Then a faint shout came across the water, followed by a musket shot, the ball splashing in the water a little way astern.  The men looked at each other and at their captain.

“Look here, lads, I will tell you the truth about this matter; and I know that, as men of La Vendee, you will agree with me.  This gentleman who crossed with us before is a noble, and the king wants this lady, his daughter, to marry a man she does not like.  The father agrees with her; and he and her fiance, this gentleman here, have run away with her, to prevent her being locked up.  Now we are bound, as true Vendeans, to assist them; and besides, they are going to pay handsomely.  Each of you will get ten louis if we land them safe in England.

“But you know we cannot resist the law; so we must let these gentlemen, with their swords and pistols, drive us below, do you see?  And then we shan’t be responsible if the ‘Jeanne’ does not heave to when ordered.

“Now let us make a bit of a scuffle; and will you fire a shot or two, gentlemen?  They will be watching us with glasses from the shore, and will see that we make a fight for it.”

The sailors entered into the spirit of the thing, and a mock fight took place.  The marquis and Rupert flashed their swords and fired their pistols, the crew being driven below, and the hatch put on above them.

The fugitives had time to look around.  Two boats laden with soldiers had put out, and were rowing after them.  The marquis took the helm.

“The wind is freshening, and I think it will be a gale before morning, Rupert; but they are gaining upon us.  I fear they will overtake us.”

“I don’t think they will get on board if they do, sir,” Rupert said.  “Had not Adele better sit down on deck under shelter of the bulwarks?  For they keep on firing, and a chance shot might hit her.”

“It is no more likely to hit me than papa or you, Rupert.”

“No more likely, my dear,” her father said; “but we must run the risk, and you need not.  Besides, if we are anxious about you, we shall not be so well able to attend to what we have to do.”

Adele sat down by the bulwark, but presently said: 

“If they come up close, papa, I might take the helm, if you show me which way to hold it.  I could do it sitting down on deck, and you could help Rupert keep them off.”

“Your proposal is a very good one, Adele, and it pleases me much to see you so cool and steady.”

The bullets were now whistling past the lugger, sometimes striking her sails, sometimes with a sharp tap hitting her hull or mast.

“We may as well sit down out of sight till the time comes for fighting, Rupert,” the marquis said.  “Our standing up does no good, and only frightens this little girl.”

The firing ceased when they sat down, as it was clearly a waste of powder and ball continuing.  Rupert from time to time looked over the stern.