Better run the ships aground!”

(Ended Damfreville his speech.)

“Not a minute more to wait!

Let the captains all and each

Shove ashore, then blow up, burn the vessels on the beach!

France must undergo her fate.”

“Give the word!” But no such word

Was ever spoke or heard;

For up stood, for out stepped, for in struck amid all these,

A captain? A lieutenant? A mate,—first, second, third?

No such man of mark, and meet

With his betters to compete,

But a simple Breton sailor, pressed by Tourville for the fleet,—

A poor coasting-pilot he, Hervé Riel, the Croisickese.

[Pg 39]

[Pg 40]

[Pg 40]

[Pg 41]

[Pg 41]

And “What mockery or malice have we here?” cries Hervé Riel.

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