 
 "Providence, my dear Mr. Thornton," observed 
 Madame Yolney, much interested, '' brings
 
 188 THE FlilGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 about and reveals circumstances, apparently 
 wrapped up in impenetrable mystery, in its own 
 good time. I feel quite satisfied you are the 
 child taken out of the long boat by the 
 crew of the " Surveillante," and I greatly regret 
 not having that portrait, which T always carried 
 with me, in my possession. My brother was 
 exceedingly annoyed at the loss of the child, for 
 he had intended questioning one of the English 
 prisoners, who seemed greatly interested in the 
 little boy; but he did not know what to do, 
 for he was from the death of the Captain of the 
 " Surveillante" the next in command, and her 
 situation required her going into port. He 
 therefore took her into Rochefort, and almost 
 immediately after was ordered to Paris. I was 
 there with my family. Alas! there were then 
 symptoms of the terrible times coming. One 
 evening he related to me all the circumstances 
 concerning the child, and gave me the portrait 
 to keep, putting down in a pocket-book every- 
 thing connected with the event, the date, day, 
 and even hour. Immediately after this he was
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 189 
 
 ordered on a secret expedition to the West 
 Indies in command of a frigate, and there alas! 
 he died of the yellow fever. When forced to 
 fly from Paris, I had to leave everything behind 
 me in our mansion, and heaven knows what be- 
 came of all ! I saved our jewels, and by a pre- 
 caution of my deeply lamented husband, a large 
 sum of money was secured for our support in a 
 foreign land. We fled to Toulon, where my hus- 
 band possessed a fine estate, thinking that the 
 march of the revolution might be checked by the 
 determined loyalty of the Toulon inhabitants and 
 the fleet; but you are aware how afiUirs 
 turned out." 
 
 William Thornton expressed* himself very 
 grateful to Madame for her narrative and the 
 interest she expressed, and that he must only 
 rest contented with the state of things as they 
 were, until he could communicate with Sir 
 Oscar de Bracy, if he still lived. 
 
 Little Mabel, who had been listening with 
 wrapt attention and watching the changes in the 
 expressive features of our hero, suddenly said :
 
 190 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " Mamma's name was De Bracy, and if jou, 
 dear William, are a De Bracy, we must be rela- 
 tions; is it not so?" 
 
 " I trust it may prove so, Mabel ; such a con- 
 tingency would make me very happy indeed." 
 
 Captain O'Loughlin joined them with the two 
 Miss Yolneys, who had been walking the deck 
 with him, for somehow the gallant Captain con- 
 trived — whether with his tongue or his eyes we 
 cannot say — to make himself wonderfully agree- 
 able to both those young ladies, and, as he hoped, 
 especially to Mademoiselle Agatha. 
 
 When the ladies retired to the cabin the two 
 friends continued to pace the deck, and William 
 Thornton detailed the particulars of Madame 
 Volney's narrative, confirming their conjectures 
 of the previous night. 
 
 " From ray heart I warmly congratulate you," 
 cried the Irishman, pressing the midshipman's 
 hand, " be my conscience ! another thing gladdens 
 my heart as much as any other part of the in- 
 formation you have received, and that is, that 
 you're a countryman of mine. And faith, let
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. li)! 
 
 John Bull mimic us, and denounce us in his arro- 
 gance as a vulgar and ignorant set without any 
 pretensions to be gentlemen, and all rebels at heart, 
 he is vastly mistaken. There are as loyal hearts 
 in old Ireland and as good blood, too, as any in 
 Britain, and though we may like a row and a 
 drop of whisky now and then, we are always 
 ready to stand up for tlie flag of Old England, 
 whenever it needs our defence. Now 1 tell you 
 what we must do j the moment we get to Eng- 
 land we must inquire whether Sir Oscar de 
 Bracy has returned to his native land, if not, he 
 must be written to at once, and there is no 
 question, in my opinion, when he hears all the 
 particulars, but that he will with joy and delight 
 own you as his son." 
 
 Our hero was so full of conflicting thouojhts 
 arising from the recent unexpected revelations, 
 so momentous to him, that he could scarcely 
 reply to questions or attend to his friend's conver- 
 sation. This singular combination of events, 
 produced by the very simple fact of his being 
 permitted to accompany Lieutenant Cooke in
 
 192 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 the expedition to Toulon, had led to the whole; 
 all those with whom he had thus become 
 connected, were linked in a chain of evi- 
 dence. 
 
 " You seem in the clouds, William," remarked 
 O'Loughlin, " and, indeed, there is enough to be- 
 wilder a young head like yours; but there's no 
 use in bothering one's brains till the time comes 
 for action. See, we shall run into the bay in a 
 very short time, and, since we are here, I think 
 I will try and get up a better and taunter set 
 of masts, if the Port- Admiral is willing. If we 
 should chance to have a brush or a run with 
 any of the enemy's cruisers on our way home, 
 we should be at a great disadvantage." 
 
 An hour afterwards the " Babet" was at 
 anchor. As nothing of any consequence oc- 
 curred during the forty-eight hours they re- 
 mained in Gibraltar, and as Mr. O'Loughlin was 
 not allowed a refit, the Commander on the 
 station thinking he was quite in a condition to 
 make the voyage to England, he again got 
 under weigh, having spent a few hours, how-
 
 THE FRIGATE A\D THE LUGGKR. 193 
 
 ever, in escorting his fair guests over the lions 
 of the place. 
 
 Two days after leaving Gibraltar, the tveather 
 became very bad, so much so, that both the 
 Captain and our hero doubted the power of the 
 " Babet," under her thin rig, to save herself 
 from being blown ashore on the coast of Spain. 
 However, with a slight change in the weather, 
 they safely entered the Bay of Biscay, though, 
 owino; to the violence of alternate westerlv and 
 northerly gales, much too close in with the 
 French coast for their liking. The weather had 
 been so thick, squally, and bitterly cold up to this 
 time, that the ladies v^-ere forced to keep below; 
 and but once, indeed, from the period of leaving 
 Gibraltar, were they able to walk the deck. It 
 was the month of January, and they could ex- 
 pect nothing else. One night the wind fell, but 
 a heavy sea and a thick fog still prevailed — 
 thick as during the two previous days. Just at 
 daybreak a very light breeze sprung up from the 
 nor* -west, and, as the fog lifted a little, our hero, 
 
 VOL. I. K
 
 194 - THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 who was on watch, thought he perceived^ as he was 
 Juoking out over the weather quarter, something 
 dark, that loomed like the hull of a craft, amid 
 the vapour. He called the attention of the 
 quarter-master, who was standing near him, to 
 the object, but the fog again grew dense, and 
 obscured their view; but so satisfied was Wil- 
 liam that what he had seen was the hull of a 
 vessel, that as they were on dangerous ground, 
 he roused his Commander, who had lain down 
 half-dressed; he jumped up in a moment, know- 
 ing how sharp and quick the young midship- 
 man's eyes were, and ascended upon deck. 
 Five minutes afterwards the fog again lifted, 
 and so suddenly that the water was perfectly 
 clear for five hundred yards all round. To the 
 great surprise of all parties, those on board the 
 corvette beheld, within three hundred yards of 
 them, two vessels whose calling there was no mis- 
 taking. 
 
 The nearest, our hero thought one of the 
 handsomest vessels of her class he had ever seen. 
 She was a long, low, beautifully-shaped craft,
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 195 
 
 lugger rigged, but with the taunt musts raking 
 like a slaver's. She carried ten four-pounders 
 and several brass swivels, and appeared to be 
 full of men. The other was a schooner, a 
 handsome vessel, and carrying eight guns, pro- 
 bably six-pounders. 
 
 Both crowded sail when they beheld the 
 '^Babet;" but, as tlie tricolor was flying at the 
 corvette's peak, and her French build deceived 
 them, they tacked and stood towards them. 
 
 " Now, my lads," said Captain O'Loughlin, 
 '* we must take those two fellows or sink them. 
 That lugger, I know, can outsail us, therefore 
 the first thing to do is to cripple him; so down 
 with the tricolor, and give him a dose under the 
 bunting — that always wins." 
 
 Down went the revolutionary flag, and in its 
 place arose old England's ensign. This pro- 
 ceeding astounded the two strangers. The 
 lugger was the well-known and notorious priva- 
 teer, " Vengeance," the fastest and most suc- 
 cessful of its description, out of any French port 
 
 ■ — a perfect pest to commerce. This, of course, 
 
 K 2
 
 196 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 AYas not then known to those on board the 
 " Babet," neither could our hero imagine how 
 much that said lugger would affect his after 
 destiny. 
 
 The moment the lugger became aware of the 
 dangerous enemy she was approaching, then she 
 "wore, firing her starboard guns at the same 
 time. 
 
 But the " Babet" poured in a broadside from 
 her heavy metal that seemed to do considerable 
 mischief,' in fact, wounding her nuin mast so 
 severely that, had there been more wind, it 
 would have gone overboard. 
 
 The schooner came boldly up, and, seeing 
 how few men were on board the " Babet" fired a 
 broadside into the corvette, cutting her rigging 
 up and wounling two of the crew. She had 
 also a heavy pivot-gun, which she was prepar- 
 ing to use, loaded with grape. 
 
 But, the wind freshening, the crew of the 
 corvette, with a hearty cheer, returned the 
 broadside, at only pistol-shot distance. This 
 action evidently confounded the crew of the
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 19 
 
 schooner, which at once bore up, whilst a dis- 
 charge from the larboard side of the " Babet" 
 knocked the main-mast of the lu;]jj;er over the 
 side. 
 
 Again did the crew of the corvette cheer, 
 though, unfortunately, one man was killed, and 
 four wounded, by the broadside. The schooner, 
 however, having her braces and principal rigging 
 sTiot away, missed stays, and the next minute 
 the " Babet," luffing up, the schooner fell on 
 board her, on her starboard quarter. 
 
 " Now then," exclaimed young Thornton, to 
 his favourite top-man. Bill Saunders, who had been 
 purposely selected to accompany the corvette to 
 England; " Now then, let us at them with 
 cutlass and pistol !" and, with a wild hurrah, he 
 sprang into the shrouds of the schooner, and 
 then, cutlass in hand, sprung upon her deck. 
 
 Saunders followed, with a daring set of 
 boarders, and, swinging his cutlass round his 
 head, dashed headlong after his favourite. 
 There were nearly fifty men on deck, and the 
 boarders of the corvette were met at first with
 
 198 THE iTvIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 desperate obstinacy. But the midshipman was 
 a daring youth, of great activity and strength 
 for his years; he burst through the enemy and 
 reached the Captain, who was furiously urging 
 on his men, swearing he would sink the schooner 
 before he would strike his flasf. Seeinoj 
 young Thornton driving his men forivard, he 
 aimed his pistol at his head, but missed him; 
 •whilst our hero, drawing one from his belt, fired 
 in return, and the Captain fell dead upon the 
 deck. The mate, uttering a terrible oath, 
 clutched his musket, and, with a blow behind, 
 felled "William Thornton beside the Captain, 
 but Bill Saunders drove his cutlass through the 
 mate, and had lifted the midship man in his arms, 
 just as Captain O'Loughlin, with a dozen men, 
 threw himself on board. 
 
