“Are they then male and female?” Lettice asked mischievously. Then seeing her brother’s face looked really grave and troubled, she linked her arm in his and said coaxingly: “Never mind, Jamie, there are as good fish in the sea as ever yet were caught, and one doesn’t need to go so far from home for them. Let’s whistle these weather-vanes off, and let them whirl to the tune their north wind blows. Is that the _Patapsco_? I’m glad to be aboard her once more. There seems to be a fair number of passengers in spite of the alarms. We will have a right merry time, I reckon. There is Becky Lowe, as I live! and Tyler Baldwin, and--Come, Jamie, help me up.” And in a few minutes a jolly little party was established in one corner of the boat, Lettice and her brother being welcomed heartily. “I’m scared to death!” Becky cried. “Jamie, I was so relieved to see you come aboard; it guarantees one more protector if we are attacked by the British. You will fight for me, won’t you?” And she turned a coquettish glance upon him, moving a little aside that he might take a seat next her. Lettice, leaning over the rail, watched the water as the boat moved out of her dock and started down the Basin, moving slowly between the shores now showing their first suggestion of spring. “Are you scared, Miss Lettice?” asked Tyler Baldwin by her side. “No, are you?” she asked, without raising her eyes. “Yes, for you.” Lettice looked up, startled. “What do you mean?” “I mean that I wish to heaven that all the ladies were safe inland, miles from the coast. I’ve no confidence in our being safe, although the captain says so.” “What would they do to us if they were to take us?” asked Lettice, looking sober. “They’d not treat you ill, I hope, but they might scare you to death. Miss Lettice, I have not seen you since your visit to Washington. Did you enjoy the naval ball?” “You are changing the subject. Do I look pale with fright?” “No, you do not; but it is not a pleasant thing to anticipate, and I should not have spoken of it. Why harrow ourselves with what may not happen at all?” “Why, indeed. Yes, I was at the ball. How did you know?” “I didn’t know, positively; I promised to find out. I judged from the description given me by one who saw you that it might be you whom my cousin, Ellicott Baldwin, met.” “Is he a naval officer? A young man? Yes, I see, it is you of whom he reminded me. Did he tell you--Oh, Tyler, I hope he didn’t think me a forward piece. I spoke to him in a moment of excitement, not realizing that he was a stranger. How came he to mention it?”