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And these poor emigrants to have his lawless crew come among them, it will be terrible; better rather that they had all gone to the bottom in their ill-fated ship with their drunken captain." Notwithstanding O'Carroll's opinion, I doubted whether the stranger was the Mignonne, for she was still too far off, I thought, for him to be certain on the subject.
My name will tell you where I hail from, and you may look at me as a specimen of one of the most unfortunate men in the world," he answered. If O'Carroll's account of the size of our antagonist was correct, we had good reason to be thankful that we had escaped so easily. Our chief anxiety was now about finding the fleet.
Captain Hassall at last, seeing what must inevitably occur, called the officers round him, and proposed surrendering. "The villains will cut all our throats if we do, that's all," observed O'Carroll. "I would rather hold out to the last and sell our lives dearly." Most of us were of O'Carroll's opinion. "Very well, gentlemen, so let it be," said the captain.
A shout of joy and thankfulness burst from the lookers-on as Kelson leaped on the rock, followed by the two midshipmen, who instantly hauled the boat up out of harm's way. A hawser had been prepared, which they at once hauled on shore and secured. A cradle was next fitted to it by the seamen, under O'Carroll's directions. It was a question who was to go forth to prove it.
He showed much interest in O'Carroll's account of his misfortunes, and finally arranged that he should take the command of one of the vessels in the harbour to convey the emigrants to New South Wales.
At length there was no doubt that she was standing for the island, and the exhibitions of joy and satisfaction became general among the unfortunate emigrants. They would now be able to leave the island and reach their land of promise; every countenance beamed brightly except O'Carroll's. After some time I saw his fall. It gained a more and more anxious look.
It seems to be the case with us at present, or we should not have interrupted Miss O'Carroll's music with this exceedingly dry conversation. I should be most happy if Miss O'Carroll would remind us that there are yet both music and sunshine In the voice and the smile of beauty. All were silent, and Marionetta sung: Why are thy looks so blank, grey friar? Why are thy looks so blue?
La Roche has plenty of friends here, depend on that, and he will find means to pick us off if he thinks that we are likely to inconvenience him." Following O'Carroll's suggestions I immediately returned on board. Captain Hassall at first scarcely credited the account we gave him indeed, he did not, I saw, put thorough confidence in O'Carroll.
Now steamers have cut him out, and he is fain to hide his diminished head. O'Carroll's alarm increased as he saw the privateer approaching. "We shall all have our throats cut to a certainty," he cried out. "They will not leave one of us alive to go home to our disconsolate widows to tell them all that has happened. I know them too well, the villains!
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