“Try again,” said Lady O’Hara; and Nic looked at her sharply, her voice was so changed.
But he raised the glass once more, and this time brought it steadily to bear upon the boat rowed by the man-of-war’s men.
“Now, Nic, tell me what you see,” said Lady O’Hara. “Some soldiers with muskets and bayonets. I can see the scarlet quite plain.”
“Yes, yes: the marines. What else?”
“There’s an officer just in front of the flag.”
“One officer?”
“Stop a minute. Yes, there’s another: he seems to me a bigger man.”
“Look—look again.”
“It’s so far off that I can’t quite make out, and the glass won’t keep steady; but I think he has a big white beard. Yes, and he has taken off his hat. His head is white.”
Lady O’Hara half closed her eyes, and the captain, who was near, saw that a smile came upon her lip.