engers were soon congregating on deck, many of them
buckling on their swords and examining the locks of their pistols by the
light of the binnacle lamp. Various opinions were offered. Some
thought that Captain Winslow ought to begin the battle by firing a
broadside into the stranger; but he declined the proposal, and suggested
that it would be better to ascertain first whether she was inimically
disposed.

"She can scarcely be a friend, or she would not frighten people so
horribly," observed some one, but the speaker was not discovered.

The remark produced a laugh, and the spirits of the more timid began to
rise.

"Perhaps the gentleman intends to wait till daylight to commence sport,"
observed the previous speaker.

Another hour passed by; Captain Winslow could not help feeling that his
ship was completely in the power of the stranger. She evidently sailed
two feet to his one; could shoot ahead and rake him, or could stand off
and cannonade him with her long guns, without his being able to return a
shot. A sturdy Briton as he was, he almost wished, for the sake of all
on board, especially of the females, that it had been determined to
yield at once.

"No, no, that would never do," he muttered soon after to himself; "we'll
fight, and defend them like men."

The stranger had been edging in nearer and nearer to the Indiaman. The
ladies had been assembled and sent to their apartment in the hold. They
were told it was only as a precautionary measure in case of an action.
They endeavoured to keep up each other's spirits, hoping for the best.
Miss Armytage sat by her mother, calm and resigned, endeavouring to
read, but her mind often left the page and wandered far away.

Some few tried to talk, but they found the effort vain. A few young
girls laughed and joked, and tried to persuade themselves that there was
nothing to dread, but they too soon became silent, and the whole party
sat patiently waiting for the event they dreaded, yet hoped might be
avoided. They had no means of ascertaining what was taking place; Edda
offered to go up and learn, but her mother entreated her to remain where
she was, reminding her of her father's commands. The time passed slowly
by; many thought that it must be soon day. All hoped that it would be,
for they fancied that with the light the stranger would be discovered to
be a friend. Not a sound from the deck above reached them. The silence
itself was painful. It was suddenly