_Capt. and Sir J._ Ring the merry bells on board ship---- _Jos._ For the union of a maiden---- _Capt. and Sir J._ For the union with his lordship. _All._ Rend with songs the air above For the man who owns her love! [_Exit JOSEPHINE._ _Capt._ Sir Joseph, I cannot express to you my delight at the happy result of your eloquence. Your argument was unanswerable. _Sir J._ Captain Corcoran, it is one of the happiest characteristics of this glorious country that official utterances are invariably regarded as unanswerable. [_Exit SIR JOSEPH into cabin._ _Capt._ At last my fond hopes are to be crowned. My only daughter is to be the bride of a Cabinet Minister. The prospect is Elysian. _During this speech DICK DEADEYE has entered._ _Dick._ Captain! _Capt._ Deadeye! You here? Don’t! (_Recoiling from him._) _Dick._ Ah, don’t shrink from me, Captain. I’m unpleasant to look at, and my name’s agin me, but I ain’t as bad as I seem. _Capt._ What would you with me? _Dick_ (_mysteriously_). I’m come to give you warning. _Capt._ Indeed! Do you propose to leave the Navy, then? _Dick._ No, no, you misunderstand me; listen. DUET.--CAPTAIN AND DICK DEADEYE. _Dick._ Kind Captain, I’ve important information, Sing hey, the kind commander that you are! About a certain intimate relation; Sing hey, the merry maiden and the tar! _Both._ The merry maiden and the tar!-- _Capt._ Good fellow, in conundrums you are speaking, Sing hey, the mystic sailor that you are! The answer to them vainly I am seeking; Sing hey, the merry maiden and the tar! _Both._ The merry maiden and the tar! _Dick._ Kind Captain, your young lady is a-sighing, Sing hey, the simple captain that you are! This very night with Rackstraw to be flying; Sing hey, the merry maiden and the tar! _Both._ The merry maiden and the tar! _Capt._ Good fellow, you have given timely warning, Sing hey, the thoughtful sailor that you are! I’ll talk to Master Rackstraw in the morning; Sing hey, the cat-o’-nine-tails and the tar! (_Producing a “cat.”_) _Both._ The merry cat-o’-nine-tails and the tar! _Capt._ Dick Deadeye, I thank you for your warning; I will at once take means to arrest their flight. This boat-cloak will afford me ample disguise. So! (_Envelopes himself in a mysterious cloak, holding it before his face._) _Dick._ Ha! ha! They are foiled--foiled--foiled!