“God grant he be!” I replied, and never did I speak more fervently; the words were, in reality, a prayer. Then, coming back to the thought which had been near to a hope, I added, “We are counting on a battle to-morrow as if there could be no question about it, and yet what grounds have we for believing that the Britishers will venture out of Malden harbor?”
“Oliver says they will,” Alec replied, and as against such profound faith I could say no more.
We paced to and fro until nearly daybreak, and then the commodore came on deck, looking weak and worn from the ravages of the fever; but with a sparkle of the eyes which I could see plainly even in the darkness.
He threw one arm around Alec’s neck, and held out a hand for me to clasp.
“What are you two lads doing on deck at this hour, when you should be in your hammocks gaining rest and strength against the work of this coming day?”
“Then you really believe we shall at last face the Britishers?” Alec asked, caressing his brother’s hand.
“Ay, lad; for if Commodore Barclay refuses to come out, it is decided that we shall go in after him.”
“And am I to serve on Master Boyd’s gun, or will you permit that I stand by your side?”
“Remain at the station to which you have been assigned, dear lad. My choice would be to have you close by me; but every hand is needed, and I am certain you and Richard will count as men during the engagement.”
I tried in vain to make a fitting reply, but the words refused to come when most needed, and it was possible only to press his hand warmly in token of my good intentions; yet at the same time there was a terrible fear in my heart lest at the critical moment I might show myself a coward.