200 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

night,” Miss Dunham said, when Ben had finished arming
his little troop.

«Every moment is precious, and it stands us in hand to
see that none are wasted.”

“Tt is even more necessary you should think first of
your own safety.”

“But I am doing that in attacking the scoundrels as
soon as possible.” .

“T don’t think so,” she said, hesitatingly, “and yet at
such a time I have no right to oppose your plans, other
than this: If by an ill-advised move you and these two
sailors should be overpowered, remember what my position
would be.”

“Tf for a moment I forgot what might happen, it was
not because you are ever absent from my thoughts. Your
safety is of more value to me than a dozen brigs.”

“And in order to insure that, it is necessary you take
every precaution to save your own life.”

“T shall pull you through, unless I make a mistake,
and in that case —”

“In that case I have this,” touching her weapon sig-
nificantly, as she laid one hand, half caressingly, on his
shoulder.

Ben clasped her in his arms for an instant.

There was no necessity then for words.

Each understood the other as if their love-making had
been conducted under the most favourable circumstances,
and after this brief caress the young captain said, in a
voice which had a ring of triumph :