The compact thus sealed was easily carried out.  The Abbe and his sister, Madame Drucour, were keenly interested in the attempt of the fire ships against the English fleet, and were to watch proceedings from the steeple of the Recollet Friars.  The daylight lasted long now, and supper was over before the shadows began to fall; and the excited lads were able to wait till the seniors had started forth before they made their own escape down to the harbour.

Corinne wrapped herself in a long black cloak, drawing the hood over her head, and thus disguising herself and her sex completely from any prying eyes; but indeed they scarcely met anyone as they hurried along through the narrow streets to the unfrequented wharf, where the boys had brought up the boat earlier in the day.  Quickly they were all aboard, and were gliding through the darkening water, whilst the crowd gathered at quite a different part of the harbour showed where the launch of the fire ships was going on.

Colin described them as well as he could.

“There are three or four big ones, and Monsieur Delouche is in command; and then there is a great fire raft, as they call it—­a lot of schooners, shallops, and such like, all chained together—­a formidable-looking thing, for I got one of the sailors to show it me.  I suppose they are all pretty much alike, crammed with explosives and combustibles; old swivels and guns loaded up to the muzzle, grenades, and all sorts of things like that, some of them invented for the occasion.  We must give these fellows a wide berth when once they are set alight; for they will burn mightily, and shower lead and fire upon everything within reach.  I only trust they may not do fearful damage to the English ships!”

“Not they!” cried Peter, with a fine contempt in his voice.  “The Frenchies are safe to make a muddle of it somewhere; and our bold jack tars won’t be scared by noise and flame.  You’ll soon see the sort of welcome they will give these fiery messengers.”

The night darkened.  There was no moon, and the faint wreaths of vapour lay lightly upon the wide waste of waters.  Corinne gazed about her with a sense of fascination.  She had never before been so far out upon the river; and how strange and ghostlike it appeared in the silence of the night!

Ten o’clock struck from the clocks in the town behind them, and Colin turned back to look towards the harbour.

“They were to start at ten,” he remarked.  “Let us lie to now and watch for them.  We must give them a wide berth, but not be too far distant to see what they do.”

Corinne gazed, breathless with excitement, along the darkening water.  The silence and increasing darkness seemed to weigh upon them like a tangible oppression.  They could hear their own excited breathing; and all started violently when Arthur’s voice suddenly broke the silence by exclaiming: 

“I see them!  I see them—­over yonder!”