Part 16 (1/2)

”It is false, Mr. Talbot; she has pledged herself to me,--yes, sir, to me. I care nothing for your childish love-affairs. She is mine, if I may believe her words, as is the letter which you have basely read.

You will return it to me at once, or I shall have it taken from you by force.”

”I give you the lie, sir, here and now,” shrieked Talbot, laying his hand upon his sword. ”It is not true, she is mine; as for the note--I keep it!”

Seymour controlled himself by a violent effort, and looked around for some of his men. Wilton and Bentley had come aft in great anxiety, and the whole crew were looking eagerly at them, attracted by the aroused voices and the pa.s.sionate att.i.tude of the two men. For a moment the chase was forgotten.

”Oh, Hilary,” said Philip, addressing his friend.

”Hush, Philip, this man insults your sister. I am defending her honor.”

The lad hesitated a moment; discipline was strong in his young soul.

”That is my duty--Mr. Seymour,” he said.

Seymour turned swiftly upon him. ”What are you doing here, Mr. Wilton?

All hands are called, are they not? Your station is on the forecastle, then, I believe,” he said with deadly calm. ”Oblige me by going forward at once, sir.”

”Go, Philip,” cried Talbot; ”I can take care of this man.”

”Aft here, two or three of you,” continued Seymour, his usually even voice trembling a little. ”Seize Lieutenant Talbot. Arrest him. Take his sword from him, and hand me the letter he has in his hand, and then confine him in his cabin.”

Two or three of the seamen came running aft. Talbot whipped out his sword.

”The first man that touches me shall have this through his heart,” he said fiercely. But the seamen would have made short work of him, if it had not been for the restraining hand of Bentley.

”Gentlemen, gentlemen!” he said.

”Out of the way, Bentley. You have changed my plans once. I will not be balked again. I am the captain of this s.h.i.+p, and I intend to be obeyed.”

”'T is well that Mr. Seymour is on his s.h.i.+p and surrounded by his bullies. He dare not meet me man to man, sword to sword. Would we were on sh.o.r.e! You coward!” screamed Talbot, advancing toward him, ”shall I strike you?”

”You will have it then, sir,” said Seymour, at last giving way. ”No man so speaks to me and lives. Back, men!” and white with pa.s.sion and rage he drew his own sword and sprang forward. No less resolutely did Talbot meet him. Their blades crossed and rang against each other.

Bentley wrung his hands in dreadful indecision, not knowing what to do; he dared not lay hands upon his superior officer, yet this combat must cease. But the fierce sword-play, both men being masters of the weapon, as was the habit of gentlemen of that day, was suddenly interrupted.

CHAPTER XVIII

_Duty Wins the Game_

A booming roar came down upon them from the frigate, which had fired a broadside, which was followed presently by the whistling of shot over their heads. Great rents were seen in the canvas, pieces of running gear fell to the deck, there was a cras.h.i.+ng, rending sound, and a part of the rail, left standing abaft the mizzen shrouds, smashed into splinters and drove inboard under the impact of a heavy shot.

One splinter struck the man at the helm in the side; he fell with a shriek, and lay white and still by the side of the wheel, which, no longer restrained by his hand, spun round madly. Another splinter hit the sword of Talbot, breaking the blade and sweeping it from his hands, and the unlucky sc.r.a.p of paper was blown into the sea. The spanker sheet was cut in two, and the boom swept out to windward, knocking one of the men overboard. There was neither time nor opportunity to pick him up, and he went to his death unheeded.

Seymour dropped his sword, every instinct of a sailor aroused, and sprang to the horse-block. The s.h.i.+p, left to itself, fell off rapidly before the wind. Bentley jumped to seize the helm.

”Flow the head sheets there!” cried the lieutenant; ”lively! Aft here and haul in the spanker! Brail up the foresail! Down, hard down with the helm!”

There was another broadside from the heavy guns of the frigate. Talbot replied with his stern-chaser, and a cloud of splinters showed that the shot took effect, whereat the men at the gun cheered and loaded, and then crash went the mizzen topgallant mast above their heads!

”Lively, men!” shouted Seymour, ”we must get on the wind again or we are lost.”