tainly not to hurt him, even had he attempted to
carry out his kind intentions towards me. She looked about her,
enjoying the sight of the blue sparkling sea and the fresh breeze.

"It is very beautiful," said she at length.

"Very!" said I, but if she had asked me to say what I thought so
beautiful it would have made her blush. She did not remark a bank of
black clouds away to the eastward. I did, and was sorry to see them,
for I thought how much discomfort a gale would cause her. The lank
skipper saw them also, and probably hoped for an opportunity to carry
his pleasant little plot into execution. I determined at once to spoil
it. I had somewhat prepared Miss Carlyon, by telling her that I knew of
the existence of a plan to take the vessel from me, but made very light
of it that I might not frighten her. Calling Captain Cobb aft, while
Mrs Tarleton was on deck, I looked him full in the face, and recounted
the whole particulars of the plan he had concocted.

"And do you know, madam, our worthy friend not only expects you to
approve of his project, but to help him carry it into execution, whether
by the aid of the bowl or dagger I do not know; perhaps he expects you
to help in smothering us with pillows while we are fast asleep."

Never was a man more completely taken aback than was Mr Saul Cobb on
that occasion, nor was his confusion lessened by the address of the
lady.

"You wretched, miserable being! do you fancy that because I am a patriot
I would consort with murderers, whose sole idea is how they may make
money without a thought how they may best serve their country?"

Her attitude, expression, and manner, more than her words, expressed the
vehemence of her feelings; and the skipper, without attempting to excuse
himself, turned round and, bolting forward, dived down below to hide his
head in darkness. I told Rockets to keep an eye on him, for I thought
he might do some mischief.

"You, sir, will, I am sure, acquit me of approving even in the remotest
way of such a scheme," said the lady.

I assured her that I did, and I felt that I had, from the way I had
taken the matter, gained a yet further step in her good graces. I then
sent Rockets to tell the skipper that, should he attempt to make any
such demonstration as he had proposed, I should forthwith be compelled
to blow out his brains; but that, if he behaved well, I would pass the
matter over. I felt very sure that he would give me no further tr