 Dispirited and disheartened by the fall of their 
 Captain, and seeing their mate desperately 
 wounded, the crew of the schoo;ijr tlirew down 
 their arms and surrendered. 
 
 During this contest on board the schooner, 
 the " Vengeance," in her crippled state, had
 
 THE FPtlGATE AND THE LUGGER. 199 
 
 kept up a constiint fire upon the " Babet," but 
 a dense fog again setting in, accompanied by 
 drizzling rain, shut out all objects around. 
 
 "Are you much hurt, William," demanded 
 O'Loughlin, anxiously, of the midshipman, as 
 he sat on the cabin hatch, letting Bill Saunders 
 bind up his wound on the head, with a hand- 
 kerchief. 
 
 " No, nothing of any consequence,'* replied 
 our hero, rising up, and looking around j " but 
 where is the lugger?" 
 
 " To the deuce with the lugger," cried Captain 
 O'Loughlin, "jump on board and pacify the 
 women; they are frightened out of their wits, 
 and have got it into their heads you are killed." 
 
 The young man jumped on to the deck of the 
 "Babet," and in another minute was in the 
 cabin. Mabel gave a cry of joy, and the girls, 
 shaking him by the hand, expressed their joy 
 at his safety — hoping that Captain O'Loughlin 
 was unhurt, and, indeed, anxious for the safety 
 of all on board. 
 
 "Our gallant Captain is quite safe," replied
 
 200 THE iRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 our hero, petting his little favourite, who clung 
 to him with sweet affection. 
 
 " You have had a terrible fight, Master 
 Thornton," observed Madame Volney, '^ and you 
 are hurt." 
 
 " We certainly had a sharp brush whilst it 
 lasted," said our hero; "but, as to my hurt, it 
 is nothing. O'Loughliu has persuaded me that 
 I am an Irishman, and, consequently, my head 
 is composed of harder material than heads are 
 usually. Now, having proved I am alive, I 
 must leave you, and help my Commander to 
 clear the vessels," and, kissing Mabel, he hurried 
 up on deck. 
 
 The schooner was named the '* Bon-Cito- 
 yen," and had been commanded by the late Victor 
 Chabot, whose brother-in-law was Captain of 
 the ''Vengeance." It was a valuable prize; 
 having a large sum of money on board, be- 
 sides some valuable cargo, previously taken 
 from English ships. 
 
 It was finally settled between Captain 
 O'Loughlin and our hero, that the latter should
 
 THE IRIGATE AND TUE LUGGER. 201 
 
 run the schooner, with ten men, to Plymouth, 
 keeping company with the " Babet'' as long as 
 circumstances or weather would perxuit. Ac- 
 cordingly, after the prisoners had been disposed 
 of, and the dead committed to the deep, Thorn- 
 ton proceeded to bid the females farewell for a 
 time. 
 
 This separation annoyed them all. Mabel 
 was in tears, and almost felt inclined to ask to 
 go in the schooner with her friend. 
 
 " We shall be alongside all the time, Mabel," 
 observed her young protector, " so keep up your 
 spirits. We shall meet again in Eni|;land in a 
 couple of days." 
 
 The midshipman proceeded on board the prize, 
 taking with him, as his mate, Bill Saunders. 
 There were four killed on board the schooner be- 
 sides the captain, and nine wounded, including 
 the mate, a man apparently of a brutal and 
 fierce disposition, for though carefully attended 
 and taken to the " Babet," — he could walk not- 
 withstanding his wound, — he cursed and vowed 
 
 vengeance the whole time. The vessel was very 
 
 K 5
 
 202 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 little damaged in her spars or sails, ber rigging 
 had principally suffered, but a few hours would 
 set all that to rights. Captain O'Loughlin, as the 
 ■weather was thick, arranged a mode of signals 
 should the fog continue, and he also agreed to 
 fire a gun if he tacked. So shaking hands the 
 friends parted, and in a few minutes, so dense 
 ■was the fog, they lost sight of each other. 
 
 Young Thornton naturally felt very proud of 
 his command, and though he limped a little 
 from the thrust of a boarding pike in the leg, 
 and smarting at times from the blow on the head, 
 he walked the deck of the prize with amaz- 
 ing satisfaction, wishing for Charles Pole as a 
 companion, now that he had lost the kind-hearted 
 cheerful O'Loughlin. 
 
 The schuouBr, after parting from the " Babet," 
 kept close hauled, sailing about six knots; the 
 water was tolerably smooth, but the rain fell in 
 thick drizzling showers. Bill Saunders was 
 taking a turn at the helm, when our hero paused 
 in his walk beside him. 
 
 " I wish it would clear. Bill," he observed in a
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 203 
 
 thoughtful tone, " for though I am steering the 
 course agreqJ upon, I am not at all satisfied that 
 we shall clear the French coast on this tack. 
 Can you lie no higher?" 
 
 "No, sir; her topsail shivers now. It is very 
 thick, and for nearly four days we have not 
 had a glimpse of the land. Where do you say 
 we are, sir?" 
 
 " Captain O'Loughlin thought we were some- 
 where oflf Isle Dieu, about two or three leagues 
 distant, but I fear we aro much nearer. Now if 
 that is the case, and the wind stands us it is, we 
 shall never be able to weather the West Pen- 
 marks." 
 
 " Suppose as how, sir," said Bill, " if the 
 weather keeps thick like this — and it is thick 
 ..enough for soup — suppose as how, sir, we makes 
 a long leg seaward." 
 
 " I shall certainly do so. Bill, if it keeps oa 
 this way. The swell is also very rapidly in- 
 creasing from the nor'-west, an ugly customer 
 where we are, to say nothing of the chances of 
 meeting privateers and cruisers from Brest. I
 
 204 TUE FlIlGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 wonder where that lugger is now, not far off I 
 dare say. She is a very beautiful craft, cer- 
 tainly the handsomest lugger rigged vessel I ever 
 saw." 
 
 " We should have had her also, sir, only for 
 this here fog — darn it." 
 
 Towards sunset instead of looking up, the 
 schooner fell off, the wind heading them, and 
 freshening considerably. On sounding several 
 times our hero found he had forty or fifty 
 fathoms ; this he knew to be about the soundings 
 close in with Belleisle, a couple of leagues off he 
 ought to have about sixty. 
 
 Calling the gunner, he desired him to fire a 
 gun as agreed upon when either vessel should 
 tack. This was done, and all listened thinking 
 it would be returned, but finding no response he 
 ordered the schooner about. 
 
 " I do not think the ' Babet ' has outsailed 
 us in this light wind," observed our hero to an 
 old and experienced man- of- wars man, who acted 
 as his first mate. 
 . "No, sir J under rigged as the corvette is, \
 
 THE FKIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 205 
 
 should say this craft would outsail her, and 
 beat her on a wind. Perhaps the Captain tacked 
 and forgot to fire the gun." 
 
 " I do not think that," returned our hero. 
 "However we will let her stand on on this board," 
 and having set the watch and taking all neces- 
 sary precautions he retired to eat his dinner, and 
 have a look at what the cabin contained.
 
 206 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The main cabin of the " Bon-Citoyen" was, 
 though not very large, extremely comfortable, 
 and bore a very war -like aspect, the panels and 
 sides all being covered with various small arms 
 arranged in fanciful devices. Young as he 
 was, and a midshipman, Thornton could not 
 help reflecting on the uncertainty of life, when 
 he recollected that a few hours back the cabin 
 had been tenanted by Captain Victor Chabot, 
 in full life and vigor; and now, thought our 
 hero, he lies at the bottom ot that vast expanse 
 of ocean that entombs so many thousands. Too
 
 THE IRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 207 
 
 young to be sad or reflect long on serious things, 
 the young coni:iJunder shaking off the feeling of 
 depression that had for a moment come over him, 
 returned upon deck. The fog was still thick, 
 but the wind was rapidly increasing, and so was 
 the sea. Before midnight they were under a 
 double reefed topsail, and double reefed mainsail 
 and foresail; the schooner was then put about, 
 with her head to the nor' nor'-east. 
 
 Our hero was too anxious to retire to rest; he 
 felt too great a responsibility rested upon him, 
 particularly in the then state of the weather, and 
 the ticklish situation in which they were placed. 
 He also felt uneasy at not being answered by the 
 " Babet" when he had fired the gun at sunset, so 
 that altogether he was extremely anxious for day- 
 light. The fog, as the wind increased, was gra- 
 dually dispersing, and towards morning the mist 
 over the sen had totally disappeared. The gale 
 and sea went on increasing, so that when the 
 day made, all hands on board anxiously scanned 
 the horizon around. As the light increased, land 
 was at once seen on the starboard bow, and
 
 208 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 not more than two leagues distant, but a mist 
 hung over the coast, rendering it obscure. 
 
 " I am certain tlie hmd we see ahead is the 
 West Penmarks, Mr. Lochart," said our hero 
 to the first mate, " and it is very strange I can- 
 not make out the ' Babet' any where, or the 
 lugger. I see a brig standing under close reefed 
 topsails to the sou' west, and three or four other 
 craft under easy canvass running in for the 
 land." 
 
 "There is certainly, sir, no 'Babet' to be 
 seen," replied Mr. Lochart, " and it makes me 
 uneasy, for if we had not tacked we should have 
 been unable to weather the land under our star- 
 board bow, and in this gale embayed, we might 
 not have been able to carry sufficient canvass to 
 work out." 
 
 William Thornton, if the weather bad per- 
 mitted, would have felt inclined to stand back, 
 and see what could have become of the corvette, 
 it seemed so strange that they should thus have 
 parted company ; but his instructions were, under 
 any circumstance, to make the best of his way
 
 THE FUIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 209 
 
 to Plymouth, and so, though very unhappy, 
 fearing some accident to the corvette and his 
 little charge, Mabel, thus desert.;d by him, 
 though far from his intention to do so, he carried 
 on till he made the land out, when he found he 
 was quite correct, as the ranges of rocks he first 
 beheld were the West Penmarks. 
 
 Having weathered the land he was able to 
 ease off his tacks, and finally running before the 
 gale, he ran into Plymouth Sound the evening 
 of the second day from parting company with 
 the " Babet." 
 
 Leaving him in safety, we must return to dis- 
 cover what became of the corvette and our little 
 heroine, Mabel Arden, who was greatly grieved 
 "when she understood that her young protector, 
 being made master of the schooner, the " Bon- 
 Ciloyen," they would be separated; but Madame 
 Yolney consoled her, by the assurance that the 
 two vessels would be close along-side one another 
 the rest of the voyage. 
 
 Although the " Babet " and her prize had lost
 
 210 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 sight of each other, owing to the dense fog, both 
 vessels steering the same course, the crews did 
 not expect to be very far asunder when the fog 
 should clear off, and permit them seeing over 
 the water. 
 
