s, and sacrifice themselves in
order not to allow us to capture the little fleet, probably prizes, off
yonder. The man who commands her is a hero, certainly."

"Just what Mr. Seymour would do. Oh, if it were he!" she exclaimed,
clasping her hands, her eyes filling with tears at the possibility.

"Well, it may be, of course. He was certain to be posted captain soon,
and 'tis like him truly. But, Kate, the ships are drawing nearer every
moment. You must go below in case of action, my dear."

"Yes, Miss Wilton," said Desborough, who had at that moment approached
them, looking very handsome, having heard the last words of the
colonel; "we have arranged a safe place for you and your maid, in the
cable tiers, way below the water-line, and out of the way of shot,
though I hardly expect much of it from that fellow. Will you allow me
to conduct you there? Perhaps you too, colonel, would be safer if you
would--"

"Pardon me, sir, unless force is used, I shall remain on deck. The
idea of me, sir--skulking in the hold during an action! Why, sir,--"

"And the idea of me, either, doing the same thing!" said Katharine
defiantly, in a ringing voice in which there was a clear echo of her
father's determination.

Both men looked at her smiling.

"Oh, you are different, Miss Wilton," said Desborough.

"No use, Katharine: you must go," added her father.

"Oh, please!"

"My daughter--"

"Oh, father, let me stay just a little longer--there is no danger yet.
Take Chloe down, if you will, Mr. Desborough, and have a place ready
for me. I 'll go down when the battle begins--indeed I will, father!"
she continued entreatingly.

"Well," said the colonel, uncertainly, "let her stay a little longer,
my lord."

"Very well, sir," replied Desborough, bowing and turning forward.

"Here, you Jack, take this girl below and stow her away in the cable
tiers by the main hatch," he said, pointing to Chloe, who was led
unresistingly away, her teeth chattering with undefined but none the
less overwhelming terror. The colonel stepped forward beside Captain
Vincent, and Desborough descended to the main-deck to superintend the
fighting of the batteries, while Katharine, grateful for the respite,
and determined not to go below at all, stepped aft in the shelter of
the rail, her heart already beating madly, as the two ships approached
each other in silence.

CHAPTER XXXV

_Bentley Says Good-by_

The men on the Randolph were in