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himself。 It was to be an affair of boats； he explained。 A boat's…crew
would be told off to cut the cables； and two boats'…crews to climb stealthily
on board and overpower the sleeping Frenchmen； and two more boats'
crews to haul the doomed vessel out of the bay。 This made rather a
demand on my limited resources as to crews； but I was prepared to stretch
a point in a case like this； and I speedily brought my numbers up to the
requisite efficiency。
The night was both moonless and star…lessI had arranged all that
when the boats pushed off from the side of our vessel； and made their way
toward the ship that； unfortunately for itself； had been singled out by Fate
to carry me home in triumph。 I was in excellent spirits； and； indeed； as I
stepped over the side； a lawless idea crossed my mind； of discovering
another Princess on board the frigatea French one this time； I had heard
that that sort was rather nice。 But I abandoned the notion at once；
recollecting that the heroes of all history had always been noted for their
unswerving constancy。
The French captain was snug in bed when I clambered in through his
cabin window and held a naked cutlass to his throat。 Naturally he was
surprised and considerably alarmed； till I discharged one of my set
speeches at him； pointing out that my men already had his crew under
hatchways； that his vessel was even then being towed out of harbour； and
that； on his accepting the situation with a good grace； his person and
private property would be treated with all the respect due to the
representative of a great nation for which I entertained feelings of the
profoundest admiration and regard and all that sort of thing。 It was a
beautiful speech。 The Frenchman at once presented me with his parole；
in the usual way； and； in a reply of some power and pathos； only begged
that I would retire a moment while he put on his trousers。 This I
gracefully consented to do； and the incident ended。
Two of my boats were sunk by the fire from the forts on the shore； and
several brave fellows were severely wounded in the hand…to…hand struggle
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with the French crew for the possession of the frigate。 But the bo'sun's
admirable strategy； and my own reckless gallantry in securing the French
captain at the outset； had the fortunate result of keeping down the death…
rate。 It was all for the sake of the Princess that I had arranged so
comparatively tame a victory。 For myself； I rather liked a fair amount of
blood…letting； red…hot shot； and flying splinters。 But when you have girls
about the place； they have got to be considered to a certain extent。
There was another supper…party that night； in my cabin； as soon as we
had got well out to sea； and the French captain； who was the guest of the
evening； was in the greatest possible form。 We became sworn friends；
and exchanged invitations to come and stay at each other's homes； and
really it was quite difficult to induce him to take his leave。 But at last he
and his crew were bundled into their boats； and after I had pressed some
pirate bullion upon themdelicately； of course； but in a pleasant manner
that admitted of no denialthe gallant fellows quite broke down； and we
parted； our bosoms heaving with a full sense of each other's magnanimity
and good…fellowship。
The next day； which was nearly all taken up with shifting our quarters
into the new frigate； so honourably and easily acquired； was a very
pleasant one； as everyone who has gone up in the world and moved into a
larger house will readily understand。 At last I had grim； black guns all
along each side； instead of a rotten brass carronade； at last I had a square…
rigged ship； with real yards； and a proper quarter…deck。 In fact； now that
I had soared as high as could be hoped in a single voyage； it seemed about
time to go home and cut a dash and show off a bit。 The worst of this
ocean…theatre was； it held no proper audience。 It was hard； of course； to
relinquish all the adventures that still lay untouched in these Southern seas。
Whaling； for instance； had not yet been entered upon； the joys of
exploration； and strange inland cities innocent of the white man； still
awaited me； and the book of wrecks and rescues was not yet even opened。
But I had achieved a frigate and a Princess； and that was not so bad for a
beginning； and more than enough to show off with before those dull
unadventurous folk who continued on their mill…horse round at home。
The voyage home was a record one； so far as mere speed was
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DREAM DAYS
concerned； and all adventures were scornfully left behind； as we rattled
along； for other adventurers who had still their laurels to win。 Hardly
later than the noon of next day we dropped anchor in Plymouth Sound；
and heard the intoxicating clamour of bells； the roar of artillery； and the
hoarse cheers of an excited populace surging down to the quays； that told
us we were being appreciated at something like our true merits。 The
Lord Mayor was waiting there to receive us； and with him several
Admirals of the Fleet； as we walked down the lane of pushing； enthusiastic
Devonians； the Princess and I； and our war…worn； weather…beaten； spoil…
laden crew。 Everybody was very nice about the French frigate； and the
pirate booty； and the scars still fresh on our young limbs； yet I think what I
liked best of all was； that they all pronounced the Princess to be a duck；
and a peerless； brown… haired darling； and a true mate for a hero； and of
the right Princess…breed。
The air was thick with invitations and with the smell of civic banquets
in a forward stage； but I sternly waved all festivities aside。 The coaches…
and…four I had ordered immediately on arriving were blocking the whole
of the High Street； the champing of bits and the pawing of gravel
summoned us to take our seats and be off； to where the real p