And you must be sure to take the boat in which they are to the lugger we have prepared." "I will try," Adolphe said, "though I would rather cut off my hand than pull an oar to take these poor creatures out to be murdered.
But I will do it, monsieur.

But except for that I warrant me they will not get a sailor in Nantes to put his hand to an oar to aid their accursed work." It was four o'clock when they arrived at Nantes.

Adolphe went straight to the prison, while Harry walked along the quay.

When he came abreast the centre of the town a number of sailors and fishermen were standing talking in low tones, and looking with horror at four luggers moored in a line in the centre of the river.
A number of men drawn from the scum of the town were painting them white, while a strong body of troops were drawn up on the quay in readiness to put a summary stop to any demonstration of hostility on the part of the sailors.

These did not indeed venture to express openly their detestation of the proceedings, but the muttered execrations and curses that rose from the little group showed how deep were their feelings.
Harry joined a little knot of three or four men who had been, with Adolphe, in the habit of greeting him when he landed.
"All is lost, you see!" one of them said in a tone of deep commiseration.