“Who is it at the hall?” asked Jones of the old servant.
“Only the countess, sir,” replied the bewildered old man.
“Do you hear?” and the Ranger’s commander wheeled upon his officers with stormy eyes. “There is only a helpless woman then at the house. Are my ship’s company to turn buccaneers, indeed?”
“It is all very well for you to hold your high notions,” said Lieutenant Simpson with something like a sneer, “but the officers of the Ranger sailed in her for profit. And as here is an excellent chance for booty, I am for seizing it.”
“If you sail for glory, Captain Jones,” said Hall, “very well. Patriotism is a very good thing; but plunder is not so bad.”
There was a murmur of assent from the boats’ crews; the continued insubordination of these two officers during the voyage had spoiled the men of the Ranger; there had been times when only the utmost firmness had prevented a mutiny.
“The cruise of the Ranger has not been as fortunate as we could wish,” remarked Simpson, “and now that this little chance for plunder presents itself we have no desire to see it slip by.”
“Nor the crew either,” said Hall, meaningly. And the men shot frowning glances at their captain.
The latter’s face was white with anger and his hand clutched the pistol in his belt. Ethan and Longsword stepped to his side with weapons ready in case of need; the commander gave them a quick look of thanks. But a moment had served to change his mind. To shoot down Simpson and Hall would only bring on a bloody and unnecessary encounter, and the loss of the Ranger to the cause of freedom might result. So the captain’s hand dropped away from his pistol butt, and he said in an icy voice:
“You do this thing against my will. I want that understood; and both of you will answer for it before a naval board.”
“If you are so very particular about the matter,” said Simpson, “why, when the booty is appraised by the prize court, you can buy it in and return it to the noble earl if you so desire.”
“I thank you for the suggestion,” said the captain, coldly, “and I will act upon it.”
They stared at him in silence for a moment; then Hall asked:
“Have we then your permission to proceed, sir?”
“You have both announced your determination to do as you like,” said Paul Jones, bitterly, “and I will raise no hand to prevent you carrying out your plans. But the responsibility shall be your own; I will have no hand in the affair.”
