"What is the meaning of this?" he shouted. "Who has dared to interfere in this manner?"
"I, sir," replied Coventry, fearlessly, looking up from his place by the unconscious man.
"And by what right, sir?" cried the enraged captain. "Though you be the son of the admiral, you shall dearly rue this unwarranted assumption of authority. What excuse have you to offer for interrupting the sentence of a court-martial? What reason can you urge for your presumption?"
"Boat ahoy!" cried a seaman stationed at the port gangway.
"Sir," said Coventry, quietly meeting the eye of the thoroughly infuriated captain, "if I mistake not, you will find my excuse in that boat."
"Well for you, sir, if it be there! Never, in my twenty years of service, have I been so braved, and on my own ship, too. See what boat it is," said the captain, turning to one of his midshipmen, "and find out what is wanted." The lad came running back presently, and saluted.
"'Tis a lady, sir,--the governor's ward,--Lady Elizabeth Howard; she wishes to come on board," he said.
"Lady Elizabeth Howard! This is no place for women; this man is still to be hanged. What can she wish?" exclaimed the captain, frowning.
"Receive her at once, sir, I beg," said Coventry. "She has a paper,--my excuse, sir," he added, smiling.
"Show her on board," said the captain, shortly, to the midshipman. Then he looked down on the still, unconscious form of O'Neill. "Send a surgeon here at once, sir," he continued; and as the latter presented himself, "Is the man dead?" he asked.