at all liked the ominous
frown which he had seen gather over the fair Angelica's brow, and still
less the dictatorial tone of the irate major. Billy had a fair
proportion of good sense, although he made a fool of himself sometimes;
and was, when put on his mettle, as brave as any man. His good genius
suggested to him the various remarks which Tom had made respecting the
Bubsby family.

"I say that I did not intend to insult your daughter, and that I had not
read the lines presented to her, nor did I compose them myself. I must
beg that she will give them me back. I am ready to apologise for my
unintentional mistake, and do so now."

At this juncture Mrs Bubsby and her other daughter joined the party,
and at once set tooth and nail on poor Billy, not literally, but
metaphorically. His spirit, however, was up. He positively refused to
marry the fair Angelica, or to offer any further apology than he had
already done.

"Then, sir, I must have satisfaction," exclaimed the major. "Your blood
or mine must dye the soil of Africa ere many days are over!"

"Oh! my beloved husband, do not say that," exclaimed Mrs Bubsby. "He
is beneath your notice. If he refuses to marry Angelica, the loss will
be his. She will find ere long a far better husband."

"You wicked, deceitful, cruel, abominable young man!" exclaimed
Angelica. "If you do not marry me you'll break my heart! It's not the
first time I've been treated in this way. It shows me, however, more
and more that you naval officers are not to be trusted."

Jack observed that something unpleasant was going on; but he was too
much occupied with watching the position of the ship to interfere, as
were the other officers. Billy himself also had presently to hurry
forward to attend to his duties, while the major and his wife and
daughters retired to their cabins to discuss the matter.

By this time heavy rollers were coming in, breaking within a cable's
length of the ship on each quarter, making her position far from
pleasant. There was but a light air from the southward, insufficient to
enable her get under way.

Jack much regretted having come to the place, for it was evidently a far
from satisfactory one for landing troops. The cutter was now lowered,
and sent round the ship to sound. On her return on board the master
reported only seven fathoms close to the breakers. The breeze now
freshened from east-south-east, but the rollers increasing, the sea
broke h