“Good news!” cried he, “good news! You will never guess what the Captain has proposed to me. A very noble young man he is. Now try.”
“Ah!” replied Jenny, whose heart beat violently, “has he proposed to—”
“To deliver Mr. Halliburtt, to carry him off from the Confederates, and bring him to England.”
“Is it true?” cried Jenny.
“It is, as I say, miss. What a good-hearted man this James Playfair is! These English are either all good or all bad. Ah! he may reckon on my gratitude, and I am ready to cut myself in pieces if it would please him.”
Jenny’s joy was profound on hearing Crockston’s words. Deliver her father! she had never dared to think of such a plan, and the Captain of the “Dolphin” was going to risk his ship and crew!
“That’s what he is,” added Crockston; “and this, Miss Jenny, is well worth an acknowledgment from you.”
“More than an acknowledgment,” cried the young girl; “a lasting friendship!”
And immediately she left the cabin to find James Playfair, and express to him the sentiments which flowed from her heart.
“Getting on by degrees,” muttered the American.