He had hired this little schooner in which they now were at a ruinous rate, and had not been able to do even that until he had pledged himself to pay all damages in case of loss.  Governor Shirley had seized the opportunity to send dispatches several days earlier than he had intended.  Mr. Royal went with a picked crew, men both honest and skilful.  He knew the dangers of French vessels as well as Mrs. Eveleigh did, but his daughter’s persistent assertion:  “We shall be murderers,” had overborne every objection.

Elizabeth sitting on deck that morning, was thinking of these things, and tracing in this danger which she was trying to avert, one of the consequences of her frolic on the river that summer evening.  Then she remembered that but for that she would perhaps have been Edmonson’s wife, and she said to herself that the Lord had been very merciful to her, and that she would try not to shrink from her duty.

“How fast we are going,” said Nancy again.  It was true that the little vessel before a fair wind was flying over the water at a rate that, if kept up, and in the same direction, would soon bring its passengers to their destination.  Elizabeth was glad of speed, already it might be too late.  And besides, the sooner her errand was done, the sooner she should return with a mind at rest.  She began to reckon how long before she should be at home again.  In a week, in less time if they were fortunate, they should reach Louisburg.  She should not want more than five minutes’ talk with Mr. Archdale.  Then it would be home again immediately.  Her father had hired the schooner for the very reason that it should not be detailed for any other service, but should bring them back at once.  How strange it was, she thought, to spend fourteen days for only five minutes’ conversation, and that, too, with one who was no especial friend except through his engagement to Katie.  But for all the weariness she was thankful to do it, and grateful to her father.  She hoped that she should not catch even a glimpse of Edmonson, and it seemed improbable that she would.  After the siege was over he would probably go to England again.  How she wished he were there now, and she quietly at home, where in that case she might have been now.

The next day there was a head wind, and the day following no wind at all.  As time went on, it grew evident that it would be more than a week from their starting before they could drop anchor in Cabanus Bay.  Dread lest they should be too late began to harass Elizabeth.  But she showed no impatience.  Her silence was what Nancy noticed most.  But, then, Nancy liked talking, and did not enjoy the books which her Mistress had brought with her and read most persistently, or sometimes tried to read, unsuccessfully.  Even then they served as a protection against the maid’s talk when she was in too anxious a mood to endure it.

On the morning of the seventeenth they caught sight of the “Little Gibraltar,” but the wind was against them, and it was the afternoon of the next day before the Captain of the schooner could run into the Bay, and go ashore with his dispatches and Mistress Royal’s message to the General.