“Back so soon, eh?” exclaimed the elder Ross, for it was he. “We hardly expected you for a week or more to come. And you have got her! The news is about the town; don’t stop to parley5 here. My brother and Hodge and Allan are waiting. There is much to do. What have you there?”
The boatmen were handing up three large canvas bags. The chattering6 crowd looked at them and pointed7 excitedly.
“The mails for Europe,” returned Conyngham softly. “Let us get together and consider what is best to do. Bad cess to them, I wish they were off my hands!”
As he spoke8 he started suddenly.
“What is it?” demanded Ross in a low tone.
“That blackguard English spy!” returned Conyngham. “Didn’t you see him? There he goes on a run up the street.”
71 By this time three sailors had also climbed to the wharf and picked up the canvas bags. The crowd made way as the little party started forward, Ross and the young captain leading. The people, on the whole, were in smiling good nature. There was even a trace of exultation9 in their expression, a few clapped their hands, there were some murmured “Bravos.” Had they been English or American they might have fallen to cheering.
“Heaven grant we have not been rash,” muttered Ross, “but there will be a tempest as soon as the news reaches Paris.”
“What will there be when it reaches London?” returned Conyngham laughing. “Perhaps this time our friend Lord Stormont will demand his recall or Parliament will send for him. Egad! then the fat will be in the fire!”
Although they had passed close to the spot where Ross and Allan and Hodge were standing10, no sign of recognition passed between them. The crowd had the politeness not to follow, and soon Conyngham and Ross turned down the corner toward the little inn at which the first meeting had been held; the sailors carrying the canvas bags were close at their heels, and, the landlord of the tavern11 appearing at the doorway12, the party entered. In a few minutes the rest of the plotters appeared, having come in by another entrance, and the sailors returned to the ship’s boat.
As soon as they were all seated about the table in the little front room and had ascertained13 that there was no chance of their conversation being overheard, Conyngham related his experience.
The company laughed heartily14 as he told of the English72 captain’s discomfiture15, but Hodge a moment later looked very grave. So much so, in fact, that Allan, noticing it, clapped him on the shoulder.
“What is it, friend William? You look suddenly stricken with grief or disappointment.”
“I am just thinking,” was the return, “that a great deal will have to be done before the sun goes down this day. One of us will have to post at once to Paris. We must not delay turning over the mails to the proper authorities, and—another thing—we must get this news to the ears of the Count de Vergennes before it is brought to him by Lord Stormont. I like not altogether de Vergennes’s attitude. He would see us all at the bottom of the sea rather than sacrifice a chosen project of his own, and, as I have said many a time, back of all his half-expressed desires to lend us assistance is but the hope of aiding France’s interest.”
“Well, if any one is to go,” returned the elder Ross, “it should be you, Mr. Hodge, unless you consider it necessary that the captain here should go up in person.”
Conyngham shook his head. “I’m afraid that would be impossible,” he put in. “It would never do at all, at all. I will have to stand by my ship for a few days at least, until we dispose of the prizes in such a manner as to enable me to pay off my crew. Is there much money in the treasury16, Mr. Ross?” he asked.
The latter laughed. “I don’t suppose that we have fifty pounds among us at present,” he said. “The treasury has been on the ebb17 for the past fortnight, but M. Grand, our banker in Paris, is hopeful.”
“There is a good four thousand pounds of ready money in the prizes,” said Conyngham, “and much that73 could be disposed of on the nail, could we but put it immediately in the market. But it is my belief what must be done must be done quickly. Mr. Hodge should start with the mails for Paris—no one will recognize what those canvas bags contain, and we should scent19 out some purchaser and sail out of the harbor this very afternoon and hold a little auction20 off the coast.”
“How about the prisoners?” interrupted Mr. Hodge. “What are we to do with them?”
“I, for one, will say ‘good riddance,’” returned Conyngham, “when once they are on shore. We could never keep them while we are here in port, and I propose giving them a run this very day.”
Upon this point all of the party were agreed, and also upon the necessity of Hodge’s immediate18 departure for the capital. The latter, accompanied by Allan, left the room in order to see the proprietor21 of the tavern, to which establishment was attached a stable containing a number of excellent horses and equipages suited for the highroad. They had been gone but a few minutes when suddenly Allan returned, evidently in a state of some perturbation.
“Something has happened,” he said earnestly, “that requires our immediate attention, gentlemen. A moment since I left Mr. Hodge. I was standing at the entrance to the stable-yard, from which a good view could be had of the harbor down the street. Suddenly there appeared a vessel22 sailing into the field of vision, and from her looks I knew her to be an English sloop23 of war. She was taking in sail and preparing to drop anchor in the outer harbor, when suddenly a small boat rowed out to her; an instant later she broke out her sails again, and is now74 coming in close to where the Surprise and the other two are anchored. I don’t like the looks of things.”