 Now it unfortunately happened as the wind 
 increased, the men who went aloft to reef the 
 *'Babet's" topsail found the fore topmast had 
 been so very badly injured by a ball from the 
 heavy pivot gun of the '* Bon- Citoyen," that it 
 required fixing and securing before they could 
 attempt to carry sail up it, and whilst this was 
 doing the '' Babet," was kept away a point or 
 two. On a closer examination it was found 
 necessary to shift the spar altogether, and the cor- 
 vette was then brought on a wind under her fore 
 course, double-reefed main-topsail and driver; 
 thus, as the schooner sailed two feet for her one, 
 by sunset she was out of hearing of her gun. 
 Captain O'Loughlin felt not at all uneasy, for, 
 unfortunately, he did not consider himself so 
 near the land as he was. Thus, they had scarcely
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 211 
 
 shifted their fore-topmast and got up another 
 when the man forward called out in a loud and 
 alarmed voice : 
 
 " Land on the larboard bow." 
 
 And the very next instant, the " Babet " 
 struck the ground with considerable force; but 
 the next moment beat over the tail of a bank, 
 and getting stern way on, her commander in- 
 stantly ordered her anchor to be let go, and her 
 sails to be furled. This was promptly and well 
 executed, and the " Babet " at once rode to her 
 anchor. They were then in five fathoms water. 
 This untoward event occurred about an hour 
 after midnight. So exceedingly thick was the 
 weather, accompanied with a continuous drizzling 
 rain, that even at the short distance they were 
 from the land, it was invisible. 
 
 Several of the French prisoners were on 
 deck, and they said without hesitation that 
 the " Babet " had struck on one of tlie shelv- 
 ing banks on the north-east end of Belleisle, 
 that they were quite aware the vessel would 
 run ashore, but it was no business of theirs; they
 
 212 THE FlUGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 were only a few hours out from Belleisle them- 
 selves when thej fell in with the " BabeL." This 
 statement Captain O'Loughlin felt to be truth. 
 After doing all he could to assuage the alarm of 
 the females and set a guard over his prisoners, 
 who appeared inclined to be unruly, he ordered 
 the boat to be lowered, and the second mate and 
 a boat's crew were sent to sound astern of them, 
 but, to their surprise, they came almost immedi- 
 ately upon a rocky shoal, about twenty fathoms 
 from where the ship lay, and finally they dis- 
 covered she was surrounded with rocks, so much 
 so that it appeared incredible how she got where 
 she was without striking some of them. Where 
 the corvette lay the water was tolerably smooth, 
 though the wind increased rapidly. There was 
 nothing to be done, however, till day-light, for 
 to attempt to extricate her from her extraor- 
 dinary position at that time was out of the ques- 
 tion. They had thirty-four able-bodied prisoners 
 onboard, including officers, and fourteen wounded ; 
 these Captain O'Loughlin at once determined to 
 put ashore as soon as dawn broke, so that he
 
 THE FRIGATE A?^D THE LUGGER. 213 
 
 might not be hampered in either saving the ship, 
 or defending himself from any enemy that might 
 attack him. He had but thirty-five men able to 
 work the " Babet," inclu ling his ofl&cers and the 
 surgeon. 
 
 As the daylight appeared the fog lifted, the 
 gale increased but shifted a point or two, so that 
 where the vessel lay the wind blew partly off the 
 shore. It was only an hour's ebb when he 
 anchored, so that at low water he touched the 
 ground, but no more, and the swell was very 
 trifling. 
 
 Before sun-rise the mist and fog had all dis- 
 appeared, and anxiously everyone gazed around 
 them; to their surprise, the first thing that 
 caught their sight was their late antagonist, the 
 "Vengeance" lugger, lying at anchor, at the 
 back of a low point, not four hundred yards 
 from them. She was still without her main- 
 mast, but the moment the look-out caught sight 
 of the " Babet," her cable was cut, and in an 
 instant her fore and mizen lug were set, and she 
 was under weigh. Dropping out from under the
 
 214 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 land, and getting to a distance, she was hove to, 
 evidently watching the movements of the cor- 
 vette. 
 
 The corvette was not five hundred yards from 
 the shore, and about six miles from the strong 
 town and citadel of Palais, which had some 
 thirty odd years before stood a long siege, and 
 was surrendered to the English on honourable 
 terms, but was given up some few years after- 
 wards. 
 
 The " Bubet's " situation was in truth critical. 
 On every side were ranges of rocks, all visible at 
 low water, with a narrow gut, through which the 
 vessel singularly enough, had run in. Now to 
 work out through that narrow passage was quite 
 impossible. It was to be done with a leading wind 
 certainly, but the gale, though not direct in, yet 
 would not permit a ship to lead out on one tack, 
 and it blew much too strong to attempt to work 
 through it. Already they could see numbers of 
 persons assembled on the lofty rocks lining the 
 shore. They were just within musket shot of 
 the beach, and Captain O'Loughlin well knew
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 2 15 
 
 tliat a party of soldiers would soon arrive from 
 the citadel of Palais, and open fire upon theai 
 from the rocks. 
 
 He was, however, deter. nined to get rid of his 
 prisoners, and accordingly landed them six at a 
 time; they were very unruly, and swore vehe- 
 mently that the " Babet" should never leave that 
 spot in the possession of the English. 
 
 Being able now to use all his crew, Captain 
 O'Loughlin resolved to attempt to warp at high 
 water into a berth, from whence he might make 
 sail, but the fates appeared against the '•'• Babet,'' 
 for just as her Commander was preparing to 
 make his hazardous attempt, the lofty spars of a 
 large ship appeared round the north-east end of 
 Belleisle, and in five minutes more a thirty-six 
 gun frigate, with the tricolour flaunting in the 
 gale, came rapidly into view, and seeing at once 
 the situation of the corvette, taking her for a 
 French ship, she lay to, and commenced hoisting 
 out her boats. As she was doing so, the " Ven- 
 geance " ran up along side of her, and then the 
 corvette's real character became known, and im-
 
 216 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 mediately one of the boats with a flag of truce 
 pulled in for her. 
 
 Captain O'Loughlin was deeply chagrined, re- 
 sistance was totally out of the qnestior ; and 
 added to his great vexation, was the thought 
 that the ladies on board, as well as his 
 friend Thornton's little charge, would fall into 
 the hands of the revolutionary party. Mad ime 
 Yolney and her daughters were in terrible des- 
 pair; they saw that Captain O'Loughlin suffered 
 intensely, and being unable to express in French 
 what he felt and wished to advise, rendered him 
 even more miseral)le; but just as the boat had 
 come within hail of the corvette, a gun from the 
 French ship and a signal run up to the mast 
 head, caused them, to the extreme surprise of 
 Captain O'Loughlin, to at once turn back, and 
 lower the flag of truce. 
 
 " What's in the wind now?" exclaimed Captain 
 O'Loughlin. " Be the powers of war, Mr. 
 Pearson," addressing his first mate, " there goes 
 the frigate and the lugger, the lugger bang in 
 amongst the Cardinal Rocks, and the frigate
 
 THE FKIGAfE A.ND TUB LUGGER. 217 
 
 standing right across us. Lie down, quick," 
 he shouted to the men, as he cast a glance round, 
 " she is going to tire." 
 
 As he spoke an iron shower passed partly over 
 them, wounding two men, and cutting the 
 " Babet's " rigging in many phices into shreds. 
 The next instant she was plunging into the head 
 sea without the island. This seeming mystery was 
 soon explained, fur the tall masts of another large 
 ship were seen rounding the point, and soon the 
 sails and hull of an English frigate came into 
 view. A loud and triumphant cheer burst from 
 the crew of the " Babet,'' and in a moment the 
 English ensign was waving from her mast- 
 head The English frigate was about half a mile 
 from the shore; and as the wind then blew she 
 could lie along the coast of Belleisle, and gain the 
 open sea on rounding the eastern side. She was 
 evidently following the French frigate, and both 
 were seeking the open sea, probably to attack 
 each other, for in the confined space between 
 Belleisle, the Cardinal Kocks, and the banks and 
 
 VOL. I, L
 
 218 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 shoals lying off the mouth of the Loire, it vvouM 
 have been impossible, as the wind then blew, to 
 manoeuvre two frigates with any degree of 
 safety . 
 
 As soon as the English ship beheld the 
 *' Babet," a signal was run up at her mast-head, 
 requiring to know her name. This was answered 
 and several other signals followed. Captain 
 O'Loughlin thus learned that the British frigate 
 was the "Iris," thirty-two guns; tlie French ship 
 the " Citoyenne-Francaise;" but in a quarter of 
 an hour the latter disappeared, standing out to 
 sea on the same tack as the Frenchman. 
 
 "Now, my lads," said Captain O'Loughlin, 
 cheerfully, " We must get out of this place as 
 fast as possible, the wind favours us a point or 
 two since morning, so just be quick; splice and 
 knot the rigging, and we will attempt the passage 
 "before they can send any troops from Palais to 
 pepper us." 
 
 Madame Volney, her daughters, and Mabel, 
 "became inspired with fresh hope, when almost 
 on the brink of despair. Having repaired the
 
 THE FKIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 219 
 
 rigging, a boat's crew put an anchor in a position 
 that would enable thein to set sail, when warped 
 up to it. With his glass, Captain O'Loughlin 
 could discern a body of men coming along the 
 heights, these he supposed to be soldiers from 
 Palais; but the " Babet " was soon warped to her 
 berth, and aided by the shift of wind, she ran 
 safely out under double-reefed topsails, and then 
 tacking, stood out to sea on the same board as 
 the "Iris " frigate,* and three days aftervvards, 
 to the intense joy of our hero, and also of all on 
 board the "Babet," shej'an into Plymouth along- 
 side the " Bon-Citoyen " schooner. 
 
 * The "Iris'' afterwards engaged the" Citoyenne-Francaise," 
 and after an obstinate contest, the French ship, her masts stand- 
 ing, got away, and ran into the Bourdeaux river. The " Iris ' 
 lost her foremast, main topmast, and mizen ; the French frigate 
 had her captain and fifteen officers and seamen killed. 
 
 L 2
 
 220 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 CHAPTER XIL 
 
 Sir Godfrey Etherton, eight or ten days after 
 the arrival of the "Babet," in Plymouth, re- 
 ceived a letter from Mr. Joseph Staninore, solici- 
 tor. The Baronet was in his study when the 
 letter arrived j he opened it with some surprise 
 and curiosity, for he did not know the writing 
 and perused the following lines : — 
 
 " London : • Square, 
 
 "January 21st, 1794. 
 "Sir,— 
 
 " I beg to acquaint you with the arrival 
 
 in London of your niece. Miss Mabel Arden, 
 
 ■who is at present residing with a French lady,
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 221 
 
 the widow of Admiral Yolney, a fugitive or 
 emigrant from her native country, and who has 
 kindly taken charge of Miss Arden, for a short 
 period. I have also to state that a young gentle- 
 man, an officer in the naval service, has placed 
 in my hands a sealed casket, which he received 
 from Miss Arden's mother, tlie Duchesse De 
 Coulancourt, with an injunction for it to be 
 opened in his presence and that of Miss Arden's 
 nearest relative, which I understand you are. 
 Any further particulars I will defer till T have 
 the pleasure of seeing you, which I hope will be 
 as soon as may be convenient. 
 
