"Now," said he, "it is absolutely necessary that Miss Jenny and the Captain come to an understanding; if they are going to be sulky like this all the passage we shall get nothing done. They must speak, discuss; let them dispute even, so long as they talk, and I'll be hanged if during their conversation James Playfair does not propose himself what he refused me to-day." But when Crockston saw that the young girl and the young man avoided each other, he began to be perplexed. "We must look sharp," said he to himself, and the morning of the fourth day he entered Miss Halliburtt's cabin, rubbing his hands with an air of perfect satisfaction. "Good news!" cried he, "good news! You will never guess what the Captain has proposed to me. A very noble young man he is. Now try." "Ah!" replied Jenny, whose heart beat violently, "has he proposed to--" "To deliver Mr. Halliburtt, to carry him off from the Confederates, and bring him to England." "Is it true?" cried Jenny. "It is as I say, miss. What a good-hearted man this James Playfair is! These English are either all good or all bad. Ah! he may reckon on my gratitude, and I am ready to cut myself in pieces if it would please him." Jenny's joy was profound on hearing Crockston's words. Deliver her father! She had never dared to think of such a plan, and the Captain of the _Dolphin_ was going to risk his ship and crew! "That's what he is," added Crockston; "and this, Miss Jenny, is well worth an acknowledgment from you." "More than an acknowledgment," cried the young girl; "a lasting friendship!" And immediately she left the cabin to find James Playfair, and express to him the sentiments which flowed from her heart. "Getting on by degrees," muttered the American. James Playfair was pacing to and fro on the poop, and, as may be thought, he was very much surprised, not to say amazed, to see the young girl come up to him, her eyes moist with grateful tears, and, holding out her hand to him, saying: "Thank you, sir, thank you for your kindness, which I should never have dared to expect from a stranger." "Miss," replied the Captain, as if he understood nothing of what she was talking, and could not understand, "I do not know--" "Nevertheless, sir, you are going to brave many dangers, perhaps compromise your interests for me, and you have done so much already in offering me on board an hospitality to which I have no right whatever--" "Pardon me, Miss Jenny," interrupted James Playfair, "but I protest again I do not understand your words. I have acted towards you as any well-bred man would towards a lady, and my conduct deserves neither so many thanks nor so much gratitude." "Mr. Playfair," said Jenny, "it is useless to pretend any longer; Crockston has told me all!" "Ah!" said the Captain, "Crockston has told you all; then I understand less than ever the reason for your leaving your cabin, and saying these words which--"