king gentleman
the go-by," observed the captain to Colonel Armytage. "Perhaps it might
be better to inform the ladies of this, to tranquillise any alarm they
may still feel."

"Have no anxiety on that score. I do not allow my wife and daughter to
indulge in idle apprehensions," answered the colonel in the supercilious
tone in which he frequently spoke.

"This man may be a very important personage, but he is a very
disagreeable one," thought Captain Winslow, as he turned away.

The worthy captain was well-nigh wearied out, so, summoning his first
officer to take charge of the deck, he returned to his cabin to
endeavour to snatch a short rest, leaving directions to be summoned
should any change occur in the present state of things.

The first officer had been one of the most anxious to fight. He
believed that they might not only beat off the enemy, but take her also,
and he now kept a bright look-out, hoping that she might again appear.
He was a young man, and thought more of the honour and glory to be
gained than of the risk to be run. Over and over again his night-glass
swept round in the direction of the eastern horizon. The range of his
vision was limited. After taking a long gaze he suddenly exclaimed,
"There she is though!" He called an old quartermaster and bade him take
the glass.

"Yes, sir, she's the ship, there's no doubt about it. She has been
keeping way easily with us," observed the seaman. "I'd sooner that
craft, Mr Lloyd, were a hundred miles away, or a thousand, for that
matter, than where she is: we none of us likes her looks, and she'll
prove a rummish customer if she gets alongside of us."

"Oh, never fear, Davis; you'll all fight like Britons, and beat her off;
or take her, maybe. But call the captain, and let him know our friend
is in sight, away on the larboard beam."

Captain Winslow was on deck in an instant. He had been dreaming of the
stranger. There she moved like a dark phantom, silently stalking over
the waters.

There was something peculiarly ominous in her appearance. The very
silence with which she glided on through the darkness was threatening.
She soon came up within range, but not a shot was fired. There she
remained gliding on, with her courses brailed up, keeping pace with the
Indiaman. It was very evident that she might have come down upon her
long before had she chosen.

The approach of the stranger quickly became known in the cabin, and the
gentlemen pass