"Yes, that he did: a pistol for Kitty to use on them or herself, and my sword that I might end as most of us Fleets have ended; and, egad! I am glad that we were captured to know what a daughter I have, for it has been a bitter thing to me that the last of the Fleets should be a woman. But the way she stood the cannonade, even that did not come up to her conduct in the store-room. As soon as they found us out and began their assault on the door, leaping on a barrel she flew her white flag at the window. They yelled out their '_Buono! buono!_' and bade us open. We took no notice, and they became furious; and then first one and then another fired at the flag she was holding. None of the balls hit her, though she had some nasty cuts from stone splinters; but the fire became so hot that she had to tie the handkerchief to the bars, which she did without further hurt, though they fired at her all the time she was tying it. And then you came." "Madam," said our famous Captain Troubridge, unbuckling his sword-belt, "I hope I may be permitted"; and with that he advanced to her and presented his sword. Katherine blushed with pleasure, and found a happy way out of her embarrassment by passing the belt twice round her own waist and getting the buckle to meet; while Captain Troubridge put on the cutlass of one of our men, the only one who had been hurt in the short _mêlée_. Then an escort was sent under Lieutenant Vassall's command--for Will was in attendance on Admiral the Lord Eastry--to conduct the rescued prisoners to the Castel dell' Uovo until word could be got off to the flagship about them. They got there without mishap, though Will would have been mighty glad to have changed places with Vassall. He had no desire for conversation yet; and for guarding Katherine, Vassall was quite sufficiently near. Arrived at the Castle, Lord Eastry and his daughter were conducted to the Governor's apartments, which had a flat roof, where there was mounted a powerful glass beside our lately added heavy ordnance. What happened thereafter I had from Will, and have heard with much more humour, since their happy marriage, from Katherine. I don't know by what chance or design his lordship stumped up to the roof alone--a difficult matter for him; but certain it is that very soon after their arrival Will found himself subjected to the severest fire of the whole campaign in a _tête-à-tête_ with Katherine. Katherine came straight to him with both hands outstretched. He took them, and held her at arms' length. "Well, Will, aren't you going to kiss me? Is this what the dying away of letters meant?"