 " I have the honour to be, 
 
 " Yours most obediently, 
 "Joseph Stanmore." 
 
 Sir Godfrey Etherton read this letter twice, 
 and looked very serious, as he muttered half 
 aloud : 
 
 " So she is come at last." 
 
 He remained thoughtful some time, then rising 
 he proceeded to the drawing-room, where Lady
 
 222 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 Etberton and two of her youngest daughters were 
 sitting near a blazing fire. 
 
 " I have just received intelligence," com- 
 menced the Baronet, " that Miss Arden has arrived 
 in London." 
 
 "Oil, indeed !" returned Lady Etherton, whilst 
 the two girls, both very plain, but very fashion- 
 ably dressed in the ugly style of the period, 
 looked up from their fancy work. 
 
 " I wonder what she is like," said Miss 
 Jane to her sister Barbara. " Howard said she 
 was such a puny thing, that she would hardly 
 live to reach England." 
 
 " It's very obvious," said her mother, " that 
 she has lived, nevertheless. I suppose, Godfrey, 
 you "will have to go to London, and bring her 
 here; the weather is very severe for so long a 
 journey." Even from Southampton to London 
 sixty years ago was called a long journey. Oh, 
 steam and rail, v^diat a different world you have 
 made of it! Who can tell in sixty years more, 
 but that steam and rail will be looked upon 
 as slow coaches are now-a-days?
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 223 
 
 " Yes," replied Sir Godfrey, handing the letter 
 to his spouse. " I must set out to-morrow. I 
 shall not require you to accompany me, but I 
 will take Jane, to keep the child in counte- 
 nance and companionship." 
 
 " I wonder if her mother still exists," said 
 Lady Etherton. 
 
 *'Not very likely," answered the Baronet, "in 
 the state France is, that any titled aristocrat 
 would escape, though by birth an Englishwoman. 
 But it's strange that Mrs. Arden or the Duchess 
 De Coulancourt should in a manner confide her 
 child and a valuable casket, no doubt, to the 
 care of a boy." 
 
 " And a boy of no family or connection," re- 
 marked Lady Etherton, laying down the lawyer's 
 letter. 
 
 " That is of very little consequence now," Sir 
 Godfrey replied, and turning to his daughters, 
 said : " You had better, Jane, make some arrange- 
 ments for to-morrow ; I shall leave early so that 
 we may reach LondoD in good time the follow- 
 ing day."
 
 224 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 The two girls then left the room. 
 
 " It has just struck me," remarked the 
 Baronet, " that as this child is, no doubt, totally 
 uneducated, whether it would not be better to 
 place her in some first-rate establishment for the 
 education of young ladies, than to bring her 
 here. For several reasons I think that would be 
 the best plan, as all our girls are finished off, 
 and to bring a governess again into the house 
 would be unpleasant." 
 
 " You might do so in the spring," returned 
 Lady Etherton; "but for appearance sake I 
 think she had better come here for a few months. 
 I wonder greatly what is in the casket." 
 
 " Some family jewels, I suppose," replied the 
 Baronet; "perhaps some papers to prove the 
 child's birth, &c. But I forgot to mention to you 
 that I saw in the Plymouth paper an account of 
 a spirited action fought by the corvette that 
 brought Miss Arden to England, v^'ith two French 
 privateers. She took one, a very large schooner, 
 which it seems was brought to Plymouth by this 
 young midshipman, William Thornton. The
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 225 
 
 corvette had scarcely half her armament, anditis 
 stated only forty-five men on board at the time. 
 Now, this midshipman has attracted great atten- 
 tion; his gallantry during the action, and the fact 
 of his having shot the Captain of the Privateer, 
 at a critical moment, and also having brought 
 the prize home safely, notwithstanding some tre- 
 mendous gales, has caused him to be highly spokea 
 
 of. Even Admiral B has taken notice of him, 
 
 and I think it extremely probable that he will 
 be made a Lieutenant at once, without waiting 
 the expiration of his time." 
 
 " Hem, indeed !" returned Lady Etherton with 
 a contemptuous look and manner, " this boy 
 seems to be fortune's favorite, — a lucky chance 
 I suppose. I dare say if Howard had had the 
 opportunity he would have done equally well." 
 
 " Of course he would," returned the baronet 
 confidently, " however, Howard shall not want 
 either an opportunity or the means of distin- 
 guishing himself, when the time comes. It is 
 very clear every one cannot have the chance 
 
 L 5
 
 226 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 at the same time, or the service would be over- 
 run with young heroes." 
 
 "Well," observed the mother, "I am sure, 
 ■when the time does come, my son will not be be- 
 hind hand in spirit or ability," and so the con- 
 versation ended. 
 
 Everything being prepared for a journey, Sir 
 Godfrey Etherton and his daughter Jane took 
 their departure in the fimily chariot with post 
 horses. A journey from the family mansion to 
 London, in those not very remote days, required 
 nevertheless a whole twenty-four hours. On 
 reaching town our travellers took up their 
 abode at Pierce's hottd. Now Jane Etherton 
 was extremely anxious to see this little Mabel 
 Arden, though she considered her a mere child > 
 still she created a kind of excitement in her 
 mind. Jane Etherton was not a handsome "irl, 
 and, we regret to add, by no means an amiable 
 one. About twenty years of age, rather tall and 
 slight in person, and vain and selfish in disposi- 
 tion ; vehilst her manner was extremely arro- 
 gant and overbearing to all she consid ered her
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 227 
 
 inferiors, and to tliose of her own rank and sta- 
 tion in life she was stiff and often supercilious. 
 She had heard her mother say that the unex- 
 pected turning up of Miss Arden would mate- 
 rially diminish hers and her sister's fortunes, as 
 their father would be obliged to refund a very 
 large sum which Miss Arden, as the daughter 
 of Mr. Granby Arden, would by right inherit. 
 That Sir Godfrey was quite ignorant that his 
 brother had ever married, therefore the unex- 
 pected appearance of this little girl was a most 
 disagreeable event. 
 
 " But," continued the mother, " we may con- 
 sider it a most fortunate circumstance that Miss 
 Arden, who had a brother, alone lives to claim 
 the inheritance. Her brother was beheaded, she 
 asserts, somewhere in France, during the convul- 
 sions that overthrew the French monarchy, 
 otherwise we should have lost not only the 
 estate but the title." 
 
 We cannot vouch for the fact, but it was said 
 that Miss Jane observed that it was a great pity 
 something of the same kind did not happen to
 
 228 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 Miss Arden ; for it was too bad to have to give up 
 property so long considered their own. We 
 presume, therefore, though Miss Jane was a little 
 curious to see Mabel, she was not prepared to 
 regard or receive her with any very kindly or 
 cousinly feeling. 
 
 The day following the arrival of Sir Godfrey 
 Etherton in London, he despatched a note to 
 Mr. Stanmore, the solicitt>r, appointing an hour 
 on the next day for a meeting. If the time was 
 not convenient he requested the solicitor to name 
 his hour; requesting also to know where he 
 should find Miss Arden. 
 
 A polite answer was returned, stating that 
 the time mentioned by the baronet was quite 
 convenient, and that ?»iiss Arden was residing 
 for the time with Madame Volney, who had 
 rented a detached cottage at Brompton, No. 7, 
 East End Terrace. 
 
 On consideration, Sir Godfrey deferred visit- 
 ing Madame Yolney till after his interview with 
 Mr. Stanmore, so at the appointed hour he pro- 
 ceeded to the solicitor's residence. The baronet
 
 THE FiilGATE AND THE LUGGER, 229 
 
 was shewn into a handsome sitting-room, where 
 he beheld Mr. Stan more and two gentlemen, to 
 whom the baronet was introduced by the soli- 
 citor, first to Lieutenant O'Loughlin and then 
 to William Thornton, saying : 
 
 " This is the young midshipman who has acted 
 so kindly and gallantly towards your niece, Miss 
 Arden." 
 
 The baronet first bowed politely to Lieutenant 
 O'Loughlin, though wondering why that gentle- 
 man should be present, but when face to face 
 with our hero he scarcely bent his head, and the 
 expression of his countenance was haughty if not 
 contemptuous. A careless smile passed over the 
 midshipman's very handsome and prepossessing 
 countenance as he perceived the tdiange of ex- 
 pression in Sir Godfrey's features when intro- 
 duced to him, but the solicitor, who also marked 
 the change, looked serious. 
 
 " I have wished Lieutenant O'Loughlin," said 
 Mr. Stanmore, addressing Sir Godfrey, " to be 
 present at the opening of this casket," directing 
 the baronet's attention to that article lying on
 
 230 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 the table, " because Lord Hood mentioned in his 
 letter to me, that considering the youth of Mr. 
 Thornton, he had better be accompanied to Lon- 
 don by his friend Lieutenant O'Loughlin, who 
 would have, conjointly with Master Thornton, 
 the care of the casket. Acquainted with this 
 proceeding on the part of Lord Hood, I con- 
 sidered it my duty to secure the presence of Mr. 
 O'Loughlin on the occasion of this meeting." 
 
 " I can see no objection," said Sir Godfrey, 
 " but I think Lord Hood might have dispensed 
 with the services of so young a lad as Master 
 Thornton altogether." 
 
 This was said in an ungracious tone, and 
 O'Loughlin's cheek flushed, as he retorted rather 
 sharply : 
 
 " Faith ! Sir Godfrey, perhaps his services in 
 saving mother and daughter's life might equally 
 be dispensed with. As I find — " 
 
 The lawyer coughed, fidgetted about, and 
 seeing a dark frown on Sir Godfrey's brow, in- 
 terrupted the worthy lieutenant, by saying: 
 
 " Excuse me, gentlemen, but business is busi- 
 
 f
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 231 
 
 nessj we will at once open the casket and see 
 to its contents." 
 
 Approaching the table he took it up, remark- 
 ing that it was heavy. 
 
 The casket was evidently of Indian workman- 
 ship beautifully put together; the sides and edges 
 inlaid with silver, richly engraved with various 
 curious hieroglyphics. A large massive wax seal, 
 bearing the arms of the Duchesse de Coulan- 
 court, covered the key-hole. 
 
 " You may perceive, Sir Godfrey," remarked 
 the solicitor, " that this seal is perfect in all its 
 parts." 
 
 " Undoubtedly," returned the baronet, " it 
 could not be otherwise in honorable hands." 
 
 " I can assure you, Sir Godfrey," said Lieu- 
 tenant O'Loughlin coldly, " that my gallant 
 young friend perilled his life to pi'eserve that 
 casket, and there was no fear of any one tam- 
 pering with it whilst under my care." 
 
 Sir Godfrey bowed, observing: " It was for- 
 tunate his niece had had such able protectors of 
 both her person and her property."
 
 232 THE FRIGATE AND TOE LUGGER. 
 
 Mr. Stanmore, who did not admire either the 
 tone or the look of the baronet, and who could 
 very well judge of the feelings of the two young 
 men, hastened to break the seal. William Thorn- 
 ton, with a look not particularly conciliating at 
 Sir Godfrey, handed the key, which was of rather 
 curious construction. This the solicitor inserted, 
 turned the lock, and then threw up the lid, all 
 present naturally leaning forward, feeling some 
 little curiosity concerning its contents. 
 
