Page:Ninety-three.djvu/50

 "But I too made them out," grumbled Gacquoil. "Good vessels," said the captain. "I have had some command of them myself." "For my part," said Gacquoil, "I have seen them close to. I don't mistake one for another. I have their description in my head."

The captain handed his spyglass to the pilot. "Pilot, can you make out the three-decker distinctly?" "Yes, commander, it is the 'Cöte d'Or.'" "They have re-named her," said the captain. "She used to be the 'Etats de Bourgogne.' A new ship. Hundred and twenty-eight guns."

He took a note-book and pencil out of his pocket, and wrote in the former the number one hundred and twenty-eight. He went on to say: "Pilot, what is the first sail to port?" "It is the 'Experimenté.'" "First-class frigate; fifty-two guns. She was fitted out at Brest two months ago." The captain put the number fifty-two down in his note-book.

"Pilot," he continued, "what is the second sail to port?" "The 'Dryade.'" "First-class frigate; forty eighteen-pounders. She has been in India. She has a fine naval record." And he wrote down forty under the number fifty-two; then, raising his head, he said,—

"Now to starboard." "Commander, these are all second-class frigates. There are five of them." "What is the first, starting from the three-decker?"

"The 'Résolue.'" "Thirty-two eighteen-pounders. And the second?" "The 'Richemont.'"

"Same strength. Next?" "The 'Athée.'" "Queer name to go to sea with. Next?" "The 'Calypso.'" "What next?" "The 'Preneuse.'"