? I like this manliness of reply. Then
comes another question. Shall we fight her?"

To this interrogatory it was not so easy to give a decisive answer. Each
officer consulted the opinions of his comrades, in their eyes, until their
leader saw fit to make his application still more personal.

"Now, General, this is a question peculiarly fitted for your wisdom," he
resumed: "Shall we give battle to a pennant? or shall we spread our wings,
and fly?"

"My bullies are not drilled to the retreat. Give them any other work to
do, and I will answer for their steadiness."

"But shall we venture, without a reason?"

"The Spaniard often sends his bullion home under cover of a cruiser's
guns," observed one of the inferiors, who rarely found pleasure in any
risk that did not infer its correspondent benefit. "We may feel the
stranger; if he carries more than his guns, he will betray it by his
reluctance to speak, but if poor, we shall find him fierce as a half-fed
tiger."

"There is sense in your counsel, Brace, and it shall be regarded. Go then,
gentlemen, to your several duties. We'll pass the half hour that may be
needed, before his hull shall rise, in looking to our gear, and
overhauling the guns. As it is not decided to fight, let what is done be
done without display. My people must see no receding from a resolution
taken."

The groupe then separated, each man preparing to undertake the task that
more especially belonged to the situation that he filled in the ship.
Wilder was about to retire with the rest, but a significant sign drew him
to the side of his chief, who continued on the poop alone with his new
confederate.

"The monotony of our lives is now likely to be interrupted, Mr Wilder,"
commenced the former, first glancing his eye around, to make sure they
were alone. "I have seen enough of your spirit and steadiness, to be sure,
that, should accident disable me to conduct the fortunes of these people,
my authority will fall into firm and able hands."

"Should such a calamity befall us, I hope it may be found that your
expectations shall not be deceived."

"I have confidence, sir; and, where a brave man reposes his confidence, he
has a right to hope it will not be abused. I speak in reason."

"I acknowledge the justice of your words."

"I would, Wilder, that we had known each other earlier. But what matters
vain regrets! These fellows of yours are keen of sight to note those
cloths so soon!"

"'Tis just the