"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.