Captain Drawlock’s departure was followed by that of all the male party, with the exception of Dr Plausible and Mr Ferguson, both of whom, however, were anxious to go upon deck, and ascertain how matters stood.

“Mr Ferguson, where are you going?” said his wife, sharply.  “Pray! sir, do us the favour to remain.  Your profession, if I mistake not, is one of peace.”

“Oh!  Doctor Plausible, I feel very unwell,” cried Miss Tavistock.

“I will stay with you, my dear madam,” replied the doctor.

A gun from the commodore’s ship, which was close to windward of them, burst upon their ears, rattling the cabin windows, and making every wine glass on the table to dance with the concussion.

“Oh! oh! oh!” screamed Miss Tavistock, throwing herself back in her chair, and expanding her arms and fingers.

Doctor Plausible flew to the lady’s assistance.

“The extreme fineness of her organic structure,—­a little water, if you please, Miss Charlotte Revel.”

A tumbler of water was poured out, and Doctor Plausible, dipping the tip of his forefinger into it, passed it lightly over the lady’s brows.  “She will be better directly.”

But the lady did not think proper to come to so soon as the doctor prophesied, and Mrs Ferguson, snatching up the tumbler, dashed the contents with violence in Miss Tavistock’s face; at which Miss Tavistock not only revived, but jumped up from her chair, blowing and spluttering.

“Are you better now, Miss Tavistock?” said Mrs Ferguson, soothingly, at the same time glancing her eyes at the other ladies, who could not restrain their mirth.

“Oh!  Doctor Plausible, that shock has so affected my nerves, I feel that I shall faint again, I do indeed—­I’m going—­”

“Lean upon me, Miss Tavistock, and permit me to conduct you to your cabin,” replied the doctor; “the extreme delicacy of your constitution,” continued he, whispering, as they left the cuddy, “is not equal to the boisterous remedies of Mrs Ferguson.”

As they went out, Newton Forster came in.

“You must not be alarmed, ladies, when I state that I am commissioned by Captain Drawlock to inform you that the stranger’s manoeuvres are so doubtful, that we think she is an enemy.  He has desired me to request you will accept my convoy to the lower-deck, where you will be safe from accident, in the event of our coming to an engagement.  Mr Ferguson, the captain entrusts the ladies to your charge, and requests that you will not leave them upon any consideration.  Now, Mrs Ferguson, will you permit me to escort you to a place of security?”

At this intelligence Laura Revel stared, Charlotte burst into tears, and Isabel turned pale.  Mrs Ferguson took the arm of Newton without saying a word, when the other was offered and accepted by Isabel.  Mr Ferguson, with the two other sisters, brought up the rear.  The ladies had to pass the quarter-deck, and when they saw the preparations—­the guns cast loose, the shot lying on the deck, and all the various apparatus for destruction—­their fears increased.  When they had been conducted to their place of safety, Newton was about to return on deck, when he was seized by Miss Charlotte and Laura Revel, who entreated him not to leave them.