de la
Pailletine took his place. From their benches below the slaves heard
his voice shouting out orders right and left, and at once they had to
catch up their oars and row. The English fleet when first spied was
coming right across their course, and still held on its way when it
perceived the Frenchman's intent. In pursuance of this intent the
four galleys made off with all speed to place themselves between the
merchantmen and the coast, while the Commodore and the Chevalier de
Sainte-Croix bore down on the frigate, straight as an arrow.
And now began a hard time for Tristram and his companions below.
They tugged and sweated, and presently _L'Heureuse_ began to leap
through the water. Above the swish of the long sweeps rose a tumult
of oaths, imprecations, outcries, sobs, as the overseers plied their
whips, not caring where they struck. Overhead they heard the guns
running out, the rolling of shot and trampling of feet, the shouts
and replies of officers and men. They could see nothing of the
frigate for which they were bound, but from the confusion and hurry
expected every moment to feel the shock as the galley's beak drove
into her.
Then for a second or two all the noise ceased.
The reason was this. For some little while the frigate held on
her course for the mouth of the Thames.
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