ly paying any attention to my words, but watching
the cabin-door and listening.

"Tell me how my brother is," she whispered. "Is he quite safe?"

"Oh yes, and on guard."

"He is so ill and weak, it frightens me," she said; "but he will not
listen to me and stay here."

"No," I replied, "how could he as an English gentleman at a time like
this!"

She gave me a quick, half-resentful look; but her face lit-up directly
and she smiled.

"I suppose you are right," she said with a sigh. "It is so hard to be a
woman, and not be able to help. I should not mind so much if I could be
busy."

"But there is nothing to do now, Miss Denning," I said,--"that is, for
you. There, I must go now."

"Tell me though--my brother ordered me to stay here in the cabin--tell
me--couldn't I be of some help? The captain and mate are both wounded,
are they not?"

"Yes, a little," I said encouragingly; "but Mr Frewen has seen to them.
Shall I ask him if you can come and attend on the captain?"

"Yes; do!" she cried. Then quickly--"No, no! I must go by what my
brother says."

"And I must go out in the saloon and help. When all is safe I shall see
you again."

"When all is safe," she whispered despondently.

"Yes, and it is going to be. Oh, it will be all right. May I take
this?"

I pointed to a chest, and she tried to say yes, but only gave a nod; and
shouldering the little box, I hurried with it to find that it was not
wanted, for Mr Frewen was just forcing one in between the top of the
pile and the ceiling, by standing upon a box which Mr Preddle was
holding steady.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

"Oh dear me--dear me, Alison Dale," said Mr Preddle, rising up from his
stooping position very slowly and wiping his broad fat face, which was
covered with drops of perspiration, "this is a very sad business, isn't
it?"

"Horrible!" I said, "but it will all come right." He laid his hand
upon my shoulder.

"Come into my cabin," he whispered; and I followed him.

"You think it will come right?" he said, looking at me in a terribly
perplexed way.

"Oh yes, I think so," I said; "Mr Denning and Mr Frewen will give the
rascals a good peppering and bring them to their senses."

"And so will I!" he cried excitedly. "I never tried to fight seriously
since I left school, but I don't see why I shouldn't be able to if I
tried,--do you?"

"Of course not sir," I replied, smiling. I wanted to laugh outright,
for he did not at all co