Nombre de Dios, when I was a powder-boy in the old ship _Lion_, the day that we engaged the _Spiritus Sanctus_ of two tier o' guns--the first time that ever I heard the screech of ball--my heart never thumped as it does now.

What say ye if we run back with a fair wind and broach that anker of Nants ?' 'Nay, stand to it, man,' said I; for by this time, we had come to the ivy-clad cottage behind which was the village smithy.

'What, Solomon! an English seaman never feared a foe, either with petticoats or without them.' 'No, curse me if he did!' quoth Solomon, squaring his shoulders, 'never a one, Don, Devil, or Dutchman; so here goes for her!' So saying he made his way into the cottage, leaving me standing by the garden wicket, half amused and half annoyed at this interruption to my musings.
As it proved, the sailor had no very great difficulty with his suit, and soon managed to capture his prize, to use his own language.

I heard from the garden the growling of his gruff voice, and a good deal of shrill laughter ending in a small squeak, which meant, I suppose, that he was coming to close quarters.

Then there was silence for a little while, and at last I saw a white kerchief waving from the window, and perceived, moreover, that it was Phoebe herself who was fluttering it.