' And here
they both bowed again. 'But I must warn you, sir, that my service
here is due only to the Queen Emilia, whom you also should serve, and
whom I am sworn to seek and save. The Genoese have shut her, I
believe, in Nonza, in Cape Corso.'
"The General frowned a bit at this, but in a moment smiled at him in
an open way that was honest too, as any one could see. 'I have later
news of the Queen Emilia,' said he; 'which is that the Genoese have
removed her to the island of Giraglia, off Cape Corso. I fear, sir,
you will not reach her this side of Doomsday.'
"'I will reach her or die,' said Sir John, stoutly.
"The General took a glance at the Genoese gunboats. 'At present it
is hopeless,' said he; 'but I tell you, as man to man, that in two
months I hope to clear the sea of those gentry yonder. Meantime, if
you _will_ press on to Cape Corso, and, without listening to reason,
I'll beg you to accept a pass from me which will save trouble if you
fall in, as you will, with my militia. It's small enough thanks,'
said he, 'for the service you have done us this day.'
"Those were the General's words, sirs, as I heard them and got them
by heart.
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