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Boisberthelot, pointing towards him with the forefinger of his left hand, remarked in an undertone to La Vieuville, "The Vendée has found a leader." From "Broken Stowage," BY DAVID W. BONE "Fatty" Reid burst into the half-deck with a whoop of exultation. "Come out, boys," he yelled. "Come out and see what luck! The James Flint comin' down the river, loaded and ready for sea! Who-oop!
A few moments later, a light flashed, a report sounded through the darkness, then all was still, and the sound of a body falling into the sea was heard. The old passenger, still leaning against the mainmast, had crossed his arms, and was buried in thought. Boisberthelot pointed to him with the forefinger of his left hand, and said to La Vieuville in a low voice: "La Vendée has a head."
"And his vices will injure his cause," said Boisberthelot. Then, after another pause, he continued, "Nevertheless, he was anxious to be reconciled. He came to see the king. I was at Versailles when some one spit on his back." "From the top of the grand staircase?" "Yes." "I am glad of it." "We called him Bourbon le Bourbeaux." "He is bald-headed; he has pimples; he is a regicide. Poh!"
Boisberthelot thought a moment, and then added: "At the latest, so Mr. Windham told Lord Hood." "Then, commander, I take it affairs are not going so very badly?" "All would go well, provided that the Breton war were well managed." De Vieuville shook his head. "Commander," he said, "are we to land the marines?" "Certainly, if the coast is friendly, but not otherwise.
At a signal from Count de Boisberthelot, two sailors went below and came back bringing the hammock-shroud; the chaplain, who since they sailed had been at prayer in the officers' quarters, accompanied the two sailors; a sergeant detached twelve marines from the line and arranged them in two files, six by six; the gunner, without uttering a word, placed himself between the two files.
"We will carry it to the grave," replied Boisberthelot. "And for my part, I would not reveal it were I face to face with death," remarked the old man. And he entered his stateroom. The commander and the first officer returned on deck, and began to pace up and down side by side, talking as they walked.
"But you are the general," answered Boisberthelot. The old man looked at the gunner. "Step forward," he said. The gunner advanced a step. Turning to Count Boisberthelot, the old man removed the cross of Saint Louis from the captain's breast, and fastened it on the jacket of the gunner. The sailors cheered, and the marines presented arms.
He had not noticed a proceeding which had taken place on the vessel. The Chevalier de la Vieuville had drawn up the marines in line on both sides of the mainmast, and at the sound of the boatswain's whistle the sailors formed in line, standing on the yards. The Count de Boisberthelot approached the passenger.
The gunner remained standing, with downcast eyes, in military attitude. The Count de Boisberthelot continued: "General, in consideration of what this man has done, do you not think there is something due him from his commander?" "I think so," said the old man. "Please give your orders," replied Boisberthelot. "It is for you to give them, you are the captain."
Boisberthelot said to La Vieuville: "Do you believe in God, chevalier?" La Vieuville replied: "Yes no. Sometimes." "During a tempest?" "Yes, and in moments like this." "God alone can save us from this," said Boisberthelot. Everybody was silent, letting the carronade continue its horrible din. Outside, the waves beating against the ship responded with their blows to the shocks of the cannon.
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