"It was my own hand that struck the blow," answered Jones. "Would it had been otherwise! There was a moment in the action when they sprang to board. He leaped upon the rail, cutlass in hand; he was a fair and easy mark; I met them with a pike, which I buried in his bosom. He fell back smiling. I remember that I thought it strange to see him smiling at that time, even in the heat of the battle--too bad--too bad!" he said.
"Oh, Edward!" cried the girl, tears streaming down her face, "I never thought to see you thus! I never meant to bring you to this! If you could but speak to me--to say that you forgave me for it all! If I could have your blessing before--" The man stirred a little and opened his eyes. He looked about him vacantly, but consciousness began to dawn again, and with the dawn came recognition. It was the face of Elizabeth bending over him. She was the woman whom he loved. There, back of her, was O'Neill. He began to comprehend.
"Elizabeth," he murmured, "my death--not in vain--then."
"Forgive me--forgive me," she cried brokenly. "Oh, forgive me! I did love you!"
"Yes," he said, faintly smiling; "but--not like--" He glanced at O'Neill. "You, too!" he murmured; "make--her--happy." His mind wandered a little. "Father," he cried suddenly, "don't look at me in that way! I did it because I loved her; her happiness before mine."
"Oh, doctor, can nothing be done; is there no hope?" cried O'Neill to the attending surgeon.
"Nothing, sir. 'Twill not be long now," answered the surgeon, shaking his head.
CHAPTER XXIV
"There's a boat comin' alongside, sir," said a midshipman to Captain Jones, "flying an admiral's flag."