not yet taken Captain Barker; and excuse
me if, knowing Captain Barker better than you can possibly do, I warn
you that that part of the ship which he sees fit to occupy at this
moment will probably be dangerous for some time to come."

As if to corroborate his words, at this moment the hush which had
fallen upon the frigate's deck was broken by the report of a firearm,
and two French grenadiers rushed upon deck from below and came
forward hurriedly, one with a hand clapped to a wound in his
shoulder.

"That," said Captain Runacles, "is probably Captain Barker. There is
a shutter to his cabin door."

"But this is trivial," exclaimed the French Commodore, frowning.

"If Monsieur will excuse me, it is scarcely so trivial as it
looks. Captain Barker is within ten paces of the powder-magazine.
Moreover, between him and the powder-magazine there is a door."

M. de la Pailletine jumped in his shoes. He rushed aft to the
companion leading to the captain's cabin and called on him to
surrender.

"Go away!" answered a very ill-tempered voice from below.

"But, sir, consider. Your ship is in our hands--"

"Then come and take it."

"--Your gallant officers have surrendered. You have behaved like a
hero and there is not one of your enemies but honours you. Monsieur,
it is magnificent--but come out!"

"I shan't."

"Monsieur, even this noble obstinacy extorts my veneration; but
permit me to inquire: How can you help it?"

"Very simply, sir. Time is of no concern to me. I have plenty of
victuals and ammunition down here; and if any man comes to take my
sword I shall kill him."

"You cannot kill five or six hundred men."

"No; when I am bored, I shall fire the powder-magazine."

"Monsieur--"

There was no answer but the sound of a man blowing his nose violently
and the ring of a ramrod as it was thrust home. It was absurd that
one man should hold a ship against hundreds. Nevertheless, it was
so, and the Commodore did not see his way out of it.

"Permit me, sir," said Captain Runacles, stepping forward, "to add my
assurance, if such be needed, that Captain Barker is a man of his
word."

The Commodore essayed gentler tactics.

"Listen, monsieur!" he called down.

"Go away!"

"I have the pleasure to announce to you that you shall meet only with
such treatment as your bravery deserves. Dismiss all apprehension of
imprisonment--"

At this point he skipped backwards with such violence as to knock a
c