“We can obtain a good view of what is happening from one of the windows of an upper room,” said Conyngham.
“Let us adjourn24 there,” suggested the elder Ross. “I know the way—come, follow me.”
Without more ado he led the rest of the party into the hall, and they hurriedly ascended25 to the second floor. Entering one of the rooms, they rushed to the window.
As the inn stood upon rising ground, they had a free and uninterrupted view of the harbor over the roofs of the houses. Sure enough, there was the British sloop of war working her way in close to shore, where Conyngham’s little squadron lay. A single glance and the captain spoke quickly.
“I must get on board at once,” he said. “That fellow’s intentions are evident. Here, I have a small pocket glass. There is something doing on board the Surprise.”
As he spoke he pulled a small spy-glass from his pocket and hastily adjusting it lifted it to his eye.
“The Surprise is getting under way,” he said. “That Yankee first mate of mine has his wits about him, but, gentlemen, this is no place for me; I must get on board, if possible.”
With that he left the others, and soon they could see him on the street running at a dog-trot down toward the wharves26. Just at this moment also there was the rattle27 of wheels and the clatter28 of hoofs29, and out of the gateway30 of the stable-yard rolled a post-chaise, on the high seat of which sat Mr. Hodge. He had gone back to the75 dining-room, but not finding his companions had decided31 to delay no longer, but to push on at once.
The commissioners32 in Paris must be informed of what had happened, and steps must be taken to prepare the way, for the English ambassador was sure to raise trouble.
Conyngham had made good time of it and reached the water’s edge before the English sloop of war was half-way across the harbor. The watchers at the window saw him disappear around a corner; a minute later a row-boat shot out from the wharf, and through the glass that the captain had left behind, Mr. Ross descried33 the rowers bending all their strength at the oars34 in an endeavor to reach the lugger before the Englishman could get much nearer. The wind was against the latter, and he had been forced to tack35, but Mr. Ross could see that they were preparing to lower away a boat and that the bulwarks36 were lined with men.
“There!” he cried suddenly, “Conyngham is standing up in the stern sheets encouraging the rowers. By all the powers, he’ll make it! Row! row!” he cried, as if his voice could be heard by the men at the oars.
The big foresail of the Surprise had been dropped, and she was slowly swinging around as if in an endeavor to make her way out through the crowd of anchored vessels37 near her to the open waters that lay beyond. This could be discerned without the aid of the glass, and Allan perceiving it struck his fist into the palm of his other hand.
“The fool!” he cried. “What is he doing that for? It is the very thing the Englishman would like best—to get him in the open. His chances were much better if he stayed nearer shore.”
76 Ross, whose hand was trembling so that he could hardly hold the glass, now spoke up again.
“There!” he cried. “Look! Conyngham has joined his vessel. See, she swings back again and turns in toward shore. She’ll run that little vessel down. Heavens! that was close; she just touched.” He whirled and looked at the others. “Gentlemen, there’s sailing for you,” he said. “Did you see that? He steered38 in between those two small ones, and I know what his intentions are. He’s going to try to run the lugger into the basin next the long wharf.”
“He never can get through,” interposed his brother; “there isn’t room enough.”
“He may,” was the elder Ross’s answer, “and at all events he’s going to try it—and see, the packet follows him!”
A silence followed as they all watched the Surprise slipping along so close to the shore that her hull39 was now entirely40 hid from sight and nothing but her big sail could be seen gliding41 past the vessels moored42 to the landing-places. Then all at once the big sail was clewed up, and under the impetus43 that she had gathered the Surprise forged slowly ahead. Into the basin she slipped without a wharf line being sent to shore, and grinding along the string-piece her speed slowly slackened and then stopped. Ropes were immediately passed out and she was made fast, and at this moment, as if foiled in her design to lay her alongside, the British sloop dropped her anchor. The Prince of Orange came into the basin in the Surprise’s wake.
“Neatly done, by Jove!” exclaimed Allan. “He handled her as if she were naught44 but a shallop. Gentlemen,77 let us separate, and meet at the long wharf as soon as we can get there.”
At once they descended45 the stairs and went out into the street, where, in order to attract the least suspicion and to carry out the plan that they always adopted of being strangers to one another, they went different ways, but all heading at last in the direction of the shore.
A surging mob was gathered on the long wharf and on the decks of the vessels moored near it. At one place there was a group of a half score or more men talking excitedly in English among themselves. The Frenchmen surrounding them were listening with evident amusement, although they could not understand what was being said. The men who formed the group were the prisoners whom Conyngham had released as soon as his vessel touched the wharf; in fact, he had driven them overboard ashore46 almost at the point of the pistol.
Hastily his crew were carrying out some bales and boxes from the forward hold of the prize, and the captain standing upon the bulwarks directing them.
