"How?"
"By the duel. Lieutenant Matson is an old friend of the captain, and I believe a suitor for the hand of his daughter. What show has a schoolboy against a lieutenant in the English navy?--none."
"Yes he has," declared Terrence.
"What show can he have?"
"Lave it all to me, me frind, and I will bring ye out all right, see if I don't."
"I have left too many things to you, Terrence, and you have a most remarkable faculty for getting me into trouble."
Terrence assured him that he would yet aid him to outgeneral the Englishman, and he only wished that he might come into port during their stay.
"Terrence, you must take no advantage of the public hatred of the English to accomplish your purpose. Remember, Lieutenant Matson is the son of Captain Lane's friend. You might raise a mob and have him driven away; but I will not consent to it."
"Indade, I don't mane it, me boy. Lave it to me. If he comes ashore, faith, we'll out-gineral him, sure."
Next day there came letters for the runaways. Terrence's father, being wealthy and influential, had gone to Baltimore, interceded with the faculty and had the runaway scapegraces retained. There were also letters from the parents of the young men, condemning, but at the time forgiving and warning them to be more careful in the future.