Part 10 (2/2)

”Well, he isn't,” replied Cabot, ”and we oods as best we can until he comes In the e alone, the saain I'reed Cabot ”Perhaps it will be just as well, since the factory is closed sure enough this tih, and perhaps in soain”

”If we could have just one day ht,” said White, ”but there they co”

Sure enough Instead of flying the British Union Jack the launch that now appeared in the harbour displayed the tri-colour of the French Republic Thus, when Cabot and White reached the wharf, they were just in tireet their acquaintance of St Pierre, the lieutenant of the French frigate ”Isla,” whom White had so neatly outwitted in that port As he stepped ashore he was accompanied by a sharp-featured, black-browed individual, whonised as M Delom, proprietor of a French lobster factory located on another shore of the bay

”That chap has cos,” he remarked in a low tone

”Shouldn't wonder,” returned Cabot, ”for he looks like a thief”

”Ah, ha, Monsieur Baldwin! I haf catch you zis tiif me what you call ze sleep,” cried the French lieutenant ”Also I am come to siz your property, for you may no more can ze lob of ze Francaise Behol'! I have ze aut'orization”

So saying, the officer drew forth and unfolded with a flourish a paper that he read aloud It was an order for the confiscation and removal of all property owned by a person, or persons, na lobsters on the French territory of Newfoundland, and it was signed: ”Charate”

”So, Monsieur Baldwin,” continued the officer, when he had finished the reading, ”you will gif to me ze key of your factory zat I may from it remof ze materiel I sall also take your schooner for to convey it to ze factory of M Delom Is it plain, ma intention?”

”Your intention is only too plain,” responded White ”You are co er belongs to the Baldwin fa to it?”

”This gentlee your business with hi Cabot contemptuously from head to foot ”But I do not care Ze material mus all ze same be remof”

”I am an American citizen,” interrupted Cabot, ”and I forbid you to touch h the Aovernate now in this bay for protection”

”For ze A a theatrical attitude ”For l'Anglais, pouf! I also care not When it is arcons”

A dozen French bluejackets, arathered behind their leader, and now these sprang forith a shout, clearing a way through the collected throng of villagers

Advancing upon the main entrance to the factory, they quickly battered down its door and rushed inside With theloated over the spoil that now seerasp, and which would make his own factory the best equipped on the coast, he was especially pleased to note the pack all boxed ready for shi+pment, and our lads saw him direct the officer's attention to it As a result the latter gave an order, and in another minute a file of French bluejackets, each with a case of canned lobster on his shoulder, wastowards the door

Just as they reached it there came a shout and a tramp of heavy feet from the outside Then a stern voice cried:

”Halt! What are you doing here, you French beggars? Drop those boxes and clear out”

As the Frenchmen halted irresolute, their officer, who could not see as going on, but i the entrance, shouted for them to march on and clear away the canaille who dared oppose them

The French bluejackets attempted to obey, but, with their first forward movement, they were met by an inrush of sturdy British sailors, who sent the to the floor in every direction

Soained their feet drew their cutlasses, while others fell upon the new-co out, and a British sailor pitched heavily forward At the sa back theirthe

[Illustration: Others fell on the new-comers with their fists]

So sharp had been the brief encounter between these hereditary enemies, that as they sullenly withdrew their clutch from each other's throats a British sailor re to staunch the blood that spurted fro, while near at hand lay a French bluejacket, as white and h dead Another Frenchman had a broken arm, while several others on both sides looked askance at their enemies from blackened eyes and swollen faces

”Sir!” cried the French lieutenant, the moment order was so far restored that he could make himself heard, ”I am bidden by ate 'Isla,' to re, and in his nae interference”