Part 40 (1/2)
”I have this packet of papers which should go at once to the corvette _Jean Bart_. One Francois-Guillaume Need is the Captain.”
”And I have been delaying you. Pray pardon me. Despatches, I suppose, for my cousin Gouverneur Morris.” Rene did not contradict him. ”We will see to it at once, at once. The _Jean Bart_ sails to-night, I hear. She has waited, we knew not why.”
”For these despatches, sir. Can I not be set aboard of her at once?”
”Surely,” said Gouverneur; ”come with me.”
As they walked toward the water Mr. Gouverneur said: ”You have, I think you told me, a despatch for the captain of the corvette. Let me urgently advise you not to board that vessel. My boat shall take you to the s.h.i.+p,--deliver your despatch,--but let nothing tempt you to set foot on her deck. We are not on very good terms with France; you are still a French citizen. Several of the corvette's officers have been in Philadelphia. If you are recognized as a French n.o.ble, you will never see America again. You know what fate awaits an emigre in Paris; not even your position in the Department of State would save you.”
De Courval returned: ”You are no doubt right, sir. I had already thought of the risk--”
”There need be none if you are prudent.”
”But I ought to receive a receipt for the papers I deliver.”
”That is hardly needed--unusual, I should say; Mr. Randolph will scarcely expect that.”
De Courval was not inclined to set the merchant right in regard to the character of the despatches, for it might then be necessary to tell the whole story. He made no direct reply, but said merely: ”I am most grateful--I shall have the honor to take your advice. Ah, here is the boat.”
”It is my own barge,” said Gouverneur. ”Be careful. Yonder is the corvette, a short pull. I shall wait for you here.”
In a few minutes De Courval was beside the gangway of the corvette. He called to a sailor on the deck that he wished to see an officer.
Presently a young lieutenant came down the steps. De Courval said in French, as he handed the officer the packet of papers:
”This is a despatch, Citizen, from Citizen Minister Fauchet, addressed to the care of your captain. Have the kindness to give it to him and ask for a receipt.”
The lieutenant went on deck and very soon returned.
”The receipt, please,” said De Courval.
”Captain Need desires me to say that, although it is unusual to give a receipt for such papers, he will do so if you will come to the cabin. He wishes to ask questions about the British cruisers, and may desire to send a letter to Citizen Minister Fauchet.”
”I cannot wait. I am in haste to return,” said De Courval.
”_Le diable_, Citizen! He will be furious. We sail at once--at once; you will not be delayed.”
Rene thought otherwise.
”Very well; I can but give your reply. It seems to me strange. You will hear of it some day, Citizen.”
As soon as the officer disappeared, Rene said to his boatman: ”Quick!
Get away--get me ash.o.r.e as soon as you can!”
Pursuit from a man-of-war boat was possible, if one lay ready on the farther side of the corvette. He had, however, only a ten minutes' row before he stood beside Mr. Gouverneur on the Battery slip.
”I am a little relieved,” said the older man. ”Did you get the acknowledgment of receipt you wanted?”
”No, sir. It was conditioned upon my going aboard to the captain's cabin.”
”Ah, well, I do not suppose that Mr. Randolph will care.”
”Probably not.” Rene had desired some evidence of his singular mission, but the immense importance of it as proof of his good faith was not at the time fully apprehended. The despatch had gone on its way, and he had done honorably his enemy's errand.
”And now,” said the merchant, ”let us go to my house and see Mrs.