His story died out: he became completely absorbed in watching sidelong the effect of his bravado on the captain.

“Did what?” asked Margaret.

“Ran ’em aground.”

“But what did they let him steer for?” asked Edward. “They might have known he couldn’t!”

“Edward! How dare you talk about a Bishop in that rude way!” admonished Rachel.

“It wasn’t the steamer he ran aground, sonny,” said the mate: “it was a poor innocent little devil of a pirate craft, that was just beating up for the Boca Grande in a northerly breeze.”

“Good for him!” said Edward. “How did he do it?”