“Aw, captain, I be just returned, and having somewhat of importance to impart I came to tell you.”

Captain Lane asked the Cornish fisherman to be seated and asked: 

“What have you seen, Tris?”

“You see, captain, it be like this.  I be out at sea beyond the bay, and I see a great ship beating up in the bay against wind and tide, and I watch her for a long time as she do go first on one tack and then on the other, until I make sure she be heading for Mariana, and I hasten to tell, with all sail.”

Burrel explained that from the farthest point of Duck Island the vessel had been sighted, and that there was no longer any question of her destination.  Captain Lane rose to go down to the village, where the greatest excitement prevailed.  Turning to Morgianna, he asked: 

“Will you be afraid to remain here, my gem o’ the sea?”

“No, father.”

The captain went and quieted the people.  A strong breeze was blowing from the land, and he knew full well that the Xenophon could not possibly come near enough to harm them for several hours.  He gave some directions concerning the strengthening of the fort, and went home and retired to bed.

Next morning the ship-of-war, the Xenophon was reported lying without the harbor, and at noon, being unable, owing to contrary winds, to enter the harbor, they saw her long-boats landing troops on the northern point of land.  Soldiers to the number of two hundred were landed on the point of land, which, two miles north of Duck Island, projected far out into the sea and was called O’Connor’s Point.  Mariana was situated on a peninsula from half a mile to two miles wide and the troops hurried to the narrowest neck of this peninsula where they halted and proceeded to throw up light earthworks, so as to completely cut off all retreat of the inhabitants.

That evening some officers and a marine guard with a white flag were seen coming down the great road leading from the neck of the peninsula to the mainland and thence to Baltimore.  Many of the inhabitants recognized Lieutenant Matson before he came to the fort.  They were halted and asked what they wanted.

Lieutenant Matson stated that it was his wish to see Captain Lane.

Mounting the earthworks, Captain Lane asked: 

“Do you come in peace or in war?”

“In peace.”

“Then, as the son of an old friend, you are welcome.  You can send back your guard and flag of truce, for I am sufficient surety for your safety.”

The lieutenant told his guard to retire, while he went over the parapet and ascended the hill to the great white house.  Lieutenant Matson was very grave and silent, when they reached the house, which was lighted, for it was now growing dark.  Captain Lane asked his visitor to be seated and said: 

“Now, Lieutenant Matson, you may proceed with your business.”

A pair of soft, dark eyes were fixed on them from a door which was slightly ajar, and even the darkness seemed lighter from the glow of golden hair.  The lieutenant’s back was toward this room, and he did not see the beautiful, anxious face and roguish eyes.  Lieutenant Matson, after a brief silence, said: