Ada Revere had looked imploringly upon Marston and Coe alternately, while the quarrel had been growing to its present condition. Anxiety and terror were both plainly expressed in her face; she had seemed, hitherto, desirous of interfering, but fearful of doing so; no doubt she had learned from much experience the danger of attempting to check Captain Marston in any of his acts. Now the prospect of an immediate conflict seemed to rouse her to action. She threw herself upon her knees between the two foes. "Oh! I beseech you," she cried, "let this quarrel go no farther. You know, Captain Marston, why I feel an interest in you; but you do not know that this gentleman, Mr Coe, rendered me, many years ago, one of those services which can never be forgotten. Think, gentlemen, what horror it would be to me to see one of you injured, or perhaps even killed by the other, and have pity upon me." John Coe raised her from her kneeling position with evident tenderness. "I do not fully know what you mean, madam," he said, "and cannot, therefore, make use of your meaning to put a stop to what is going on. But I can feel for your evident suffering without knowing its cause." "Master Revere," said Marston, with sadness and yet something of sternness in his voice, "if I could, I would consult your feelings in this matter. But what you say comes too late, even if it were fully explained. Mr Brown, do me the favour to lead this young gentleman to his state-room door." Mr Bowsprit advanced, and taking the hand of Ada led her away. She retired, still extending her disengaged hand towards the intended combatants, with an imploring glance. STORY TWO, CHAPTER EIGHT. THE SHIP DUCHESS. She was a vision of delight. _Ballad_. These treasures are for you, my own beloved one-- Laid up for you by your own father's hand. _Foxglove_. *Antonio*. A long, low, black and rakish vessel, say you? *Pietro*. Yes, captain; she's a pirate beyond doubt. *Antonio*. We'll have a fight or e'er she capture us. _The Storm_. The truth of my history obliges me to relate some occurrences powerfully bearing upon John's fortunes. It was in the early part of the month of June, in the year 1817, when the ship _Duchess_ left the port of Kingston, in the island of Jamaica, bound to the port of Havre, in France. She had been chartered for this voyage by a French merchant by the name of Jules Durocher.