The crowd was watching all this as if it were part of a play arranged for their special benefit.
Mr. Ross elbowed his way quietly through the crowd and soon was close to the vessel’s side. Conyngham looked down and saw him.
“The jig47 is up,” he said, speaking so that Ross could hear him. “They’re going to hand us over. I thought as much from the looks of things. They expected me to come back here—it was all prepared, but I was a little ahead of time.”
“Well, what are you up to now?” asked Mr. Ross. “Why all this unloading?”
78 “Merely for the establishment of international good feeling,” Conyngham returned. “You’ll see in a minute.”
From his post of vantage in the bulwarks of the vessel he turned, and, taking off his hat, addressed the crowd that up to this minute, as we have said, had been nothing but amused spectators.
“Citizens of Dunkirk, people of France,” he said, “help yourselves. Here are bales of fine English cloth and English cutlery. Sure, they’re things ornamental48 and things beautiful. Help yourselves; they’re yours for the taking, and the gift of the United Colonies of America and Gustavus Conyngham, captain in the navy.”
It was enough. With something that sounded like a cheer mixed with laughter, the crowd rushed upon the bales and boxes. Many climbed unhindered over the vessel’s sides and dived down the hatchway. Conyngham leaped to the wharf.
“Now,” said he, “let the Englishmen try to land and take us. The authorities were going to let them board us while we lay at anchor unprotected. I know that, for it was a French officer who went out to the English sloop. Who can believe a Frenchman anyhow? I have told my crew to scatter49, and each man for himself. This is a pretty ending to our project, by the piper! isn’t it?” he added bitterly.
Ross did not reply, for just then he caught a glimpse of something up the wharf that had called his attention. There was a gleam of steel and a flash of blue and red, and straight toward them came marching a company of French soldiers. At the head walked an officer holding a paper in his hand, and by his side was the very English79 spy that Conyngham had seen run up the wharf. He perceived all in a glance. Turning to Ross, the young captain spoke quickly.
“Here,” he said, slipping a long sealed packet into his friend’s hand. “This is of the utmost importance. See that it reaches Dr. Franklin’s hands in Paris at once; it must not be lost, for it may save my life. De Vergennes has forsaken50 us.”
“Come,” replied Ross, hiding the paper in his pocket. “Endeavor to hide—you may escape in the crowd.”
“And be hunted like a rat with a ferret or taken like a criminal. Never that in the world. Appear not to know me.”
With that Conyngham stepped forward into the open space that the crowd had formed in giving way for the soldiers’ coming. Stepping boldly out to meet the company, the captain drew a short sword from under his long blue coat, and advancing toward the officer he extended him the hilt across the hollow of his left arm.
The officer was so surprised that he halted, as if not knowing what to do, then in some hesitation51 he took the proffered52 weapon. At the same time Conyngham spoke in a loud voice:
“Captain Conyngham of the American navy gives himself and his sword into the keeping of the Government of France.”
Then he glanced about to the English spy, but the latter had disappeared.
Leaving a guard of soldiers about the vessel, the officer and part of his company walked back up the wharf. Before he had gone many steps he returned the short sword to Conyngham, who took it with a smile and80 walked off by the officer’s side, chatting pleasantly in French with a strong touch of Irish brogue.
At the same corner where he had passed them but a few hours previously53 stood his friends. Again they gave no sign of recognition.
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1
lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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wharf
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| n.码头，停泊处 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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parley
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| n.谈判 | |
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chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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7
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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13
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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treasury
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| n.宝库；国库，金库；文库 | |
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ebb
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| vi.衰退，减退；n.处于低潮，处于衰退状态 | |
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18
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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auction
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| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
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proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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sloop
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| n.单桅帆船 | |
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adjourn
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| v.（使）休会，（使）休庭 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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wharves
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| n.码头，停泊处( wharf的名词复数 ) | |
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rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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commissioners
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| n.专员( commissioner的名词复数 )；长官；委员；政府部门的长官 | |
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descried
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| adj.被注意到的，被发现的，被看到的 | |
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oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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tack
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| n.大头钉；假缝，粗缝 | |
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bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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hull
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| n.船身；(果、实等的)外壳；vt.去(谷物等)壳 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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gliding
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| v. 滑翔 adj. 滑动的 | |
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moored
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| adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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impetus
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| n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力 | |
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44
naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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46
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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47
jig
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| n.快步舞（曲）；v.上下晃动；用夹具辅助加工；蹦蹦跳跳 | |
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48
ornamental
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| adj.装饰的；作装饰用的；n.装饰品；观赏植物 | |
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49
scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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50
Forsaken
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| adj. 被遗忘的, 被抛弃的 动词forsake的过去分词 | |
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51
hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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52
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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