One day his vessel sighted a large merchantman, off the coast of Spain, and engaged it in a terrible conflict. The merchantman carried twice as many people and heavier guns than the _Sea Rover_; but by the skilful management of his ship Captain Lane continued to rake her fore and aft until she was forced to strike her colors. When the conqueror went aboard, he found the splintered deck a scene of horror. Cordage, shrouds, broken spars and dead and dying men strewed the deck. Near the gangway was a middle-aged man holding in his arms a girl mortally wounded in the conflict. He recognized her in a moment, and the scene which followed tried all the powers of the old yarn-spinner's descriptive faculties. He held her in his arms and wept and prayed until her life was extinct. It was said that she recognized him and that she died with a sweet smile on her face, pointing upward to a place of reunion. The father, who had survived the conflict, was released, and Captain Felix continued his career a sadder and better man. Whether this story was true or not, no one can at this day tell, for Jack tars are proverbial yarn-spinners, and seek more after romance than truth. One thing is quite certain, though, Captain Lane was still a bachelor, and had resisted all the advances of beautiful women, until no one doubted that he would end his days a bachelor. On this bright June morning a sail was descried S.S.E., and there immediately sprang up a little conversation between master and mate as to the probable character of the ship. "Perchance, captain, it's a British cruiser," suggested the mate. "If it should be, we have no fears." "No, for the _Ocean Star_ can show a pair of clean heels to anything afloat. These British have a habit of searching all vessels they can capture and impressing seamen." "It's ugly business." "It will breed another storm." "I don't think America will long submit." At this, the mate, whose temper was as fiery as his red hair, vowed: "If they should board a ship of mine, I would give 'em lead and steel, until they would not care to search or impress any one." "They have no such right," the captain answered, and his face grew very stern. The vessel, whatever she was, did not cross their path, however, and in a few hours disappeared around some jutting headlands.