"Lave it all to me. The Britishers are in trouble enough. Sure, haven't ye read the Baltimore papers? Captain Conkerall is to be tried by a court-martial for gettin' bastely drunk and goin' abroad with no garment but his shirt, and a sheet with a hole in it." Terrence laughed until the tears trickled down his cheeks. Fernando could not see how he could help fighting the lieutenant again if he demanded satisfaction; but the Irishman was quite sure the lieutenant would have enough to do to keep his captain out of his dilemma. Sukey, who had entered during their conversation, said: "Oh, Fernando, why didn't you aim higher and blow his head off?" "Why did the lieutenant challenge me, when the captain was the injured party?" asked Fernando. Terrence explained that, while the Captain was really the injured party, it was a matter of courtesy that his officer lower in rank should take the quarrel upon himself, more especially as Fernando had been his successful rival at the ball. From this, the conversation gradually led to Morgianna herself, and Terrence laughed and winked; and called Fernando a lucky dog. "Go in, me boy, and if ye nade any help, I am at hand." "I fear I have injured my prospects there," said Fernando. "How?" "By the duel. Lieutenant Matson is an old friend of the captain, and I believe a suitor for the hand of his daughter. What show has a schoolboy against a lieutenant in the English navy?--none." "Yes he has," declared Terrence. "What show can he have?" "Lave it all to me, me frind, and I will bring ye out all right, see if I don't." "I have left too many things to you, Terrence, and you have a most remarkable faculty for getting me into trouble." Terrence assured him that he would yet aid him to outgeneral the Englishman, and he only wished that he might come into port during their stay. "Terrence, you must take no advantage of the public hatred of the English to accomplish your purpose. Remember, Lieutenant Matson is the son of Captain Lane's friend. You might raise a mob and have him driven away; but I will not consent to it." "Indade, I don't mane it, me boy. Lave it to me. If he comes ashore, faith, we'll out-gineral him, sure." Next day there came letters for the runaways. Terrence's father, being wealthy and influential, had gone to Baltimore, interceded with the faculty and had the runaway scapegraces retained. There were also letters from the parents of the young men, condemning, but at the time forgiving and warning them to be more careful in the future. It was some distance by the road to Baltimore, and the boys decided to take passage in a coasting schooner which was loading with barley and would be ready to go in three days.