 Each naturally expected to behold jewels of 
 great value and diamonds; what they first beheld 
 were shavings. These appeared a rather strange 
 packing material for a rich jewel case; but sup- 
 posing that the Duchess, in her extremity, could 
 find no other, these were carefully removed, 
 when to their intense mortification, surprise, and 
 indignation, nothing was found but pieces of old 
 worn lead wrapped in pieces of old sacking or can- 
 vass. The four spectators remained for several 
 moments gazing at each otlier, unable to utter a 
 word. 
 
 Sir Godfrey Etherton was the first to recover
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 233 
 
 from the surprise all felt; he started to his feet, 
 his sallow cheek flushed and his ejes glistening 
 with the feeling of unaccountable relief, and even 
 of triumph. What cared he for the poor child 
 thus left penniless? 
 
 " Ah," he exclaimed, not trying to conceal 
 the joy he felt, or the triumphant tone of his 
 voice; "so this is the end of our investigation, 
 I thought from the first the whole story was a 
 trumped up one, and that this supposed Duchess 
 of Coulancourt was some artificial adventurer 
 and her daughter." 
 
 " Hold, sir, and take care what you say!" in- 
 terrupted O'Loughlin, the fierce angry flash from 
 his dark eyes telling how strong was the struggle 
 within that hindered him from felling the Baronet 
 his feet, whilst William Thornton could hardly 
 contain himself. "How, Sir Godfrey," continued 
 the Lieutenant, checking his rage, " can you 
 presume to call the Duchess of Coulancourt an 
 adventuress, because this casket, be it how it 
 may, has been tampered with?" 
 
 *' Sir," returned the Baronet, with a dark
 
 234 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 frown, gazing fiercely at the Lieutenant, and his 
 lip trembling with passion, " I am not answer- 
 able to you, or any man, for my words; I am, 
 however, responsible for the honour of my family. 
 I was invited here, and I came expecting to re- 
 ceive proofs of a child of my brother's — a lawful 
 child, mind you — bopn in wedlock — when at the 
 same time I felt fully convinced that my brother 
 never was married, even though my Lord Hood 
 appears to say to the contrary, but who cannot 
 say who his wife was, or whether, — pray hear 
 me to the end, Lieutenant O'Loughlin," con- 
 tinued the Baronet, waving his hand, seeing the 
 angry impatience of the honest sailor; " Lord 
 Hood is depending on reports; 1 cannot depend 
 on any such foundation. I am quite willing to 
 listen to reason, or to do my duty, provided T 
 am satisfied with the proofs put before me; but 
 you or any one else may depend I will not con- 
 sent to rob my children of their rightful inheri- 
 tance, without some substantial evidence of birth, 
 marriage, &c. This young man," continued the 
 Baronet, turning with a look of fierce hatred
 
 THE FllIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 235 
 
 towards William. Neither O'Loughlin nor the 
 solicitor interrupted him, waiting patiently till 
 he had ceased speaking. " This young man is 
 introduced into the presence of a female, appar- 
 ently hiding — from whom — who can say? See- 
 ing how young and inexperienced was the person 
 introduced to her, she declares herself to be a 
 Duchess, thinking this high title uould impose — " 
 
 " You are going too far, Sir Godfrey Ether- 
 ton," interrupted William Thornton, losing all 
 patience; his features flushed with excitement as 
 he confronted the Baronet, and their eyes met. 
 " I will not stand here, quiescent, to hear a noble 
 lady and her unfortunate child so grossly 
 maligned and insulted. You have, no doubt, 
 received a false statement of facts from your 
 son, Howard Etherton — " 
 
 The Baronet, one of the most excitable and 
 passionate men breathing, lost all control over a 
 temper that had rendered his name one of detes- 
 tation in the naval service of his country. 
 
 "How dare you!" fiercely interrupted Sir 
 Godfrey, stamping on the floor with rage, "you,
 
 236 THE FrvIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 the son of a common seaman, dare to accuse my 
 son of giving false statements! Ym forget, 
 boy, to whom you speak !" 
 
 The Baronet felt a grasp upon his shoulder 
 that turned him round face to face with the ex- 
 cited O'Loughlin, whilst poor Mr. Stanmore, a 
 quiet and rather tiaiid man, looked and felt ex- 
 tremely miserable and uneasy. 
 
 " Ah," he thought to himself, " these sons of 
 the ocean are terribly fiery; better use the pen. 
 than the sword — a much safer weapon !" 
 
 " Sir Godfrey Ether ton," said the Lieu- 
 tenant, speaking calmly, though he trembled 
 with passion ; " Why I have not felled you to 
 my feet, I cannot say ! You are no longer oa 
 the quarter-deck of the ' Dauntless,' where your 
 passions found vent upon the victims your anger 
 selected. You here, in your supposed triumph 
 in ousting a poor child out of its parents' heri- 
 tage, hurl insult upon the head of an unfortunate 
 lady, and dare to call your brother's wife an 
 impostor and an adventuress I" 
 
 " I will listen no more to this tirade !" furi-
 
 THE FRIGA.TE AND THE LUGGER. 237 
 
 ously exclaimed the Baronet, seizing his hat; 
 and as he reached the door he turned, and shak- 
 ing his clenched hand at O'Loughlin, he added : 
 "You shall hear from me, Mr. O'Loughlin; and 
 as to this farce of a niece, I disclaim all relation- 
 ship, and leave to those who have trumped up 
 this deception the right to make the most of 
 their ill-got-up project." So saying, the Baronet 
 slammed the door after him. 
 
 The worthy solicitor leaned back in his chair, 
 exclaiming : 
 
 " God bless me, I'm glad he's gone!" 
 "Faith, so am I," said O'Loughlin, wiping his 
 brow, '-for if he had remained only two minutes 
 more he would have vanished through the win- 
 dow !" 
 
 " This is too bad," exclaimed William Thorn- 
 ton. " What a heartless, worldly-minded man!" 
 " Oh, confound him, don't bother about him; 
 ■we'll defeat him yet, and by Jove, if he only 
 gives me a chance, which I am afraid lie will not, 
 I'll make him remember O'Loughlin."
 
 240 IDE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 *' Now, I beg you, Mr. Thornton," contiiiueJ the 
 solicitor, addressing our hero, " I pray you to 
 recall every circumstance that occurred after 
 receiving the casket, for it may be quite possible 
 that the contents might have been extracted 
 previous to your receiving it from her 
 hands." 
 
 " No, Mr. Stanraore," returned the midship- 
 man, " not previously, of that I am confident, 
 and 1 will tell you my reason for being so. 
 When introduced into the chamber where I first 
 saw the Duchess of Coulancourt, and whilst con- 
 Tersing with her, I observed that casket on the 
 table, the lid was up, and though I could not, or 
 indeed thought of trying to inspect the contents, 
 still I can safely say there were no shavings 
 whatever in it. I observed her close the lid, 
 lock it, and then aflBx the seal, after doing which 
 she gave me the key ; therefore, the Duchess 
 could not have been deceived. Whilst conduct- 
 ing Miss Arden through the streets, several 
 ruffians made eflforts to get it from me, but they 
 failed."
 
 THE FRIGATE AiND THE LUGGER. 241 
 
 *' Afterwards," enquired Mr. Stanmore, *' what 
 did jou do with the casket; that is, when you 
 got back to the boats?' ' 
 
 " I still held possession of it," said the mid- 
 shipman, " till we all got on board the dismasted 
 frigate, where we were to remain for some hours, 
 and where the Commissioners had prepared re- 
 freshments for us. Poor Mabel was so fatigued 
 and overcome, that I begged her to lie down in 
 a berth. I placed the casket at the foot of the 
 berth, covered it over, and found it in the same 
 place when we had directions to return to our 
 ships." 
 
 *' How long, Master Thornton," questioned 
 Mr. Stanmore, " do you think the casket re- 
 mained in the berth with the little girl." 
 
 "Oh! I should say several hours, from three 
 or four o'clock in the day till ten at night, we 
 could not venture to cross the outward harbour 
 till dark. I examined the casket when I took it 
 up, and Mabel said she had not been disturbed 
 by any one." 
 
 VOL. I. M
 
 242 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 " Nevertheless," observed Mr. Stanmore rising 
 and ringing the bell, and then taking up the casket 
 he began carefully to examine it, " it is possible 
 it may have been tampered with during those 
 hours. I feel satisfied that shavings and lead 
 were not its original contents, and that those 
 contents could not be changed without hands. 
 I am anxious to investigate the mystery as fully 
 as possible. You see, Lieutenant O'Loughlin, 
 it is beautifully put together, and all the edges 
 clasped with silver plates," and turning it up, he 
 keenly examined the bottom, which had no plate 
 of any kind across it. 
 
 " There does not appear the slightest indica- 
 tion of any attempt at opening it," observed the 
 Lieutenant, carefully scrutinizing it. 
 
 " I am not so sure of that," said the solicitor; 
 "but I will have a keener eye to examine 
 into this, and one accustomed to these kind of 
 things, and who has often been employed to de- 
 tect dexterous burglaries. Ah ! here is John," 
 and turning to his servant, he desired him to go 
 across the street and request Mr. Robins, the
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 243 
 
 jeweller, to come to him for a few minutes, and 
 to bring one or two of his spring saws with him. 
 
 The two young sailors wondered what Mr. 
 Stanmore expected to find, but the worthy soli- 
 citor remarked to William Thornton : 
 
 " When on board the frigate in Toulon who 
 did you see there, were there many persons 
 about?" 
 
 "No, Mr. Stanmore, there were not; for after 
 the committee men left, there was only the 
 steward, three or four sailors, and about as many 
 convicts or galley slaves, who were at liberty 
 about the ship with only an iron ring round 
 their ankles, but they did not come into the after 
 cabins." 
 
 ■^"Ah! here is Mr. Robins," observed Mr. 
 Stanmore as the jeweller entered the room, bowed 
 to the gentlemen present, and at once fixed a 
 remarkably keen pair of grey eyes upon the 
 casket. 
 
 "Ah! Mr. Robins," said the solicitor, "I 
 
 see your eyes are upon this casket," laying his 
 
 hand on it. 
 
 M 2
 
 244 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER, 
 
 *' Yes," replied Mr. Robins, taking it up, '* an 
 Indian cabinet or casket beautifully put toge- 
 ther, and yet by no means a particularly safe 
 article for holding valuables; for though exqui- 
 sitely worked and the e^lges all clasped and 
 riveted, there is no security in the bottoms." 
 
 " Ah! so I thought," said Mr. Stanmore, and 
 then he briefly explained how he suspected the 
 contents of the casket to have been stolen, with- 
 out breaking the seal over the key hole. 
 
 "Nothing more easy," remarked the jeweller, 
 " to an expert burglar, with a watch-spring 
 saw — the bottom has been taken out ;" and draw- 
 ing from his pocket a small case, he selected a 
 remarkably fine blade of a knife, and began 
 passing it along the edge or sides till the knife 
 stopped. 
 
