o be considered," went on Francis eagerly. "I have
escaped from the Tower. My father, as ye know, is an exile. What lies
before me but imprisonment, or that worse than death, exilement from my
native land. 'Twere better to send me whatever may be the hazard than
others who can illy be spared."

"Listen, boy, and thou shalt hear what the enterprise is. I trow that it
will quell even thy brave spirit, burning though it be with valor. This
night some of our ships covered over with rosin and pitch and filled with
sulphur, gunpowder and other combustibles, are to be sent into the midst
of the Spanish, fired and set adrift amongst them. 'Tis fraught with
great danger and peril to the lives of those who adventure it."

"Still let me be one of them," pleaded the girl earnestly.

"There is much in the lad's favor," said Drake meditatively. "He speaks
truth when he declares that it would be best to send one who lies under
the queen's disfavor than another."

"Yes; and if successfully performed it may bring him pardon. Elizabeth
cannot but look with favor upon those who help to carry out a project
devised by herself. Drake, I give my consent for the lad to go."

"Perchance Edward Devereaux----" began Francis and then paused. What
right had she to bring another into peril that might result in loss of
life? But Lord Howard laughingly said:

"Another youth, Sir Francis, who burns to distinguish himself."

"Then let him have his chance," was the vice-admiral's reply. "You and I
would have jumped at such opportunity, my lord."

"Go you then, Stafford, to Master Devereaux and tell him privately of the
enterprise. 'Twill be naught against him if he chooses not to accompany
the expedition. If he should so select, come to me, both of you."

Francis eagerly sought young Devereaux. It so chanced that he stood for
the moment apart from his fellows. Joining him she said in a low tone:

"Edward, do you wish to adventure a most perilous undertaking?"

"Marry! Francis Stafford! how canst thou ask such question? Thou knowest
that I burn to do something. It chafes me to be so inactive while in such
near distance lies the Spaniard."

"Then hearken! This night ships besmeared with pitch and rosin and filled
with combustibles are to be sent into the midst of yon fleet. Two men are
already chosen to guide them thither, and thou and I can accompany them
also. But the admiral bids me say that it may be dangerous."

"Huzzah!" pealed forth fro