according to his directions, an orderly roused him.

Archdale had already gone with his reconnoitering party. His heart was
bitter against the conditions of his life, and he felt that it would be
no misfortune, perhaps quite the contrary, if Edmonson's plan were not
interfered with. "It's beyond her comprehension," he said to himself.
"How confident she was. What will she say when she knows?"

In the morning, Elizabeth standing beside her father turned a tired face
toward the shore as she watched General Pepperell's approach. Sleep had
been impossible to her in the strangeness and terror of her surroundings.

"You are very thoughtful to come to bid us good-bye," she said, giving
him her hand as he stepped on board.

He smiled, and still holding it, asked after a moment's hesitation,
"Should you be very much disappointed if I begged you not to return this
morning?"

She certainly looked so for a moment, before she answered: "If it will
help, if I can be of any use, I am ready to stay. Are there soldiers in
the hospitals? Can we do anything for them, Nancy and I?"

He caught at the diversion readily. "The hospitals? Yes, I should be
very glad, infinitely obliged to you, if you would pay them a visit.
I've not a doubt that your suggestions would make the poor fellows more
comfortable, and there are a number of new ones there this morning.
I'm sorry to say our health record is discouraging. Not that I'm
discouraged, but I want to put this business through as quickly as
possible." Then he turned to Mr. Royal. "I must tell you both," he said,
"that I came to you this morning bent upon purposes of destruction,
(though, happily, not to yourselves,) and not purposes of health, except
of saving lives by making the work as short as possible. I should like
this schooner. I have an immediate use for it, and in two days, or, at
the outside, three, I'm going to send to Boston. Will you permit me to
take this as a fire-ship, and will you remain under my especial care
until this other vessel sails?" He turned to Elizabeth as he spoke. "If
you consent," he said to her, "I am quite sure your father will. It will
be a great favor to me, and I hope to the cause, if you do. But I won't
insist upon it. If you say so you shall go this morning."

Elizabeth glanced at her father, "But I don't say so," she answered.
"I am compelled to stay if my father consents. It's not you that make
me but a stronger power. You won't be offended if I cal