no person who has so great a right to take his place; and
perhaps it will be as well, both for the captain's sake and his own; at
all events, I will go with you, and, in case of accident, do my best."

The matter was, therefore, considered as arranged, and I went into the
captain's room. He was delirious, and constantly crying out about his
honour and disgrace; indeed, there is no doubt but that his anxiety to
meet his antagonist was one very great cause of the fever having run so
high; but at times he changed the subject, and then he spoke of me and
my mother. "Where is my boy--my own boy, Percival?" said he--"my
pride--where is he? Arabella, you must not be angry with me--no,
Arabella; consider the consequence;" and then he would burst out in such
fond expressions towards me, that the tears ran down my cheeks as I
planted a kiss upon his forehead; for he was insensible, and I could do
so without offence.

Bob Cross, who had for some time been at his bedside, wiped the tears
from his eyes, and said, "Master Keene, how this man must have suffered
to have cloaked his feelings towards you in the way which he has done.
However, I am glad to hear all this, and, if necessary, I will tell him
of it--ay, if I get seven dozen for it the next minute."

I remained with Bob Cross at his bedside for the whole day, during which
he more than twenty times acknowledged me as his son. As the evening
closed in, I prepared in silence for the duty I had to perform. To the
surprise of Cross, who was ignorant of what I intended, I stripped off
my own clothes and put on those of the captain, and then put his wig
over my own hair. I then examined myself in the glass, and was
satisfied.

"Well," said Cross, looking at me, "you do look like the captain
himself, and might almost go on board and read the articles of war; but,
surely, Master Keene," added he, looking at the captain as he lay
senseless in bed, "this is no time for foolery of this sort."

"It is no foolery, Bob," replied I, taking his hand; "I am going to
represent the captain and fight a duel for him, or the service will be
disgraced."

"I didn't know that the captain had a duel to fight," replied Bob,
"although I heard that there had been words."

I then explained the whole to him. "You are right, Master Keene--right
in everything. May God bless you, and send you good luck. I wish I
might go with you."

"No, Bob, that must not be."

"Then, God bless you, and ma