the chance, since he did not fire
at you, and he would drop you spite of fate."

"Curse his luck; I am sure I had him full in the breast--such a miss,
and I, who am so sure at a dozen paces;" and the English officer
continued to chafe and growl until he had got into his boat, and was out
of hearing from the shore.

Captain Ratlin and Don Leonardo quietly pulled back towards the
barracoons, and as they neared the shore they saw the form of a female,
which both at once recognized to be that of Miss Huntington, who stood
there pale as death, and who gazed intently at the young commander as he
drew nearer and nearer, and as he jumped upon the shore, said, hastily:

"You have been on a fearful errand. Have either of you been hurt?"

"Nay, lady, it was but a bit of morning sport," said Captain Ratlin,
pleasantly.

"Answer me, was he injured, for I see you are not?"

"There has been no harm done to flesh and blood, lady."

"Heaven be praised!" said the half-fainting girl, as she leaned upon the
young commander's proffered arm, and they together approached the house
of Don Leonardo.

There had been another witness of the affair, one who was secreted on
the very spot where the meeting took place, one who had overheard the
arrangements for the same, and one who had secretly repaired thither
with hopes to have seen the blood of one, if not both, flow, even unto
death. And this was Maud, poor deluded, revengeful girl, who had
permitted one passion to fill her every thought, and who now lived and
dreamed only for revenge upon one who was as innocent of any intended
slight or wrong to her as he was to the being he really loved.

Maud, with the fleetness of an antelope, had ran by the land-path from
the spot of the contest, and reached home nearly as quick as the boat
containing her father and Captain Ratlin had done, and now, as she saw
her hated white rival leaning upon his arm, so pale, so confiding, and
he addressing her with such tender assurance, a fresh wound to her
already rankled and goaded feelings was imparted, and once more she
swore a fearful and quick revenge.

Captain Bramble, too much chagrined to make his appearance, at least for
a few days, did not soon land from his vessel, but mused alone in the
solitude of his cabin upon the obduracy of Miss Huntington's heart, and
the good luck which had saved his rival's life.

CHAPTER XI.

THE HUES OF LOVE.

CAPTAIN BRAMBLE did not long remain contented