The wind was fresh and favourable, and at six o’clock in the afternoon they entered the little port.  Some gendarmes came down to the wharf.

“We need have no fear of them,” William Dawkins said.  “Their lieutenant is paid handsomely for keeping his eyes shut, and asking no questions.”

“So you are back again,” the officer said.  “Why, it is not a week since you were here!”

“No, it is but six days since I sailed.”

“And you have four passengers?”

“That’s the number, sir.  The Irish gentlemen are desirous of entering the service of France.”

The officer nodded.

“Well, gentlemen, you will find plenty of your countrymen in Paris; and, as everyone knows, there are no better or braver soldiers in His Majesty’s service.”

The friends had already enquired, from William Dawkins, whether there was any passage money to pay, saying that they had forgotten to ask before starting.

“Not at all.  I am well paid by Government.  My boat is always retained at a price that suits me well, and I get so much extra for every voyage I make.  No, sir, thank you; I will take nothing for myself, but if you like to give half a guinea to the crew, to drink success to you, I will not say no.”

The party made no stay at Etaples, but at once ordered a chaise and post horses.  Then, changing at every post house, and suffering vastly less discomfort than they experienced in the journey to Rye—­the roads being better kept in France than they were on the English side of the channel—­they arrived in Paris at eleven o’clock next day.

Chapter 11:  On the Frontier.

On entering the barrack yard, they found that the regiment had marched, ten days before, for the frontier, and that Lord Galmoy’s regiment had taken their place.  They went at once to his quarters and told him that, having effected their escape, they had travelled with all speed to inform the king of the determination of the English Government to bring the Irish officers to execution, and to implore him to intervene in their favour.

“I will go with you to Versailles, at once,” Lord Galmoy said; “but, as you have no uniforms, and the king is very strict on matters of etiquette, three of my officers will lend you their suits and swords.  While they are being fetched, sit down and share my meal, for doubtless you have not waited to eat on the road.”

He then gave the necessary instructions, and half an hour later the three officers, now in uniform, started with him on horseback for Versailles.  The king had just returned from hunting, and it was an hour before Lord Galmoy could obtain an audience with him.  He had, on the road, told the others he felt sure that the king, who was well served by his agents in London, had already heard of the intention of the English Government, but as to whether he had sent off a remonstrance he was of course ignorant.