loes, that he dared not return to the vessel without me; the Captain's order was most peremptory, not to think of coming back to the vessel unless he had me with him, dead or alive. He promised again, in the most faithful manner, that I should not be retained as a prisoner: he said that as soon as the Captain had seen me, I should be set at liberty.
Remonstrances were of no avail; I was obliged to go with them, and by the time I reached the vessel, my wounds and fractured bones had become so painful, that I lost all power of helping myself, and was obliged to be hoisted up like a log.
When the crew first saw me on the deck, they shouted with one accord, "Vive le Roi," and repeated it three times in grand chorus.
This roused me from my pain and depression: and when their shouting ceased, I raised my voice to its highest pitch, and said, "Gentlemen, how long is it since victories have been so rare in France that you are glad to avail yourselves of such an occasion as this, to sing in triumph? I am ashamed, positively ashamed of my native country, to hear rejoicings over such a victory. A glorious achievement truly! Eighty men, accustomed to warfare, have actually been so successful as to compel one poor minister, four cowherds, and five children, to surrender upon terms! Furthermore, gentlemen, I would have you to know that though I do appear before you as a prisoner, it is in direct violation of the treaty made with your commanding officer, and sworn to by him previous to our surrender. He cannot deny that he has broken his faith, and committed a flagrant offence against the established law of nations,"
I was then carried to the Captain's cabin, and I renewed