 " Ah," he continued with a satisfied smile, 
 " I see, a watch-spring saw, exceedingly fine, has 
 been used here to cut the small pins holding the 
 bottom to the sides," and taking one of those in- 
 struments he passed it all round, finding only 
 four pins and a powerful cement. He soon freed
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 245 
 
 the bottom, and then all plainly perceived it had 
 been previously held to the sides by twelve steel 
 pins, which had been all sawed, the contents ab- 
 stracted and the bottom cleverly replaced, and 
 four very small iron brads used to fasten it, and 
 then cement put along the edges. 
 
 "By Jove! that's it," said O'Loughlin, 
 " there's no mistake. This job was done on 
 board that confounded ship whilst Mabel slept." 
 
 "Yes," replied Mr. Stanmore excessively 
 chagrined, whilst William Thornton's face flushed 
 with vexation. 
 
 " Ah !" remarked the jeweller, " some of those 
 French convicts are most expert burglars." 
 
 " No doubt," observed Mr. Stanmore, address- 
 ing William Thornton, " you were observed 
 carrying the casket and watched, and whilst the 
 tired little girl slept and you obtained refresh- 
 ment, the theft was committed." 
 
 " If you look at the lead," said Mr. Robins, 
 who had examined it, " you will easily see it is 
 the lead used for ship's scupers, put in to make 
 the weight up. Less than an hour to an expert
 
 244 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 *' Yes," replied Mr. Robins, taking it up, '* an 
 Indian cabinet or casket beautifully put toge- 
 ther, and yet by no means a particularly safe 
 article for holding valuables; for though exqui- 
 sitely worked and the edges all clasped and 
 riveted, there is no security in the bottoms." 
 
 "Ah! so I thought," said Mr. Stanmore, and 
 then he briefly explained how he suspected the 
 contents of the casket to have been stolen, with- 
 out breaking the seal over the key hole. 
 
 "Nothing more easy,*' remarked the jeweller, 
 " to an expert burglar, with a watch-spring 
 saw — the bottom has been taken out ;" and draw- 
 ing from his pocket a small case, he selected a 
 remarkably fine blade of a knife, and began 
 passing it along the edge or sides till the knife 
 stopped. 
 
 " Ah," he continued with a satisfied smile, 
 " I see, a watch-spring saw, exceedingly fine, has 
 been used here to cut the small pins holding the 
 bottom to the sides," and taking one of those in- 
 struments he passed it all round, finding only 
 four pins and a powerful cement. He soon freed
 
 THE FlilGATE AND THE LUGGER. 245 
 
 the bottom, and then all plainly perceived it had 
 been previously held to the sides by twelve steel 
 pins, which had been all sawed, the contents ab- 
 stracted and the bottom cleverly replaced, and 
 four very small iron brads used to fasten it, and 
 then cement put along the edges. 
 
 "By Jove! that's it," said O'Loughlin, 
 " there's no mistake. This job was done on 
 board that confounded ship whilst Mabel slept." 
 
 "Yes," replied Mr. Stanmore excessively 
 chagrined, whilst William Thornton's face flushed 
 with vexation. 
 
 " Ah !" remarked the jeweller, " some of those 
 French convicts are most expert burglars." 
 
 " No doubt," observed Mr. Stanmore, address- 
 ing William Thornton, " you were observed 
 carrying the casket and watched, and whilst the 
 tired little girl slept and you obtained refresh- 
 ment, the theft was committed." 
 
 " If you look at the lead," said Mr. Robins, 
 who had examined it, " you will easily see it is 
 the lead used for ship's scupers, put in to make 
 the weight up. Less than an hour to an expert
 
 246 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 hand would complete the job, if provided with a 
 watch-saw and a piece of wax." 
 
 Mr. Robins, having partaken of a glass or 
 two of wine, then retired. 
 
 " This is a sad misfortune for the little girl," 
 said Mr. Stanmore, feelingly. " I could very 
 well perceive Sir Godfrey was exceedingly re- 
 joiced to get rid of his relationship to Miss 
 Arden. No doubt she has a large claim upon 
 the estate, as Mr. Granby Arden's only child." 
 
 " Sir Godfrey Etherton," observed William 
 Thornton, with great bitterness, "may yet be 
 made sorely to repent his almost brutal cruelty 
 to his lawful niece. Besides, it is by no means 
 certain that her brother is dead, and, if he still 
 exists, he will strip this proud and heartless 
 man of both title and fortune. In the mean 
 time, Mr. Stanmore, something must be done for 
 Miss Arden, till her mother, the Duchess of 
 Coulancourt, can get to this country." 
 
 " I shall be most happy to assist you in any 
 way, Master Thornton," observed the solicitor. 
 
 " Well then, Mr. Stanmore," continued our
 
 THE IRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 247 
 
 hero, "as she cannot remain a burden upon 
 Madame Yolney, whose means are limited, I 
 should wish her to be placed in one of the best 
 establishments for youijg ladies in the vicinity 
 of London, and no pains spared in her educa- 
 tion. I can place six hundred pounds prize- 
 money in your hands for that purpose, and I 
 am quite satisfied Madame Yolney will pay her 
 every attention till her mother arrives." 
 
 "You're a jewel of a boy, by my conscience 
 you are!" exclaimed Lieutenant O'Loughlin, 
 vehemently, and clasping his favourite by the 
 hand, "and,harkee! Mr. Stanmore, I'll place the 
 same sum in your hands, and that will make a 
 clear twelve hundred for the little girl, and last 
 her till, please the Fates ! we knock double the 
 amount out of Monsieur Crapeau." 
 
 Mr. Stanmore was much moved by the simple, 
 noble conduct of the two sailors ; he remarked 
 that he had two daughters at school with a 
 most talented and highly-educated lady, who 
 received only a few pupils, and resided about 
 fifteen miles out of London. By this lady Miss
 
 248 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 Arden would have every kindness shown her, 
 and have the very best masters. 
 
 " Now, I have a couple of hours' business to 
 transact, but I shall expect you both to dinner, 
 and, after that very necessary daily occupation 
 is over, we shall have full time to settle every- 
 thing." 
 
 The two friends, somewhat reconciled to their 
 mishap in the loss of the contents of the casket, 
 though desperately indignant at Sir Godfrey's 
 conduct, then shook the solicitor heartily by the 
 hand, and departed to pay a visit to the 
 Volneys.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 249 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Three years have passed since the events re- 
 corded in our last chapter took place, and, at 
 the end of that period, we find our hero, whom 
 we must still style William Thornton, third 
 Lieutenant of the *^ Diamond" frigate, com- 
 manded by his sincere friend Captain Sir 
 Sidney Smith. To add to his pleasure at this 
 appointment, procured through the interest of 
 Lord Hood, his attached friend and companion, 
 Patrick O'Loughlin, was first Lieutenant of the 
 same ship. Our hero had passed his examina- 
 tion with considerable credit. The " Diamond" 
 
 frigate was ordered to cruise ofi" Brest, in company 
 
 M 5
 
 250 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 with the "Flora" and the "Arethusa." Before 
 we proceed with our story, we will briefly record 
 the events of the three years, so far as they 
 biassed the fortunes of our hero. 
 
 Having received the prize-money due to him 
 from the capture of the " Bonne Citoyenne," 
 William Thornton placed it under the control 
 of Mr. Stanmore, for the benefit of Mabel 
 Arden, Lieutenant O'Loughlin insisting on 
 giving a similar sum. 
 
 " You shall repay me," said the generous 
 sailor, when our hero remonstrated, " when the 
 little girl becomes your wife, and she regains 
 her rights." 
 
 "■ But, my dear friend," replied our hero, 
 " that event is not likely to occur. I love the 
 dear child as a sister, and will protect her as 
 long as she requires a protector; but I am not 
 at all in love, and certainly a little .girl, not 
 quite thirteen, and not very beautiful, is not 
 very likely to create the tender passion such as 
 the fair Agatha inspires in the bosom of my 
 gallant friend."
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 251 
 
 " Oh ! bother about tender passion ; wait a 
 bit," said the Lieutenant; "in the mean time 
 let the thing be as we have fixed it, and let 
 us turn your attention to making inquiries 
 about mj dear benefactor. Sir Oscar de Bracy." 
 
 Mr. Stanmore was made their confidant in 
 this afiair also. He listened with great 
 patience, and agreed that it appeared extremely 
 probable that William Thornton was, in fact, 
 Sir Oscar de Bracy's son, at the same tiir.3 
 taking down all the dates and names and parti- 
 culars they both could give him. He then told 
 them they must allow him time — a few days — 
 to make inquiries. 
 
 During that period, Mabel Arden had become 
 acquainted with Mr. Stanmore's amiable daugh- 
 ters. Rose, the youngest, was just a year 
 older than Mabel, and, at once, she took a great 
 fancy to her. Mabel was charmed with the 
 kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Stanmore and family. 
 "When informed of the conduct of Sir Godfrey 
 Etherton, she only expressed her bitter regret 
 that her dear, kind-hearted brother, William,
 
 252 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGEE. 
 
 should suffer such haughty treatment and in- 
 dignity on her account. As to the contents of 
 the casket, she was positive her mother had 
 placed in it cases of valuable jewels, and many 
 most important papers; but she still hoped her 
 dear mother would yet arrive, and prove to the 
 cold-hearted Sir Godfrey Etherton that he had 
 cruelly wronged her. 
 
 Mrs. Samson's establishment for young ladies, 
 where the Misses Stanmore were to proceed in 
 a few days with Mabel, was situated near 
 Windsor. 
 
 Mabel burst into tears when she heard of 
 William Thornton's and Lieutenant O'Loughlin's 
 generosity. She felt their kindness deeply; it 
 made a strong and forcible impression on her 
 most affectionate nature. 
 
 Madame Volney and her daughters were most 
 comfortably located, and promised not to lose 
 sight of Mabel, and it was arranged she should 
 spend her holidays alternately with them and 
 the Stanmores. 
 
 Agatha Yolney had really become attached to
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 253 
 
 the handsome and generous O'Loughlin. She 
 had studied English so successfully, and he 
 French with such assiduity, that, before they 
 left London, Patrick O'Loughlin declared 
 French to be the most delightful language for 
 making love in in the world. 
 
 " I have tried love-making, my boy," he 
 exclaimed to our hero, " in Irish, in English, 
 and without speaking any language at all, but, 
 be the pipers of war ! give me French from this 
 night." 
 
 " Ah !" replied the midshipman, laughing, 
 " wait till you have a trial in Italian — that's 
 the sweet language for love." 
 
 "Oh, bother!" returned the Lieutenant, "I'm 
 settled for life. She's promised to marry me 
 when I'm a post-captain." 
 
 " The deuce !" cried our hero, whistling. 
 "Post-captain! Why, O'Louglilin, has the 
 pretty Agatha taken a sudden fancy to grey 
 whiskers?" 
 
 " Don't you imagine, my boy," said the Lieu- 
 tenant, laughing, " that I am going to wait for
 
 254 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 that, with this fine, hot war. Wait awhile — 
 we shall go to work directly." 
 
