"God be thanked, Peter," he said presently, "our ship is coming back to
us, convoyed by a frigate."
So great was my joy at hearing these words that at first I could hardly
credit the truth of them, but as the ships drew nearer we could all see
that the smaller of the two was the "Golden Seahorse". The vessels
sailed into the bay which formed the port of the settlement, and
dropped anchor close to the shore, when a boat put off from the
frigate, and was rowed toward the beach. The crew were smart, and the
boat was fresh painted, while, seated at the stern, was a striking, yet
curious, figure. His dress was that of a French exquisite, very rich,
and trimmed with much gold braid. On his head was a curled wig of the
latest mode, and a flashing diamond brooch adorned his lace cravat. On
nearing the beach upon which we were assembled one of the sailors
stepped into the water and waded ashore, carrying this gallant upon his
back, who, being deposited upon a dry spot, so that his buckled shoe
might escape damage from the salt water, gravely saluted us. Hartog
then, stepped forward, when the Frenchman, for such we took him to be,
addressed him as follows:--
"I have come, sir," said he, "to restore to you your vessel, which I
understand was stolen by Spanish treachery.
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