Cap immediately availed herself of the permission, and went out to look for her servant and horses. But Jem, the first moment he had found himself unwatched, had put out as fast as he could fly to Hurricane Hall, to inform Major Warfield of what had occurred. And Capitola, after losing a great deal of time in looking for him, mounted her horse and was just about to start, when who should ride up in hot haste but Old Hurricane, attended by Wool. "Stop there!" he shouted, as he saw Cap. She obeyed, and he sprang from his horse with the agility of youth, and helped her to descend from hers. Then drawing her arm within his own, he led her into the parlor, and, putting an unusual restraint upon himself, he ordered her to tell him all about the affair. Cap sat down and gave him the whole history from beginning to end. Old Hurricane could not sit still to hear. He strode up and down the room, striking his stick upon the floor, and uttering inarticulate sounds of rage and defiance. When Cap had finished her story he suddenly stopped before her, brought down the point of his stick with a resounding thump upon the floor and exclaimed: "Demmy, you New York newsboy! Will you never be a woman? Why the demon didn't you tell me, sirrah? I would have called the fellow out and chastised him to your heart's content! Hang it, miss, answer me and say!" "Because you are on the invalid list and I am in sound condition and capable of taking my own part!" said Cap. "Then, answer me this, while you were taking your own part, why the foul fiend didn't you pepper him with something sharper than dried peas?" "I think he is quite as severely punished in suffering from extreme terror and intense mortification and public ridicule," said Cap. "And now, uncle, I have not eaten a single blessed mouthful this morning, and I am hungry enough to eat up Gyp, or to satisfy Patty." Old Hurricane, permitting his excitement to subside in a few expiring grunts, rang the bell and gave orders for breakfast to be served. And after that meal was over he set out with his niece for Hurricane Hall. And upon arriving at home he addressed a letter to Mr. Le Noir, to the effect that as soon as the latter should have recovered from the effect of his fright and mortification, he, Major Warfield, should demand and expect satisfaction. CHAPTER XVIII. BLACK DONALD'S LAST ATTEMPT. Who can express the horror of that night, When darkness lent his robes to monster fear? And heaven's black mantle, banishing the light, Made everything in fearful form appear. --Brandon. Let it not be supposed that Black Donald had forgotten his promise to Colonel Le Noir, or was indifferent to its performance. But many perilous failures had taught him caution.