 Whilst Mr. Stanmore was making his in- 
 quiries concerning Sir Oscar de Bracy, William 
 Thornton set out for a visit to the cottage of 
 his generous and kind-hearted protector, the 
 coxswain, to remain a week with him. He 
 found the old couple hale and hearty. The 
 coxswain felt so proud of his adopted son, and 
 so elated at his conduct during the time he had 
 served with Lord Ilood, that he swore roundly 
 he was sure to be an Admiral. The old man 
 also felt intensely anxious concerning Mr. Stan- 
 more's inquiries with respect to our hero's 
 parentage. 
 
 He recollected very well, when first he saw 
 the child on the deck of the *' Surveillante" 
 frigate, that the men said the boy's name was 
 Oscar. Indeed the child, when questioned, 
 lisped some kind of word like Oscar, but that 
 he considered an outlandish name, and was sure 
 it was not real, but some pet term; it was not 
 ship-shape, so he called him William, after himself.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 255 
 
 At the termination of a week, our hero re- 
 turned to London, having received a letter from 
 Lieutenant O'Loughlin, stating that he had been 
 appointed First Lieutenant of the " Diamond" 
 frigate, commanded by Sir Sidney Smith, who 
 was very anxious to see him in London, and 
 wished him to serve the rest of his time as 
 midshipman with him. This was agreeable 
 tidings to our hero, so, taking an affectionate 
 leave of his early protector, he proceeded to 
 London. Through Lord Hood's interest he got 
 appointed to the *' Diamond." Whilst in Lon- 
 don he was constantly at Madame Volney's. 
 Mabel was at Mrs. Samson's; no tidings of her 
 mother having reached England had yet been 
 received, which caused much uneasiness to the 
 young man, as well as to his protegee, for he 
 feared some untoward event had baffled Jean 
 Plessis's endeavours to rescue the Duchess. 
 
 Mr. Stanmore was at length enabled to give 
 our hero the result of his inquiries respecting 
 Sir Oscar de Bracy. 
 
 " It appears," said the solicitor one day,
 
 256 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 when our hero was dining with him previous to 
 his departure for Plymouth, where the " Dia- 
 mond" frigate was stationed; "It appears that 
 Sir Oscar de Bracy is the last of a very old 
 Irish family, who settled in that country about 
 the time of Elizabeth, having conquered by the 
 sword a large tract of territory in the west, 
 and the head of that family was created a 
 Baronet by James the First. 
 
 " Since that period, from one cause or another, 
 their fortunes have declined, and the property 
 become divided, so that at present the family 
 of de Bracy is represented only by Sir Oscar, 
 the last male descendant of the Irish de Bracys. 
 He had a sister, who is said to have died 
 abroad when very young. Sir Oscar de Bracy 
 and this sister, it seems, were left orphans, with 
 only a small estate, near Ban try — I think about 
 five hundred a year. The former became a Com- 
 mander in the navy, and it is said, succeeded to 
 a very large portion of the forfeited estates of the 
 Kerry de Bracys — six or seven thousand a-year, 
 I hear — by the death of a distant kinsman.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 257 
 
 Who he married I have not yet learned, now he 
 
 is Governor of , in India; but is shortly 
 
 expected home. 
 
 " I have ascertained, after some difficulty, that 
 Ladyde Bracyand her child embarked, with their 
 attendants, in the " Spitfire" gun brig, to pro- 
 ceed to Plymouth, with the intention of going 
 out to India in the " Penelope" frigate. But 
 neither the brig, nor any human being belong- 
 ing to her, was ever seen or heard of from the 
 time she left Bantry. Now, by comparing 
 dates, there appears to me no question in the 
 world but that the " Spitfire" brig was the 
 vessel run down by the French ship the " Sur- 
 veillante," and that you are the child saved in 
 the long boat, jolly-boat, or whatever name you 
 sailors give to those afiairs. It would be 
 amazingly satisfactory if we had that Lieu- 
 tenant Yolney's written statement, and the 
 picture; but as that is out of the question, I 
 fear, we can only state facts as they are to 
 Sir Oscar, when he arrives in England, and, no 
 doubt, your likeness either to him or your poor
 
 258 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 mother, or the proofs we can shew, with old 
 Thornton's statement, added to Madame Yol- 
 ney's, will be quite sufficient to convince your 
 father. Nature will do something." 
 
 Such was the substance of the information 
 our hero received. He had only to remain 
 patient, till time, which reconciles most things, 
 should bring him and his father together. He, 
 accordingly, shortly after, proceeded to Ply- 
 mouth, and joined the " Diamond," and, after 
 three years' more service, he, as we said, passed 
 his examination, and became Third Lieutenant 
 of the " Diamond," and proceeded to cruise off 
 Brest. 
 
 The last letters he had received were from 
 Mr. Stanmore, stating that Sir Oscar had 
 stopped, from ill-health, at the Cape; no tidings 
 had been heard of the Duchess, and that Mabel 
 Arden had grown into a lovely girl; that Sir 
 Godfrey Etherton was dangerously ill, and that 
 young Howard Etherton had quitted the service 
 and returned home. 
 
 *'Now, my lad," said his friend, Lieutenant
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 259 
 
 O'Loughlin, " what do you say to that? Your 
 little Mabel, whom you had the impudence to 
 call plain, with eyes like a gazelle ! Now, you 
 see, she has turned out, what I always pro- 
 phesied, a lovely girl. I am astonished at you ! 
 What's beauty ! Faith, now I recollect, you 
 were half in love with that — " 
 
 " Come, come, O'Loughlin," interrupted our 
 hero, laughing, " do not think to have it all 
 your own way. Perhaps if I were to give 
 Agatha Volney a little sketch of a certain — " 
 
 " I cry quits," said the Lieutenant, with a 
 smile ; " but, by the way, Agatha's sister is 
 going to be married shortly to young Lord 
 Stinthorp — a splendid match. Madame Yolney 
 fortunately has been left a very handsome 
 legacy by a relation who died out at Cuba, 
 which places her in the position she is entitled 
 to fill." 
 
 " I rejoice to hear it, old friend. Where did 
 you get all this intelligence." 
 
 *' In letters brought out by the " Etna" gun- 
 boat. We go out to the Mediterranean before
 
 260 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 "we return to England, so that it may be some 
 time before we receive news again." 
 
 One morning after this conversation, Sir 
 Sidney Smith received orders from Sir John 
 Borlais Warren, who commanded the force, to 
 proceed with the " Diamond" and have a look 
 into Brest harbour. This order aroused the 
 spirits and energies of the frigate's crew, because 
 there was considerable risk in the undertaking. 
 Anything but an inactive life for a British 
 sailor. 
 
 The " Diamond" was accordingly disguised as 
 much as possible, so as to resemble a French 
 frigate. 
 
 With the wind blowing due east the frigate 
 commenced beating up for the entrance, 
 and as it approached, the crew could per- 
 ceive three French ships of war also working 
 up to windward. As the day declined. Sir 
 Sidney made up his mind to anchor, so as to 
 be able to take advantage of the next flood tide. 
 The frigate therefore let go her anchor, between 
 Porte St. Matthew and the Bec-du-Rez. Distant
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 261 
 
 about two miles from them was perceived a large 
 ship, and nearer to the Bec-du-Rez lay a re- 
 markable looking vessel, lugger- rigged. 
 
 The moment William Thornton turned his 
 glass upon this last-mentioned vessel, he said 
 aloud : 
 
 " By Jove ! that's her." 
 
 " What is it, Thornton?" enquired Sir Sidney, 
 coming to his side. 
 
 " I am sure I know that lugger, Sir Sidney," 
 replied our hero. " The light is fading away 
 fast, still I am positive that vessel is the famous 
 privateer, the 'Vengeance;' the craft we fought 
 when in the ' Babet,' and when we took the 
 'Bonne-Citoyenne' schooner." 
 
 " The deuce it is ! I have heard a great deal of 
 that lugger, which seems to defy all our cruisers, 
 and has taken a number of prizes. I wish it 
 were possible to cut her out, but we should then 
 be detected by that man of war close alongside 
 her." 
 
 " We should have taken her, sir, the time we 
 were engaged with her and the schooner," said
 
 262 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 our hero, "but for the dense fog; as it was 
 we knocked out her main-mast out of her. The 
 crew of the ' Bonne-Citoyenne* said she belongs 
 to Havre, and that there's not a craft afloat 
 can touch her." 
 
 " A very vain-glorious boast," said Sir Sid- 
 ney ; " we may chance to catch hold of the 
 fellow some day or other. We must be under 
 weigh by eleven o'clock, for the flood-tide will 
 have made by that time." 
 
 " There's another large ship, sir, further up, 
 but she is not distinctly visible, being partly 
 behind the point." 
 
 *' Oh, we will have a look at her,*' returned 
 Sir Sidney. 
 
 By twelve o'clock the " Dia mond" was again 
 under weigh, and, with easy sail, continued 
 working up the noble inlet forming the many 
 harbours designated as Brest. On nearing the 
 ship at anchor, they could make her out to be 
 a ship of the line; still they created no sus- 
 picion. 
 
 " By my conscience," said O'Loughlin to our
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 263 
 
 hero, as they paced the deck, " we are making 
 free and easy with the enemy's port; if that hig 
 fellow yonder only knew who we were, would'nt 
 it wake him out of his sleep !" 
 
 " The very daringness of the thing, our so 
 coolly sailing up into the very heart of this vast 
 port, lulls suspicion," remarked our hero; "for 
 if the slightest idea was entertained, they could 
 blow us out of the water, from the forts on 
 
 each side." 
 
 " We shall pass close to that other frigate, 
 "William, at anchor within there; but the ebb 
 will make before we get much further." 
 
 " I wish we could just give that lugger a 
 shot, en passant" said our hero. 
 
 " Ah, mon ami," replied Lieutenant O'Lough- 
 lin, '* now we have other fish to fry." 
 
 The *' Diamond" continued under weigh till 
 daylight appeared, and then could be discerned 
 two ships coming through the Geulet (as it is 
 called) de Brest, and in Cameret Road could be 
 counted fifteen small craft at anchor, and a 
 large ship aground on Menow point. 
 
 About eight o'clock in the morning, Sir
 
 264 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 Sidney, having surveyed all round with his 
 glass, declared that there were no ships of war 
 in Brest road; the "Diamond," therefore, was 
 kept away towards St. Mathieu. 
 
 " Now, by Jove !" said Lieutenant O'Lough- 
 lin, "will be the tug of war; depend on it we 
 shall be challenged by yonder fort." 
 
 " That is the Chateau de Bertheaunie," ob- 
 served our hero, who, an hour before, had been 
 studying the chart of Brest harbour. "Ah! 
 there go the signals." 
 
 All hands were on the alert on board the 
 "Diamond," and up went the national colours 
 of France in the frigate. As they stood in, a 
 French corvette, sailing along Bertheaume Bay, 
 seemed not to admire the appearance of the 
 " Diamond," or, at all events, to become suspi- 
 cious, for several signals were hoisted, and she 
 hauled in close under the Chateau. 
 
