“But what can you do?”
“Stand by the repel, I guess,” was the calm reply. “I told you that they had most of the ammunition, but ours ain't all blank cartridges. You stay below and listen to the broadsides.”
They heard Georgianna cross the dining room. There was a murmur of voices at the door. The captain nodded.
“It's them,” he said. “Well, here goes. Now don't you show yourself.”
“Do you think I am afraid? Indeed, I shan't stay 'below' as you call it! I shall let them see—”
Captain Cy held up his hand.
“I'm commodore of this fleet,” he said; “and that bein' the case, I expect my crew to obey orders. There's nothin' you can do, and—Why, yes! there is, too. You can take care of Bos'n. Georgianna,” to the housekeeper who, looking frightened and nervous, had appeared at the door, “send Bos'n in here quick.”
“They're there,” whispered Georgianna. “Mr. Atkins and Tad and that Thomas critter, and lots more. And they've come after her. What shall we do?”
“Jump when I speak to you, that's the first thing. Send Bos'n in here and you stay in your galley.”
Emily came running. Miss Dawes put an arm about her. Captain Cy, the battle lanterns still twinkling under his brows, stepped forth to meet the “boarding party.”