especially the soldiers, and to feed and properly exercise them; but
the end had been successfully arrived at through the prudence and
ability of Seymour, who was well aided by Talbot and Wilton, and who
profited much by many valuable suggestions born of the long experience
of the old boatswain.

On this particular afternoon, about ten days before Christmas, the
young captain, now confident of carrying his prize into the harbor,
felt very much relieved and elated by his apparent command of the
situation. He knew what a godsend the ship's cargo, which he and
Talbot had ascertained to be even more valuable than had been
represented, would be to the American army. It might be said without
exaggeration, that the success of the great cause depended upon the
fortune of that one little ship under his command. Talbot had properly
classified and inventoried the cargo according to orders, and was
prepared to make immediate distribution of it upon their arrival in
port. Both of the young men were as happy as larks, and even the
thought of their captured friends did not disquiet them as it might
under less fortunate circumstances, for among the captives on the
Mellish was a Colonel Seaton of the Highlanders, whom they trusted to
be able to exchange for Colonel Wilton, and they did not doubt in that
case that Katharine would return with her father.

While indulging themselves in these rosy dreams, natural to young men
in the elation of spirit consequent upon the events of their short and
exciting cruise,--the capture and successful escape of the transport,
the apparent assurance of bringing her in, and the daring and brilliant
night-action which they had witnessed,--they had neither of them
ventured to touch upon the subject uppermost in each heart,--the love
each bore for Katharine,--and the subject still remained a sealed book
between them. The cruise was not yet over, however, and fate had in
store for them several more exciting occurrences to be faced. Seymour,
often accompanied by Talbot, and Wilton, always accompanied by Bentley,
kept watch and watch on the brief cruise of the transport. On the
afternoon of the third day, about three bells in the afternoon watch,
or half after one o'clock, Seymour, whose watch below it was, was
called from the cabin by old Bentley, who informed him that a
suspicious sail had been seen hull down to the northeast, and Wilton
had desired that his commanding officer be informed of it. Se