Part 33 (1/2)

After a long silence Fernando asked:

”Is he married?”

”Who?” asked Sukey.

”Faith, the captain's absent minded,” put in Terrence.

”I mean Lieutenant Matson.”

”Not as I know of.”

”Did you see him after we left Mariana?”

”Yes.”

”When?”

”Only six days before we were captured by Decatur. We touched at the Canary Islands, and the _Xenophon_ was there. He came aboard our vessel.”

”Did he recognize you?”

”No,” Sukey answered. ”Had he known me he wouldn't a-talked with a common sailor.”

”Was he married then?”

”No; I heard him tell Captain Garden that he was still single.”

Fernando heaved another sigh and asked:

”Did he say--did he say anything about her?”

”Who?”

Fernando heaved another sigh and asked:

”Did he say--did he say anything about her?'7

”Who?”

The conversation was not interesting to Terrence and he had gone to another part of the camp, to engage in a game of cards with a sentry.

”Morgianna,” Fernando said.

”Morgianna? no--she is the girl at Mariana, isn't she?”

”Yes.”

”I didn't hear him mention her name.”

”They are not married yet?”