re of relieving
you from your bondage."

Isabel's lips quivered as she replied, "I trust in God that you may, Mr
Forster!--but--I feel more anxious now than I did on the former
occasion. I--"

"I have a foreboding," interrupted Newton, "that this day's work is to
make or mar me! Why, I cannot tell, but I feel more confident than the
chances would warrant; but farewell, Isabel--God bless you!"--and
Newton, pressing her hand, sprang up the ladder to his station on the
quarter-deck.

I have before observed that a man's courage much depends upon his
worldly means or prospects. A man who has much to lose, whatever the
property may consist of, will be less inclined to fight than another
whose whole capital consists of a "light heart and a thin pair of
breeches." Upon the same reasoning, a man in love will not be inclined
to fight as another. Death then cuts off the sweetest prospects in
existence. Lord St. Vincent used to say that a married man was damned
for the service. Now (bating the honeymoon), I do not agree with his
lordship. A man in love may be inclined to play the Mark Antony; but a
married man, "come what will, he has been blessed." Once fairly into
action, it then is of little consequence whether a man is a bachelor, or
married, or in love; the all-absorbing occupation of killing your
fellow-creatures makes you for the time forget whether you are a beggar
or a prince.

When Newton returned on deck, he found that the corvette had gradually
edged down until nearly within point-blank range.

"Shall we lay the main-topsail to the mast?" observed Newton. "We shall
see his manoeuvres."

"Why, he hardly would be fool enough to bear down to us," replied
Captain Oughton; "he is a determined fellow, I know; but I believe not a
rash one. However, we can but try. Square the main-yard."

As soon as the _Windsor Castle_ was hove-to, the courses of the enemy
were seen to flutter a few moments in the breeze, and then the canvas
was expanded. When the vessel had gathered sufficient way, she hove in
stays, and crossed the _Windsor Castle_ on the opposite tack.

"I thought so," observed Captain Oughton. "The fellow knows what he is
about. He'll not `put his head in chancery,' that's clear. How
cautious the rascal is! It's very like the first round of a fight--much
manoeuvring and wary sparring before they begin to make play."

The corvette stood on the opposite tack until well abaft the beam. She
then w