"Ay," said Captain Jones, "I can bear witness to the desperate nature of the resistance. 'Twas such as I have never met before in twenty battles on the sea."
"Pearson--my--my--son--" said the admiral, huskily. "How did he bear himself in the fight?"
"Well and nobly, sir, as I can testify," added Pearson.
"I, too," said Jones,--"I saw him. 'Twas he who led your boarders, Captain Pearson, when they tried to sweep our decks."
"And is he well?" said the old admiral, striving to school himself into composure. "That charge, you know, Pearson; I think we need not press it now?" he added.
"No, not now, nor ever, sir," said Pearson, mournfully. "Compose yourself, my dear admiral; he--"
"I am a veteran," said the admiral. "I have looked death in the face for fifty years. Speak plainly. You would say that he is dead."
"Not yet, sir," answered Jones, gently.
"Where is he? Take me to him!"
"He lies aft there on the quarter-deck, sir."