Down to the water’s edge with the rest he rushed, shouting and gesticulating with the best of them.  His uniform prevented his being even so much as looked at.  To all appearance he was a French soldier.  He did not hesitate to mingle in the crowd, or avoid conversation with any.  Very soon he found he was working with the rest in the hopeless endeavour to save the doomed vessels; and he was helpful in getting off some of the half-stifled sailors, dashing upon deck quite a number of times, and bringing back in his strong arms the helpless men who had been overpowered by the flames before they could make their escape.

It was work which Julian loved; for saving life was more to his taste than killing.  He toiled on, cheering up his comrades, till all that could be saved were placed upon shore; and when he stepped at last upon the quay after the last voyage to the burning ships, he found himself confronted by a fine soldierly man, whose dress and manner bespoke him a personage of some importance.

“Well done, my good fellow,” he said approvingly; “I shall not forget your gallantry tonight.  You doubtless belong to one of the vessels, since I have no knowledge of your face.  You had better come up to the citadel, where you shall receive refreshment and a place to rest in.  We want all the soldiers we can get for the defence of the town, since we are in evil case between foes on land and foes on the sea.”

Julian saluted, and spoke a few words of thanks, and the crowd bore him towards the citadel.

“Who was it that spoke to me?” he asked of his next neighbour; and the man replied with a laugh: 

“Why, Governor Drucour to be sure!  Are you blind with the smoke, my friend?  A very gallant governor and soldier he is, as you should know.  And as for Madame, his wife—­ah, well, you must see her to understand!”

Nor was Julian long in understanding something of what was meant by this unfinished sentence; for he and his companions had not been long seated at table, with a good meal before them, when the door opened, and a tall, elegant lady entered the room, leaning on the arm of the Governor, and instantly the whole company rose, whilst a shout went up: 

“Long live the Governor!  Long live Madame his wife!  Long live the King!”

The lady came in, and motioned to the company to be seated.  She walked up and down amongst them, speaking brave words of thanks and cheer; and halting beside Julian, she made him quite a little special speech, telling him how she had heard that he had been the foremost of all in seeking to save the lives of those who might otherwise have perished in the flames.

No questions were asked of him, for the excitement was still strong, and it was taken for granted that he had come off one of the burning ships.  The men were all talking together, with the volubility of their race, and Julian took just enough share in the conversation to avoid suspicion.