to terms."

"Your plan is good, but you look at the dark side of things," remarked
Colonel Armytage.

"I look at both sides, sir," was the answer. "The `Osterley' is a fast
ship, and we may run away from our pursuer; if we are overtaken, we may
beat her off, or after all she may prove to be no enemy at all. You
see, sir, I turn the state of the case right round; I like to settle
beforehand how, under all circumstances, I shall act."

"I see, Captain Winslow, you are a man of forethought--a useful quality
in your profession," said Colonel Armytage, though he did not make the
remark with the best possible grace. In truth, he was inclined to look
down on the sea captain as a person of a very inferior grade to himself,
though compelled under peculiar circumstances to associate with him.
With one of his formal bows he said that he must go below to make the
ladies understand the arrangements contemplated for them.

Edda heard of the expected combat with perfect calmness.

"How I pity the poor men who may be wounded in the battle!" she
remarked.

Her father sneered.

"May we go on deck and help them?" she asked suddenly. "I am sure that
we can be of use."

"Certainly not," he answered, sternly. "We shall have enough to do
without being interrupted by the interference of women."

"Oh, father! do not say that," said Edda. "We would be of all the use
in our power; we would tend the wounded; we would take food to those who
were weary; we would carry up powder and shot if required. I have read
of women doing such things. Why should not we?"

"Because there are men enough to fight, and it is considered that you
will be safer down below," said Colonel Armytage, casting a look of
involuntary admiration at his daughter. "Round shots are no respecters
of persons, and one might destroy you or your mother or the other women
as readily as the roughest man on board. In Heaven's name, child, keep
out of danger."

A part of the hold was quickly arranged for the accommodation of the
ladies during the expected action. Two lanterns were hung up in it
below the beams, but notwithstanding all that was done, it was a very
dreary, dark abode. Edda entreated that she and her mother might remain
on deck till they were within range of the enemy's guns. Most of the
other ladies followed her example, and the deck once more resumed its
usual orderly appearance, though there were signs of the expected strife
in the warlike costu