“Nay, sir,” said the ensign, in his ordinary voice and close in the ear of the speaker, “not as having been absent from duty, I trust.  I am not aware that I have ever missed a guard or a parade yet, without your leave.”

At the first sound of his voice, the surprised commandant had turned quickly round, and there encountered the usual deferential salute of his subordinate.

“But, Mr. Ronayne, what means this?  Where, sir, have you been? and, if not absent, why thus late?  Do you know that the men have already been paraded, and that when required for your guard, you were not to be found?”

“The fatigues of the night, Captain Headley,” returned the young officer, with some hesitation of manner; “the incessant watching—­surely there—­”

“I knew he had not been out of the Fort.  Courage, Maria! was audible to the men who were nearest to the speaker, from Elmsley’s doorway.

“I know what you would urge, Mr. Ronayne,” remarked the captain; you would offer this in plea for your late appearance.  I make all due allowance in the matter; but, let me tell you, sir, that an officer who thoroughly understands his duty, and consults the interests of the service, would make light of these matters, in cases of strong emergency.”

“Poor Ronayne!” sighed Maria, to her friend.  “This is terrible to his proud spirit.  In presence of the whole of the men, too!”

“I told you, my dear, there would be a row, but never fear—­Elmsley be there.  See, he is looking significantly at us, as if to call our attention to what is passing.”

The lieutenant had been no less astonished than the captain, at the unexpected appearance of Ronayne—­even more so, indeed—­because he had observed, without, however, remarking on it, the cool and unhastened pace at which he moved along the square, from the direction of the mess-room.  “Now it is coming,” he thought, and half-murmured to himself, as he saw the crimson gathering on his brow, during the last harsh address of his superior.

“Captain Headley,” said the young man, drawing himself up to his full height, and somewhat elevating his voice, for be had remarked there were other and dearer eyes upon him, than those immediately around.  “I will not be spoken to in this manner, before the men.  If you think I have been guilty of a breach of duty or of discipline, I am prepared to meet your charges before the proper tribunal, but you shall not take the liberty of thus addressing me in public parade.  My sword, sir,” and he unbuckled it, and offered the handle, “is at, your disposal, but I deny your further right.”

“No, no, no!” shouted several men from the ranks

“No. no, no!” repeated almost every man of the fishing-party, in even more energetic tones, while the commanding officer was glancing his eye keenly and rapidly along the little line, to detect those who had set the example of insubordination.