deck. He returned my bow, and
then said, "Sir, the fortune of war has proved in your favour, and I
perceive that the conditions of the issue of the combat have been
adhered to on your side. Against that I have not a word to say, as my
friend would have as rigidly adhered to them. But, Sir, we war not
with the dead, and I have come off at the request of his miserable
wife, to beg that you will, now that your revenge is satisfied,
deliver up to her her husband's body, that it may receive the rites of
the Church, and Christian burial. You surely, as a brave man, will not
deny this small favour to a woman whom you have twice deprived of her
husband?"

"Sir," I replied, "on condition that his lady will step on board and
make the request herself, I will comply with it, but on no other
terms."

"It will be most painful, and her feelings might well have been spared
such a trial as to meet your face again, and make the request in
person; but as you insist upon it, I will make known your terms."

As he went into his boat I ran down into the cabin, and desired them
to cast loose the French captain, saying to him, "Sir, your wife is
here requesting your body, which she believes to be swinging at the
yard-arm, for I have put that trick into execution to punish her. I
never intended to take your life, and I shall now do more, I shall
give you not only life, but liberty--such shall be my revenge."

The French captain stared as if confounded, but made no reply. I then
went on deck, where I found the lady had been lifted up the side. They
led her to me, and she fell on her knees, but the effort was too much
for her, and she fainted away. I ordered her to be taken down into the
cabin, and, without any explanation, desired the French officer to
accompany her, not wishing to be present at the unexpected meeting. I
therefore remained on deck, and ordering the men to lower down the
effigy, they did so, laughing at the French seamen in the boat, who
for the first time perceived, for they had not looked up before, that
it was only a sham captain. I looked over the side, and told them that
the captain was alive and well, and would be in the boat very soon, at
which they were greatly rejoiced. In the mean time the explanation
took place in the cabin, and after a few minutes the French officer
came up, and expressed his satisfaction at what I had done.

"You have given a lesson, Sir, without being guilty of barbarity. Your
conduct has been