s that I saved her life and her father's life; but then I saved the
lives of many other people. To be sure I have got one step up the
ratlins, but it may be very long before I get another. No, no, I'll not
think about it."

The next day a special invitation to the governor's table, where he met
Colonel and Miss Verner, and where all the gentlemen from the governor
downwards drank wine with him, considerably altered his feelings. This
was the first of many attentions which he received from the military
officers and the principal inhabitants of Halifax. His time on shore
was indeed fully occupied in making morning calls and in attending the
parties to which he was invited. A portion of every morning he spent in
the society of Miss Verner. It was very delightful, and he felt sure
that he was welcome.

At length the "Vestal" was suddenly ordered to sea. Pearce had the
greatest difficulty in getting on shore to wish his friends good-bye.
Alice turned pale when he told her that the ship was to sail that
evening. "You will come back here surely, Mr Ripley," she said, in a
trembling voice; "you have been every thing to us since that awful day
when you saved our lives from the sinking ship; we shall miss you,
indeed we shall, very much."

Pearce could not frame a reply, at least, satisfactory to himself. He
scarcely knew what he said, as he hurried away. The words might have
made a vainer man than he was much happier than they did him.

The "Vestal" was bound for the West Indies. She cruised for some time,
making several rich prizes, which she sent into Port Royal, Jamaica, and
which filled the parses of her officers and men in a very satisfactory
manner. Still, no honour or promotion was to be obtained by the capture
of honest merchantmen. At length, however, there appeared a chance of
falling in with an antagonist worthy of her. One morning at dawn a
stranger was discovered on the lee beam. The "Vestal" was kept away,
and all sail made in chase. As the "Vestal" gained on the chase, she
was discovered to be a large ship, and pronounced to be flush-decked.

"Then we'll tackle her; never mind how many guns she carries," exclaimed
the captain--a sentiment to which his officers and men responded
heartily.

The chase was accordingly continued, and as the vessel came up with her
on the weather quarter, it was seen that she was a large flush-decked
ship, carrying twenty-two guns. The ensign of France flew out fr