Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-11-29
CHAPTER XXI.
THE BOAT IN THE PASS.

TT was evening. The Maidstone
was beating to and fro on the
mouth Of the harbor OF BresI
The wind was still blowing hard
on the shore and the French ships were
securely bottled up. They could not
beat out of the narrow channel. Al
least It would be a dangerous under
taking and the game would be scarcely
worth the candle. Therefore the Maid
stone, although her approach had been
noticed long since, had been permitted
to come as close as she dared un-
hindered.
From the foretop-mast cross-trees by
the aid OF good glass Grafton had dis
covered unmistakable signs OF prepar-
alton in the French fleet still wind
bound In the harbor. Many boats were
passing between the ships and the
shore, troops were being embarked,
and provisions and supplies taken on
board the huge line-of-battle ships and
the frigates. 1t was. quite evident that
a movement. of some sort was In con-
temptation; and 1t was. more than
probable that as soon as the wind
served, taking advantage OF the ao-
sence Of the, blockaders. the French
would put to sea-.
That. was. news. Of the highest I'M
portance. II they could learn the des-
tination of the feet there would be
nothing left to be desired except an
opportunity of meeting them; an op-
portunity Hawke would make II ne
were given the vestige Of a chance.
Hatfield" said Grafton, as he came
down from the cross-trees for the last
time, 1t being too dark to see farther,
'T have changed my. mind. I am going
ashore to see II car, not find out some
thing about the French feet"
"And you want me to go with your!
mo, that can not be. You must look
after the ship. I will take the dinghy
and one man. old Jabez Slocum. Now,
mark me-. My plan. is to land at a
little cove know OF under the lee OF
the Chateau de Josselin, about which
told you. shall effect an entrance
to the castle Immediately, and see II
there Ia, anything to be learned there.
If not, I will take Jabez and we will
sail boldly into the harbor and find
out what we. can"
"And you will see Mademoie'
Rohan?"
perhaps. l hope so. though that Is
not my main purpose. At least 1 would
90 even II knew she were not there.
Now, II I am not back by eight bells,
midnight, you will brace up and make
the best of your way to Torbay and tell
Sir Edward what we have learned"
"Yes, but you will hardly have time
to ge there and back by midnight, Capt.
Grafton, Don't you think 1t would be
better to make 1t, say, eight bells in
the midwatch., or four o'clock in the
morning., I'd hate nightly to run
away and leave you"
VERY well" answered Grafton, that
will give me more time, and perhaps
II would be better not to leave without
exhausting every possible opportunity
of getting information as to the des-
tination Of the French feet. for there
Is no doubt in my mind that they in
tend to move"
Nor in mine"
every we'll, then, we'll make 1t eight
bells in the midwatch."
"And il you are not back then. I'm
to make the best Of my way to Torbay,
or Plymouth, or wherever I can find
Sir Edward. deliver the dispatches,
and tell what we have SEEM"
That's 1t. Now, I need not tell you
to watch the ship carefully on this hard
lee-shore, and when you start for
Hawke, II l am not here, drive her for
all she has in her."
81 will do both, Capt. Grafton"
"Of course. And II the wind should
change and the French should send
out a liner or couple Of frigates
after you, you are on no account to
wait for me or anybody. The infor-
nation we have gained is Of far more
importance that half dozen captured
frigates. Remember that running, mol
lighting, Is your role. Don't hesitate
on my account. Don't be captured
and don't be wrecked"
Very good" answered Hatfield, 81
shall carry out your instructions tc
the letter. But I wish could go with
you"
81 wish so, too, but you can't. One
of US must stay by the ship. Remem'
Der that the fate Of England is resting
on your shoulders" continued the Older
man gravely, "for it's perfectly wei
known II the French get away from
Brest successfully, and are not beater
elsewhere, they have an army all ready
for a descent upon Ireland, or perhap:
England herself"
az shall remember 1t" answered Hat
field solemnly.
That's we'll. Now, heave to ant
have the dinghy dropped overheard
See that the mast is stepped and TIT
sail Is close reefed; put a compass
a ibeaker Of water, couple OF musket
and a bag Of bread in her; stow ava!
for ward a coil of signal halliards ant
a shout rope with grapnel bent OF
the }end of it-about 80 fathoms o
eaasI / think-and send old Jabez t
%1e in-my cabin"
y "Ay, ay, sir" replied Hatfield, call
ing the hands to the braces as Graftol
turned to the companionway and wen
below, whittier he was followed short
iy by the old sailor he had designated
with whom he spent few moment
IN busy preparation. Presently tn
ship was hove to and the dinghy drop
ped alongside. Grafton and Slocun
came on deck. Grafton wore his uni
form and both men were fully armed
with Sword, or cutlass, and pistols.
'You are surely not going In YOU
uniformf' queried Hatfield.
,.Yes why not? I've no mind t
hansAs a spy, and II l am captured Il
THO Uniform I'm a prisoner Of wa
on&. Remember my instructions"
IA shall not forget them"
R6ood-bye"
\ y"Good-bye, and God bless you.
Asll he in a fever of anxiety until yo