a handful to us and we have shown how
small our navy is and how great is its spirit. There have been
passages of arms on land, also, of which we do not love to talk. And
we have sent out our privateer vessels, armed ships that prey upon
England's commerce, yet do not belong to our navy. They have done
great things, have cut deep into England's overseas trade, and have
brought home many a valuable prize to fill the pockets of their
owners. Such a vessel is our _Huntress_, built at your Cousin Martin's
instigation and launched at the moment when our fortunes were at their
lowest ebb. Since we had not sufficient funds to equip her, nearly
every one in this town put money into her, from John Harwood the
minister down to Jack Marvin who digs our garden. It was a patriotic
venture and a risky one, but she has brought home great profits in
prize money and our own share has reestablished the firm of Hallowell.
Your Cousin Martin says that one more voyage will bring us not only
profit, but real wealth. But I say," he struck his hand suddenly upon
the table, "I say that there shall not be another."

"Why?" The question was startled from Cicely by his sudden vehemence,
yet it was not from him that she was to receive the answer. The door
opened to admit Martin Hallowell, who had come back, apparently, for a
last word.

"You say," he began at once, "that the _Huntress_ needs refitting and
cannot be made seaworthy in less than a month?"

His partner nodded.

"I say that she shall sail in a week," declared Martin.

"And I say no," cried Reuben Hallowell.

"You say, too, that the war is nearly over, that the Peace Commission
is sitting at Ghent, and that rumors are coming home that they are
near to an agreement. That is your excuse for wishing to keep our
privateers at home. You are a foolish and an overscrupulous man,
Reuben Hallowell, for I say that such a reason makes all the more
haste for her to be gone. We should reap what profit we can while
there is yet time." He leaned forward, his dark, eager face close to
theirs, all caution forgotten in the intensity of his purpose. "Once
at sea the _Huntress_ is beyond reach of tidings or orders. If she
should take her last and richest prizes a little after peace has been
declared, who will ever know it?"

He was silent and stood staring at them with unwavering, defiant eyes.
Cicely could hear her sharply drawn breath as she waited for her
father to answer.

"We are partners no