“Your comin' here on her account was mighty good of you. But you've got to keep out of this trouble. And you mustn't come here again. That's owner's orders. Why, I'm expectin' a boardin' party any minute,” he added. “I thought when you knocked it was 'papa' comin' for his child. You'd better go.” But she stood still. “I shan't go,” she declared. “Or, at least, not until you promise to let me try to help you. If they come, so much the better. They'll learn where my sympathies are.” Captain Cy scratched his head. “See here, Miss Phoebe,” he said. “I ain't sure that you fully understand that Scripture and everything else is against us. Did Angie turn loose on you the 'Whom the Lord has joined' avalanche?” The schoolmistress burst into a laugh. The captain laughed, too, but his gravity quickly returned. For steps sounded on the walk, there was a whispering outside, and some one knocked on the dining-room door. The situation was similar to that of the evening when the Board of Strategy called and “John Smith” made his first appearance. But now, oddly enough, Captain Cy seemed much less troubled. He looked at Miss Dawes and there was a dancing twinkle in his eye. “Is it--” began the lady, in an agitated whisper. “The boardin' party? I presume likely.” “But what can you do?” “Stand by the repel, I guess,” was the calm reply. “I told you that they had most of the ammunition, but ours ain't all blank cartridges. You stay below and listen to the broadsides.” They heard Georgianna cross the dining room. There was a murmur of voices at the door. The captain nodded. “It's them,” he said. “Well, here goes. Now don't you show yourself.” “Do you think I am afraid? Indeed, I shan't stay 'below' as you call it! I shall let them see--” Captain Cy held up his hand. “I'm commodore of this fleet,” he said; “and that bein' the case, I expect my crew to obey orders. There's nothin' you can do, and--Why, yes! there is, too. You can take care of Bos'n. Georgianna,” to the housekeeper who, looking frightened and nervous, had appeared at the door, “send Bos'n in here quick.” “They're there,” whispered Georgianna. “Mr. Atkins and Tad and that Thomas critter, and lots more. And they've come after her. What shall we do?” “Jump when I speak to you, that's the first thing. Send Bos'n in here and you stay in your galley.” Emily came running. Miss Dawes put an arm about her. Captain Cy, the battle lanterns still twinkling under his brows, stepped forth to meet the “boarding party.” They were there, as Georgianna had said. Mr. Thomas on the top step, Heman and Simpson on the next lower, and behind them Abel Leonard and a group of interested volunteers, principally recruited from the back room of the barber shop.