Not, of course, that with Leroy's refusal all hope of deliverance was to be abandoned.  By no means.  So long as the _Gadfly_ remained in sight there was always a chance; for if I knew anything of Lieutenant Peters, he was not the man to let us go without giving us an overhaul, and then my chance would certainly come.  It was the duty of the ships of the Slave Squadron to stop and examine the papers of _every_ ship encountered in those waters, and I was certain that Peters would not be likely to make an exception in our favour; while, if Leroy resisted, as, of course, he would--well, it would simply mean that _La Mouette_ would be captured.