Fernando, as he ascended the path to the house, did not dream that he was heroic or fine-looking.
When he reached the house, he paused a moment on the piazza, just as he had on that evening five years before, to school his rebellious heart. To his knock a servant answered, and he was hurried up to the room of Captain Lane. At every corner he expected Morgianna; but she did not appear. Perhaps she was with her father; but no, the captain was alone.
"It's too bad, Captain Stevens," the old sea-dog declared. "Here I am with this infernal rheumatism holding me down like an anchor, when we are threatened with a squall."
"Don't trouble yourself, captain," said Fernando. "I fancy there are young men enough to fight our battles."
"But one likes to have a hand in such affairs, you know."
"Certainly, but don't worry yourself. The wind is still off shore, and the bay is so narrow that, unless they get out a warp, they cannot haul in the Xenophon."
"I have wondered they did not do that before," said the old sailor. "It could be done."
"Perhaps they have some other plan. They landed a hundred more men this morning."
"They can't be going to make a land attack."
"No, the land forces are to cut off retreat."