"Oh, you do, do you? Well, I think she is one of ours. No American would dare to lead down on us in that way! We can blow him out of the water with a broadside or two, you know, but we 'll give him a hint all the same. Fire a gun there, to leeward, and hoist our colors." As the smoke rolled away along the water, the stops were broken, and there flew out from each masthead the splendid English flag. It was answered soon afterward by a small English flag at the gaff of the approaching ship, which apparently mystified the captain more than ever, though it confirmed him in his previous opinion. "Oh, father," whispered Katharine, clinging to the colonel, "what do you think it is? See that English flag!" "Kate, I 'm morally sure that it is an American ship; it is just the plan and size of those ordered by Congress in '75. One of those ships should be in commission by now. If I am right, this should be the Randolph. I saw her a dozen times in Philadelphia; and if that's not she, I shall never pretend to know a ship again." "But did you hear what Captain Vincent said?" continued Katharine; "how many guns would the Randolph carry?" "About forty, and most of them small ones at best," answered the colonel, with a sigh. The two ships were much nearer now, and their disparity in force was apparent even to the most unskilful eye. "The little ship can't fight this great one, father, can it?" "No, my dear; that is, not with any chance of success. But I fear--or hope, rather--that they mean to engage us, and sacrifice themselves in order not to allow us to capture the little fleet, probably prizes, off yonder. The man who commands her is a hero, certainly." "Just what Mr. Seymour would do. Oh, if it were he!" she exclaimed, clasping her hands, her eyes filling with tears at the possibility. "Well, it may be, of course. He was certain to be posted captain soon, and 'tis like him truly. But, Kate, the ships are drawing nearer every moment. You must go below in case of action, my dear." "Yes, Miss Wilton," said Desborough, who had at that moment approached them, looking very handsome, having heard the last words of the colonel; "we have arranged a safe place for you and your maid, in the cable tiers, way below the water-line, and out of the way of shot, though I hardly expect much of it from that fellow. Will you allow me to conduct you there? Perhaps you too, colonel, would be safer if you would--" "Pardon me, sir, unless force is used, I shall remain on deck. The idea of me, sir--skulking in the hold during an action! Why, sir,--" "And the idea of me, either, doing the same thing!" said Katharine defiantly, in a ringing voice in which there was a clear echo of her father's determination. Both men looked at her smiling. "Oh, you are different, Miss Wilton," said Desborough. "No use, Katharine: you must go," added her father. "Oh, please!" "My daughter--"