"You are offering to take us into the French service ?" he asked.

"On what terms, monsieur ?" "With the rank of Capitaine de Vaisseau for yourself, and suitable ranks for the officers serving under you.

You will enjoy the pay of that rank, and you will be entitled, together with your men, to one-tenth share in all prizes taken." "My men will hardly account it generous.

They will tell you that they can sail out of here to-morrow, disembowel a Spanish settlement, and keep the whole of the plunder." "Ah, yes, but with the risks attaching to acts of piracy.

With us your position will be regular and official, and considering the powerful fleet by which M.de Rivarol is backed, the enterprises to be undertaken will be on a much vaster scale than anything you could attempt on your own account.