16 THE WORLD OF ICE.

Pressing her fervently to his heart, Captain Ellice
sprang on deck.

By this time the news had spread through the ship,
and the crew, consisting of upwards of thirty men,
were conversing earnestly in knots of four or five
while they sharpened and buckled on cutlasses, or
loaded pistols and carbines.

“Send the men aft, Mr. Thompson,” said the cap-
tain, as he paced the deck to and fro, casting his eyes
occasionally on the schooner, which was rapidly near-
ine the vessel. “Take another pull at these main-
topsail-halyards, and send the steward down below
for my sword and pistols. Let the men look sharp ;
we've no time to lose, and hot work is before us.”

“T will go for your sword, father,” cried Fred, who
had just come on deck.

“Boy, boy, you must go below; you can be of no
use here.”

“ But, father, you know that I'm not afraid.”

“YT know that, boy—I know it well; but you're
too young to fight

 

you're not strong enough. Besides,
you must comfort and cheer your mother; she may
want you.”

“Tm old cnough and strong enough to load and fire
a pistol, father; and I heard one of the men say we
would need all the hands on board, and more if we
had them. Besides, it was my mother who told me
what was going on, and sent me on deck to help you
to fight.”

A momentary gleam of pride Lt up the countenance