Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 11, 2025
So steady did the wind keep all day that about five in the evening they brought the English coast in sight. It was the opinion of all the captains that they should run up for Harwich at once; but the Englishman had other views. "It is too early," he told M. de la Pailletine. "There are cruisers about, and if we are seen the game will be spoiled."
"Let me remind you, monsieur, that we are bound for Harwich." "But this is folly, Captain Salt! Harwich will remain where it is, and we can ravage it at any time. Never again may we have so fine an opportunity of capturing thirty-six merchantmen and a British frigate almost without a blow." "Excuse me, M. de la Pailletine, but I do not allow my orders to be criticised."
Captain Salt had been expecting the Commodore, and was waiting to pay him a dozen satirical compliments on the issue of the engagement. Triumph shone in his eyes. It went out like a candle-flame before a puff of wind. In a flash the hunchback was running on him with drawn sword. M. de la Pailletine, in a trice, interposing, knocked the blade up and out of his hand.
"Sir, you have beaten me. I fought your men for awhile, but I can't stand up against this." VII. The Galley. There was one man, however, who soon had reason to repent that the little man had been given his sword again. Dark had fallen when M. de la Pailletine conducted him courteously over the frigate's side and across the deck of L'Heureuse towards his own cabin.
M. de la Pailletine stamped and swore, upbraiding them for their cowardice. He was about to order them down again when a diversion occurred. A door slammed below, a wheezing cough was heard, and Captain Barker's head appeared at the top of the ladder. "Which of you is the French captain?" M. de la Pailletine lifted his hat. "H'mph!"
"Signal the convoy," he shouted, "to make all sail and run for the Thames!" II The Galleys. M. de la Pailletine was in some respects a weak man. He was impatient. Up to this moment his behaviour in an extremely galling position had been perfect. He had been content to bide his time and had furthered every order issued by his rival with the cheerfullest alacrity.
When the frigate failed to answer his salute, M. de la Pailletine jumped to a fresh conclusion. "Mordieu!" he cried, "here is another English captain who, like our friend Salt, is weary of carrying his Sovereign's colours. He doesn't mean to strike a blow. A minute and we shall see his flag hauled down." But the minute passed, and another, and yet a third, and the English flag still flew.
But this did the Frenchmen no good. Instantly the frigate opened fire again and murdered them by scores. It was in this extremity that M. de la Pailletine cast his eyes around and found himself forced to do what Captain Barker from the first had meant him to do. The four galleys that had started after the convoy were by this time sweeping along on the full tide of success.
In another five minutes the pathway to the Thames would be blocked and all the merchant vessels at their mercy. M. de la Pailletine hoisted the flag of distress. He called them to his help. A wild hurrah broke out from the crew of the frigate. The order meant their destruction: for how could the Merry Maid contend against six galleys?
"Why, yes," answered M. de la Pailletine, "except that you need have no doubt I shall treat you with the respect which is your due, or rather " "Pray proceed." " Or rather, with the respect which his Majesty thinks is your due." "And which you do not." "Excuse me, sir; I do not venture to set up my opinion against that of King Lewis."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking