"A bad beginning, Lieutenant Leigh," said the admiral, "but it was a clever ruse on the enemy's part. But you are wounded. Sit down."

"Only a scratch or two, sir," said Hilary piteously, for he felt very weak and quite overcome as he handed his papers.

Just then he became aware of the presence of a plainly-dressed gentleman, to whom the admiral, with great deference, handed the captured despatches. He opened them--Hilary's first.

"Yes," he said, "a clear case; all blank. Now for the others."

As he opened the packet he uttered a cry of joy.

"This is news indeed. My young officer, you have done more than you think for in capturing these. Captain Charteris, instantly--marines and sailors, you can take them all."

"Yes, young man," continued the stranger, "this is a proud day for you.

It is a death-blow to the Pretender's cause. You have done great things."

"In the King's name--hurrah!" cried Hilary feebly, as he waved his hat; then he reeled and fell heavily upon the floor.

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.

MEETING OLD FRIENDS.

Hilary Leigh's scratches were two severe wounds which kept him in bed for a couple of months, during which he learned that the despatches he had brought back after turning the tables on the Pretender's followers had, as the high official had said, given such information that by their means a death-blow was given to the plots to place Charles Edward upon the English throne; and when he was once more about, it was to join his little vessel, with his lieutenant's grade endorsed, and in a span new uniform, of which he was deservedly proud.

The cutter had been pretty well knocked about in the fight, but she was once more in good trim, and her crew, who had received a capital share of prize-money for their part in the capture of the schooner, received him with three cheers.

For years after, the _Kestrel_ swept the Channel pretty clear of smugglers and enemies, and continued so to do long after Hilary had joined Captain Charteris's ship, taking with him the princ.i.p.al members of his crew, Billy Waters rapidly becoming gunner of the great man-of-war, and Tom Tully remaining Tom Tully still, able seaman and owner of the biggest pigtail amongst five hundred men.

Five years had elapsed before Hilary again saw Sir Henry Norland, and this was one day in a French port, when the greeting was most cordial.

"No, Hilary, my boy," he said, as he led the lieutenant to a handsome house just outside the town. "I shall not come back to England to live.

Our cause failed, and I have given up politics now. The English government have left me alone, or forgotten me, and I won't come back and tell them who I am."

"And you don't feel any enmity against me, Sir Henry, for behaving to you as I did?"

"Enmity, my dear boy!" cried Sir Henry, laying his hands affectionately upon the young man's shoulders; "I was sorry that we were on opposite sides, but I was more proud of you than I can tell. Many's the time I said to myself, I would that you had been my son."

Just then Hilary started, for a graceful woman entered the room, to gaze at him wonderingly for a moment, and then, with a mutual cry of pleasure, they ran forward to catch each other's hands.

Sir Henry uttered a sigh of satisfaction, one that was not heard by the young people, who were too much wrapped up in each other's words, for this was a meeting neither had antic.i.p.ated, and they had much to say.

Who is it that needs to be told that Hilary saw Adela Norland as often as he could, and that being high in favour with the government, and soon after made captain of a dashing ship, he should ask for, and obtain permission, for Sir Henry Norland to return?

This permit giving him free pardon for the past Hilary himself took to the French port, where he behaved very badly, for he told Adela Norland that he would not give it up unless she made him a certain promise, and this, with many blushes, she did, just as Sir Henry came into the room.

"Ah!" he said laughing, "I expected all this. Well, Hilary, I have no son, and you want to take away my daughter."

"No, sir," said Hilary; "I only want to find you a son, and to take you, free from all political care, once more home."

And this he did, making his name a brighter one still in the annals of his country, for many were the gallant acts done by the brave sailor Captain Hilary Leigh, for his country's good, and in the King's name.