"That's what I'm praying right now he'll do!" cried Dave Darrin, his face radiant with the glory of the thought.
CHAPTER XI
A VICTIM OF COURTESY
"And what about the woman we have on board?" demanded the ober-lieutenant, hurriedly. "Would you destroy her, too—cause her, if you could, to die the death of drowning helplessly?"
"I—I had forgotten her," Dave confessed.
But from the passageway came a prompt response.
"Never mind me," called Mrs. Launce. "I have heard, and I, also, pray to see this pirate craft destroyed before it can accomplish any more wickedness and destruction. My own death does not matter!"
"Silence, woman!" cried the ober-lieutenant, glaring at Mrs. Launce.
"Mrs. Launce has spoken, and has no more to say," broke in the unruffled voice of Caleb Launce.