…May God again have mercy upon us！''
* * * * * * *
‘‘Here；'' said Maxwell； ‘‘the journal with which I have opened the
narration ends somewhat abruptly。''
‘‘I am glad of it；'' said Lady Ratcliff。
‘‘But； Mr。 Maxwell；'' said young Frank； Sir Henry's grandchild； ‘‘shall
we not hear how the battle ended？''
I do not know； cousin； whether I have not formerly made you acquainted
with the abilities of Frank Ratcliff。 There is not a battle fought between
the troops of the Prince and of the Government； during the years 17456；
of which he is not able to give an account。 It is true； I have taken particular
pains to fix the events of this important period upon his memory by
frequent repetition。
‘‘No； my dear；'' said Maxwell； in answer to young Frank Ratcliff…‘‘No；
my dear； I cannot tell you the exact particulars of the engagement； but its
consequences appear from the following letter； despatched by Garbonete
Von Eulen； daughter of our journalist； to a relation in England； from whom
she implored assistance。 After some general account of the purpose of
the voyage； and of the engagement； her narrative proceeds thus：…
‘‘The noise of the cannon had hardly ceased； before the sounds of a
language to me but half known； and the confusion on board our vessel； informed
me that the captors had boarded us； and taken possession of our
vessel。 I went on deck； where the first spectacle that met my eyes was a
young man； mate of our vessel； who； though disfigured and covered with
blood； was loaded with irons； and whom they were forcing over the side of
the vessel into a boat。 The two principal persons among our enemies
appeared to be a man of a tall thin figure； with a high…crowned hat and
long neckband； and short…cropped head of hair； accompanied by a bluff
open…looking elderly man in a naval uniform。 ‘Yarely！ yarely！ pull
away； my hearts！' said the latter； and the boat bearing the unlucky young
man soon carried him on board the frigate。 Perhaps you will blame me
for mentioning this circumstance； but consider； my dear cousin； this man
saved my life； and his fate； even when my own and my father's were in the
balance； could not but affect me nearly。
‘‘ ‘In the name of him who is jealous； even to slaying；' said the first''…
* * * *
CETERA DESUNT。
GENERAL PREFACE； p。