A pair of soft, dark eyes were fixed on them from a door which was slightly ajar, and even the darkness seemed lighter from the glow of golden hair. The lieutenant's back was toward this room, and he did not see the beautiful, anxious face and roguish eyes. Lieutenant Matson, after a brief silence, said:
"Captain Lane, I am come on a matter of business in which friendship and regard are mingled. Believe me that, had it not been for my great esteem for yourself and Morgianna, I should have sent an under officer with my message instead of bringing it myself."
Captain Lane bowed and hoped that Lieutenant Matson would not allow friendship to stand in the way of duty. Lieutenant Matson continued:
"First, I have come, captain, to demand of you the surrender of this post,--that is, of all the government stores in it, assuring you that private property shall not be molested, and the men in arms shall be treated as prisoners of war."
Without a moment's hesitation, the old sea captain answered:
"I refuse to comply with your demand."
"Surely, Captain Lane, you must know that you cannot hope to resist the Xenophon. Her heavy guns will soon batter down your walls and destroy your houses."
"When that is done, it will be time enough to think of surrendering."
"Surely you do not know that Washington is burned and Baltimore surrounded. All night long the fleet bombarded the town."
"Yes, we could hear the roar of cannon even here."