"Ah, that will be our friend Lord Westbrooke," he said, turning toward the gangway. "Show him to me if he comes on board." Elizabeth knelt by the side of the dying man, who had sunk into silence again, and bathed his head with her handkerchief, while the doctor applied some simple restorative. In a moment the stately form of the old admiral stepped through the gangway, and he looked about him in astonishment.
"God bless me, what a fight! I knew that rebel was a desperate man, but I never imagined anything like this! Captain Pearson?" said he, imperiously. "Where is he?"
"Here, my Lord," said Pearson, mournfully, coming out of the cabin, where he had withdrawn a little.
"I congratulate you, sir, on--" "Stop, sir!" cried the captain, in great agony. "You do not understand. This ship--we were not successful."
"What!" cried the admiral. "Is not this the Serapis?"
"Ay, but she belongs--"
"To the Navy of the United States, sir," said a calm voice at his elbow, which made him start; "and she is now commanded by Captain John Paul Jones, at your service. I shall be glad to supply you with a yard-arm, if you have need of one, my Lord--"
"Good God!" said the old man, turning to Jones. "And the Richard?"
"We sunk her, sir," answered Pearson, "but it was useless."
"You have done well, Captain Pearson," said the admiral. "Here is evidence of the fight you made. Never fear; you shall receive reward. 'Twas a defeat as noble as a capture."