‘It is; the enemies of my king are the enemies of God, and I would pursue them to the last gasp. Thou art a rebel, sir Captain, and all these about thee. Should they be spared if I could rid the king of them, by the loss of my own life? No!’ During all this time he had not even lifted his head, but as if humbled by his bonds, his eyes still sought the floor. ‘Would you not embrace such a proposal,’ said Fanny, ‘as should restore your wife to your bosom, and your children to your arms.’ The man started--his Herculean proportions assuming an attitude that would have struck an artist with admiration. His head was erect, his eyes bent eagerly upon the captain, and his form seemed to be at least a half a head taller than before. In a moment more his head dropped again as if the spirit that had actuated him for a moment had passed away, and he even doubted that he had heard aright. Relapsing into his former state, he made no reply to the question that had so moved him. ‘Say, prisoner,’ continued Fanny, ‘would you again see those you have left in your native land--your home, your wife and children, and those you love?’ ‘I shall meet them in Heaven,’ was the calm reply. ‘And is it loyalty to thy king that has incited thee to this mistaken course?’ asked Fanny. ‘What else could actuate a British sailor?’ ‘Unbind him!’ said Fanny to the guard, who stood by his side. ‘Do I command this vessel?’ asked Fanny, rising and drawing her naked sword, and grasping it for action. ‘Certainly, sir.’ said one of the men, ‘but your honor, we------’ ‘Do you hear, fellows? Unbind him!’ Lovell and Herbert were unprepared for this, and did not venture a word, while the guard did as they were ordered. In a moment more the Englishman stood unbound, and at liberty before her, his fine manly face evincing the utmost surprise, while he stood motionless with astonishment. ‘I think I have not mistaken you, sir, ‘said Fanny, addressing the prisoner, ‘and if I have read you aright, it best behoves us to hold converse with such as thou art on _equal_ terms. You are now _free!_’ ‘And to what end?’ asked the man in amazement. ‘I would _reason_ with you.’ ‘I am attentive,’ said the Englishmen, evincing by his manner and speech a degree of refinement, that he had not before shown. ‘Dost thou know,’ asked Fanny, ‘of the oppression that has driven the North American Colonies of Great Britain to the course they have adopted? what flagrant wrongs they have endured; what servile and debasing treatment they have suffered at the hands of the evil advisers of the king?’ ‘I only know that the North American Colonies have rebelled against their lawful king,’ said the Englishman, moodily.