own the
throats of a free people!"

"The fortune of war, madam," I replied, my choler rising somewhat at her
remarks; still I did not forget she was a lady, and that I was an
officer and a gentleman.

"Such as brigands might be ashamed of," she replied. "Then, sir, we are
to consider ourselves as your prisoners?"

"Not a moment longer than I can help it, I assure you, madam," I
answered, rather inclined to be amused than angry, and hoping to pique
her by my replies. "You are free to go in any direction you please
directly you have an opportunity."

"You speak mockingly, sir," she said, apparently determined not to be on
good terms with me.

I was anxious to bring the conversation to a conclusion without being
rude to her; she was very evidently a lady, and probably accustomed to
be treated with attention. My curiosity also was excited to know who
her companion could be. We had seen two females on board, and she had
used the word "we" several times as if her companion was her equal;
whether older or younger was the question. She herself had the
appearance and air of a matron who, though past the bloom of youth,
still retained much of her beauty. Bowing to her again, I turned to the
melancholy-faced master and inquired the particulars of his cargo, where
he was from, and where bound to. He was from Boston, with a cargo of
notions bound for Philadelphia.

"Well, then, captain, I'll step below, just to have a look at your
papers," said I, trying to appear as unconcerned as possible. "Then
we'll get the wreck of your masts cleared away and take you in tow. You
and your mate with two hands will go on board my vessel, the rest will
remain here to help work this craft."

He saw that my orders were not to be disputed, though he prepared to
obey them with no very good grace. I had no fear of any trick being
played me, for the Lady Parker was fast coming up to the scene of
action, or I should not have trusted either the lank master or the
lovely dame. I hailed Grampus to send another boat aboard, and while
she was coming I dived below, disregarding the black looks both of the
master and the lady. I certainly was not prepared for the vision of
loveliness which broke on my sight when I opened the door of the cabin.
I somehow or other had taken it into my head that the lady on deck was
the youngest of the two persons we had seen, and I expected accordingly
to find a stout, elderly dame acting as her chaperone or