ise in which I ever
engaged," replied Scott, as he directed his attention to her. "I don't
see any change in her."

"Don't you see that gun sticking out through her bulwark?" asked Louis.

"I see it now, but I had not noticed it before," answered the captain.
"Then Mazagan was not lying when he said that his vessel had been armed
since he took command of her. I suppose I ought to be frightened at the
appearance of that twelve-pounder, poking its muzzle out the side of the
vessel; but somehow I am not a bit scared," said the captain, with a
broader smile on his face than usual.

"But twelve-pound shot are not agreeable missiles to have plumped
through the side of the Maud."

"Perhaps not; but the lively little craft is built of extra strength,
and she can stand a few of them. I am more concerned about the speed of
the Fatime than I am about her guns. Of course she has another gun on
her starboard side."

"Of course."

"If Mazagan had consulted me in regard to the placing of them, he could
not have arranged them to suit me any better. But her speed is of more
consequence than her guns."

"I judge from that, that you intend to run away from her," suggested
Louis.

"Louis," said Captain Scott, looking at his companion with a very
serious expression for him, "there is a recording angel hovering over
and around me all the time."

"I suppose every fellow has one near him, to make a note of all his
thoughts and actions, though we don't often take notice of his
presence."

"I believe all that, and that we shall be held responsible for all we do
and say, and even for what we think," replied Scott.

"A fellow has to keep a guard over his thoughts, for they are the
foundation of his actions."

"But you are taking a higher flight than I am, Louis, and we will
overhaul your idea some other time, when there are no twelve-pounders
near," interposed the captain, as he glanced at the enemy. "My recording
angel is not one of the sort you are thinking about; though,
metaphorically speaking, I believe in those to whom you allude. If my
winged spirit, so constantly near me at times like the present
especially, were to materialize, he would present the photograph of
Captain Royal Ringgold."

Louis could not help smiling as he imagined the angel described; and he
thought the dignified commander made a rather odd-looking ethereal
being.

"I am not making fun of the idea, Louis; the commander seems to be close
aboard of me w