z62 WOLF-HUNTING. 



Villeneuve, before the great battle of Trafalgar. The Baron's visits 

 to the little island had not been unobserved from the frigate ; 

 indeed, they had already been made the subject of comment on 

 the quarter-deck, and excited some curiosity. 



" One day, however, the wind blowing gently off shore, and the 

 sea being unusually quiescent, the signal-man again reported the 

 boat afloat, a man and dog on board, and bound for the island. 

 Instantly the order to ' man the galley ' was given by the captain, 

 and, by the time the Baron had landed, a crew of six men and a 

 coxswain were pulling the ship's boat stealthily and speedily over 

 the smooth water, and were soon in a position to intercept the 

 Baron on his intended return to the mainland. Finding his retreat 

 cut off, he very quietly resigned himself to his captors, by whom 

 he and his dog and boat were forthwith conveyed to the frigate. 

 But of what use were they, now they were captured, either to his 

 ship or his country ? an incumbrance, if detained, and clearly of 

 no profit to either, thought the captain to himself. 



" ' You say you are a farmer, Baron and if so, you probably 

 feed some fat stock. Now what have you in that hive ? ' said the 

 Captain, interrogating him closely. 



" ' Sold all my bullocks at Brest last week to the Government 

 navy purveyor, and I've nothing but a few fat pigs left.' 



" Then did visions of pork cutlets, spare-ribs, and fresh sau- 

 sages, incline the gallant officer's judgment to the side of mercy ; 

 for salt junk, and nothing but salt junk, had passed the enclosure 

 of his jaws for many a long week, and his mouth fairly watered at 

 the prospect of some fresh meat. 



" ' Send us,' said the Captain, a bright thought striking him, 

 1 half-a-dozen of those pigs, the biggest and fattest you have, and 

 I will at once give you your freedom, Baron.' 



" ' I can't send so many my whole stock consists of four fat 

 pigs only ; but, if you will accept them as my ransom, they shall 

 "be sent without delay to your ship.' 



