State, I demand that they consider not at all their parole. The

well-known speed and light draught of that vessel have rendered her

almost indispensable to me. When the vessel is free, they must rise upon

the enemy, and make for the nearest of our ports without delay. Upon

this I insist, and place confidence in your established courage and

management, to accomplish it to my satisfaction."

"Your orders are clear enough," said Caryl Carne. "What reason can you

give, as an officer of the Republic, for disobeying them?"

Desportes looked at his ship in the distance, and then at the sea and

the sky, with a groan, as if he were bidding farewell to them. Carne

felt sure that he had prevailed, and a smile shed light, but not a soft

light, on his hard pale countenance.

"Be in no rash haste," said the French sea-captain, and he could not

have found words more annoying to the cold proud man before him; "I do

not recognise in this mandate the voice of my country, of the honourable

France, which would never say, 'Let my sons break their word of honour!'

This man speaks, not as Chief of a grand State, not as leader of noble

gentlemen, but as Emperor of a society of serfs. France is no empire;

she is a grand nation of spirit, of valour, above all, of honour. The

English have treated me, as I would treat them, with kindness, with

largeness, with confidence. In the name of fair France, I will not do

this thing."

Carne was naturally pale, but now he grew white with rage, and his black

eyes flashed.

"France will be an empire within six months; and your honour will be put

<<BackPagesTo menuNext>>