"Thank God!" answered O'Neill, fervently. "And Captain Jones?"
"Aft there on the quarter-deck."
"Come, Elizabeth," he cried, seizing her by the arm; and, he assisting her, they made their way with difficulty, in the confusion, to the quarter-deck.
"Ah, O'Neill, thank God I see you alive again!" said Jones, springing forward, his face beaming. "We got there in time, then, I see."
"Yes, sir, thanks to this lady," answered O'Neill, pointing to Elizabeth.
"Madam, you are fit for a sailor's bride," said the little captain.
"'Tis high praise, sir, from Captain Jones, I protest," she answered, rallying herself in the relief of assured safety.
"Would God that I had been with you in this battle!" cried O'Neill, gloomily.
"We missed you. I wished often for you," answered the captain. "The poor old Richard was torn to pieces under our feet. We could not stay on her longer, so we had to come here."
"And I not there! I suppose that I have forfeited everything forever for going up to the castle. Shall you break me, sir?"