"Yes; but so as to spare my men, and to spare myself. Bart, I am going to teach the king's grand officer what it is to trifle, and to treat those he holds beneath him as if they were meant for his pleasure, and made for that alone. I am going to destroy the ship of this grand officer, to scatter his men, and to take him prisoner if I can." "No!" said Bart, hoarsely. "Don't do that." "Why!" cried the captain, mockingly. "Are you afraid that I shall be weak once more? Don't be afraid, Bart. Mary Dell is dead, and it is the soul of her brother who moves this body, and he it is who will take a bitter revenge upon Captain Armstrong for slaying Mary Dell; for in spirit it is this he did." "You won't kill him?" whispered Bart. "Why not? Was Mary Dell spared? Was Abel, her brother, treated so tenderly that I should hold my hand?" "But--" began Bart. "Leave that to me, Bart Wrigley. Help me to get him into my power, and then he shall learn a truth which will make the traitor--the coward-- wince. Brave officer of his Majesty the King! How brave you shall see. Now, do you understand why I mean to fight?" "Yes," said Bart, sadly; "I see. But think twice, my lad." "Bart!" cried the captain, passionately, "I've thought a hundred times; and if I were ashore, and could go there--" "I know," said Bart, gloomily. "You'd come out more and more savage and determined, as you always have been. Think twice, my lad. You're rich; and you're safe. Once more, why not throw it up now and let's go home. I asks no more, captain. I've lived long enough to know all that; but come home now. There's a life o' peace yonder, and you can take it now; to-morrow it may be too late." "Let it be so then, Bart." "And you'll come home--to old Devon once again?" "No! I'm going to meet the captain face to face, Bart, and plant my heel upon his neck." CHAPTER TWENTY TWO. NEWS AT LAST. Humphrey Armstrong sat in his cabin listening to the whirr of a beetle which had been attracted by the lights, and flown in through the open window, to make a bass to the treble hum of the mosquitoes which haunted the mouth of the river where the ship had anchored for the night. The day had been intensely hot, and the cabin seemed ovenlike, as its occupant sat listening to the insect hum; and then to the strange croakings and rustling noises which came from the primeval forest on either side. Now and then a deep roar announced the presence of some huge creature of the cat tribe prowling in search of prey, and this would be followed by a distant answering call.