 The " Diamond" was now compelled to pass 
 within hail of the French line-of -battle ship, 
 ■which was under jury-masts, yards, and top-masts, 
 but did not appear to have any main-deck guns,
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 265 
 
 ■whilst the crew seemed remarkably busy at the 
 pumps, the ship evidently leaking much. 
 
 Sir Sidney, who knew Lieutenant Thornton 
 spoke French exceedingly well, desired him to 
 hail, and ask the French Commander if he 
 required assistance. This was done, and the 
 reply was, " No." They said the ship was the 
 "Nestor," which had been disaiastel in a gale 
 of wind, and had parted from the fleet twenty- 
 seven days before. 
 
 The " Diamond" then crowded all sail, and, 
 notwithstanding her perilous situation, got clear 
 away in broad daylight, and before mid-day 
 joined her consort, the " Arethusa." 
 
 This happened in the month of January, and, 
 during the two following months, the " Dia- 
 mond" and " Arethusa," took several valuable 
 prizes. In one, in the mouth of March, Lieu- 
 tenant O'Loughlin was sent to England with 
 despatches, whilst the ''Diamond" proceeded to 
 cruise along the French coast. 
 
 About the middle of April, Sir Sidney stood 
 
 in, and came to an anchor in the outer road of 
 VOL. I. N
 
 266 THE FKIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 Havre. He was induced to do so from our hero 
 having caught sight, during the previous night, 
 of a large lugger creeping along shore, evidently 
 intending to make Havre. 
 
 Lieutenant Thornton fancied that this large 
 lugger might be his old antagonist, the "Ven- 
 geance," which belonged to that port; they had 
 heard from the captain of an English brig, some 
 days before, that a French privateer, lugger- 
 rigged, and full of men, had captured a large 
 Sunderland bark, and, after plundering her, had 
 tried to scuttle her; but, seeing an armed brig 
 and two cutters coming up from the westward, 
 had made sail. Luckily, the crew of the bark 
 (Jontrived to stop the leaks, and steered for the 
 nearest port. 
 
 It was about an hour after sunrise when the 
 *' Diamond" anchored, and at once Lieutenant 
 Thornton made out the lugger at anchor in the 
 inner road. 
 
 "Do you think it is the 'Vengeance?'" said 
 the Commander of the " Diamond" to our hero, 
 who was regarding her with his glass.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 267 
 
 " I'll swear to her," said the Lieutenant, " she 
 has a new mainmast and main lug, and a new 
 mizen mast, and I know we knocked the old one 
 out and damaged her oiizen." 
 
 " Then I will cut her out," said Sir Sidney, 
 " to-night. I wish O'Loughlin was here; how- 
 ever, I will take the command of the boats my- 
 self, you shall lead with the launch, into which 
 I will put an 18-pounder carronade."* 
 
 It is rather an unusual thing for a Commander, 
 on such an occasion, to take the command of the 
 boats, but Sir Sidney had a gallant and daring 
 spirit. 
 
 The second Lieutenant was therefore left with 
 the master, who was a most excellent pilot, to 
 take charge of the frigate. 
 
 This was an expedition that delighted our 
 young Lieutenant, and excited all on board. Bill 
 Saunders, who followed our hero like a shadow, 
 and who had shipped on board the " Diamond," 
 the moment he heard of Lieutenant Thornton's 
 appointment, was one of the crew of the launch, 
 
 * Fact.
 
 268 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 and in high glee. Bill was a special favorite 
 with officers and men, for he was not only a 
 first-rate seaman, but always steady and sober, 
 as fond of a lark as a boy, but knew when to en- 
 joy one without infringing on his duty. 
 
 There were five boats in all, and in number 
 about fifty-two men, but, excepting the launch, 
 the boats had only muskets. Sir Sidney him- 
 self embarked in a two-oared wherry. 
 
 It was very little after ten o'clock when the 
 expedition pushed off from the side of the " Dia- 
 mond." Sir Sidney had in the wherry with him 
 a young midshipman named Beecroft, and in the 
 launch with our hero was another midshipman 
 named Westly Wright. The night was ex- 
 tremely calm, but not very dark, they could see 
 the shores of the Seine on both sides and the 
 lights in the town of Havre. 
 
 Sir Sidney led the boats however in the 
 wherry, and having pulled on in regular order 
 till perfectly in sight of the lugger, they all 
 paused till their Commander should fix upon the 
 mode of attack.
 
 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 269 
 
 "It is a hazardous exploit, Mr. Thornton," 
 said the midshipman sitting beside our hero, 
 *' for our Commander to lead in this affair; should 
 anything happen the ' Diamond ' is in a pre- 
 carious position." 
 
 " Her master is an able pilot," returned 
 Lieutenant Thornton, " and I trust nothing will 
 happen to our high spirited and most kind- 
 hearted Commander, though 1 confess 1 wish 
 there was a breeze if it was ever so light, for the 
 tide is beginning to make up the river." 
 
 The wherry rowed up, and Sir Sidney ordered 
 the boats to take a broad sheer between the 
 shore and the lugger, so as to assume tlie appear- 
 ance of fishing boats coming out of the harbour. 
 
 This they accordingly did; and the ruse suc- 
 ceeded, or what is more probable, a bad look out 
 was kept on board the "Vengeance," but the boats 
 finally made for the object of their attack without 
 any symptoms of their being noticed. Our hero 
 resolved to reserve his fire until the lugger should 
 open upon them They had reached to within 
 pistol shot when a wreath of smoke curled out 
 
 N 5
 
 270 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 from the lugger's side, and a shower of grape 
 passed over the boats, tearing up the water, 
 splintering the side of the launch, and wounding 
 two men. 
 
 " Now, my lads," exclaimed our hero, " pepper 
 them; and stand by. Bill Saunders, ready to 
 grapple her." 
 
 "Aye, aye, sir; we must not let her go this 
 time." 
 
 The next minute they were alongside, and 
 springing upon the deck, boarding her on the 
 quarter, our hero encountered Sir Sidney coming 
 aft, having boarded her from the bow. After a 
 ten minutes* conflict, the lugger's crew sur- 
 rendered, but the first mate stole forward and 
 with an axe cut the cable. This was not per- 
 ceived for a moment, till Bill Saunders came 
 running up, saying : 
 
 " She's adrift, sir, and fast going towards the 
 shore." 
 
 " Then hunt for an anchor and let go, Bill," 
 cried the young lieutenant, going aft to speak to 
 Sir Sidney, who was talking to the Captain,
 
 THE FRIGATE A.VD THE LUGGER. 271 
 
 • 
 
 Auguste Baptiste Gaudet, a tall powerful man 
 with a remarkably repulsive countenance. 
 
 " This gentleman," said Sir Sidney, laying his 
 hand on our hero's arm, and little thinking how 
 destructive and dangerous those words would 
 prove to his officer ; " this gentleman very nearly 
 captured you once before, when you lost your 
 main mast." 
 
 " Sacre dieu — what!'' exclaimed the privateer 
 Captain, " was it Monsieur who took the ' Bonne 
 Citoyenne?'" 
 
 " Yes," returned Sir Sidney, " and shot her 
 Captain also." 
 
 '* Sacre diable!" muttered the Captain with a 
 savage scowl, which neither our hero nor Sir 
 Sidney saw or noticed, for both were anxiously 
 regarding their then critical situation. 
 
 " I shall return on board the ' Diamond,' " said 
 Sir Sidney ; " do you order the boats ahead, and 
 set all the sail you can on the lugger, put the 
 prisoners into the boats and send the;n ashore at 
 Harfleur." 
 
 " There's not an anchor in the craft," said
 
 272 THE FRIGATE AND THE LUGGER. 
 
 Bill Saunders to our hero, after Sir Sidney had 
 left. 
 
 But just then one of the men shouted out that 
 they had found a small kedge, which was ac- 
 cordingly let go, when they discovered that neither 
 the boats ahead nor the sails would move the 
 lugger against the strong flood tide making up 
 the river Seine. Day was approaching, when 
 Lieutenant Thornton perceived that the lugger 
 had dragged, and that at last she had brought 
 up, two miles higher up than the town of HaVre, 
 nearly abreast of Harfleur. The launch, after 
 landing the prisoners, had pulled back to the 
 " Diamond," and Sir Sidney Smith perceiving, 
 as the daylight made, several vessels coming out 
 of Havre to attack and retake the lugger, gal- 
 lantly pulled back to her assistance, resolved to 
 defend her to the last; a most spirited determi- 
 nation, but an unfortunate one, as will be seen in 
 our next chapter. 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 T. C. Newbt, Publisher, 30, Welbeck Street, Cavendish Sciuare.
 
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 lay to heart and follow out the suggestions, they will not only walk 
 better, dance better, and be more elegant in deportment, but they 
 will stand a chance of being considerably wiser during the process." 
 — Athenceum.
 
 In 2 vols., post 8i'0., price 21s. 
 
 LIFE IN THE LAND OF THE FIRE- 
 WORSHIPPEES. 
 
 Edited by FEEDRIKA BREMER, 
 
 Author of "Home," "The Neighbours," "The President's 
 Daughter," &c. 
 
 "This tale is, what all novels should be, less a romance than 
 reality — ^it is, in fact, a picturesque journey through a country but 
 little known to the English public, taking the reader into the very 
 heart of Persia, making him acquainted with the different tribes that 
 cover its soil, their government, religion, customs, hates and loves, 
 enlisting all our best sympathies, amusing and enlivening whilst 
 instructing us." — Globe. 
 
 " It will not fail to interest every intelligent reader." — Observer. 
 
 "This novel depicts the peculiarities of Persian life — its races and 
 peoples, and their strange faiths and fancies." — Oriental Budget, 
 
 "This book stands out — with air, light, and colour — a true literary 
 success." — Spectator. 
 
 "It is not often we have read a more entertaining book." — 
 Athenceum. 
 
 In 1 vol., post 8yo., 10s. Qd, 
 
 THE LAW OF DR^ORCE. 
 
 A Tale. 
 
 By a graduate OF OXFORD. 
 
 "The reader will scarcely be prepared for so very striking and 
 original a conception, and so thoroughly downright a 'way of putting 
 things,' as to prevent his shutting up the book and, as in the case of 
 the majority of novels, forgetting about it immediately. It is an ex- 
 traordinary book in every point of view, for the writer has fallen into 
 the rare error of writing a book which is one volume too short, 
 instead of, as usual, two volumes too long ; but he has perfectly suc- 
 ceeded in placing a curious and interesting problem before the public. 
 He carries on his readers with increasing interest in the principles 
 discussed." — Morning Post. 
 
 " The arguments for and against the dissolubility of marriage are 
 handled by the Oxford graduate with remarkable cleverness. A 
 very thrilling and interesting story is interwoven with a subject 
 which aifects so deeply the welfare of society and the happiness of 
 English homes. This tale should be universally read." — Globe. 
 
 "The main idea of the story is good. We cordially agree in the 
 main conclusions of the author as respects the indissolubility of mar- 
 riage." — Union.
 
 X
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLIN0I9-URBANA 
 
 3 0112 040250067 
 
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