“Perhaps you know not the extent of my object, Captain Heidegger,” he said; “it embraced the forfeit of your life, and the destruction, or dispersion, of your crew.”

“According to the established usages of that portion of the world which, having the power, oppresses the remainder, it did.  Go, sir; rejoin your proper ship; I repeat, you are free.”

“I cannot leave you, Captain Heidegger without one word of justification.”

“What! can the hunted, denounced, and condemned freebooter command an explanation!  Is even his good opinion necessary to a virtuous servant of the Crown!”

“Use such terms of triumph and reproach as suit your pleasure, sir,” returned the other, reddening to the temples as he spoke; “to me your language can now convey no offence; still would I not leave you without removing part of the odium which you think I merit.”

“Speak freely.  Sir, you are my guest.”

Although the most cutting revilings could not have wounded the repentant Wilder so deeply as this generous conduct, he so far subdued his feelings as to continue,—­

“You are not now to learn,” he said, “that vulgar rumour has given a colour to your conduct and character which is not of a quality to command the esteem of men.”

“You may find leisure to deepen the tints,” hastily interrupted his listener, though the emotion which trembled in his voice plainly denoted how deeply he felt the wound which was given by a world he affected to despise.

“If called upon to speak at all, my words shall be those of truth, Captain Heidegger.  But is it surprising, that, filled with the ardour of a service that you once thought honourable yourself, I should be found willing to risk life, and even to play the hypocrite in order to achieve an object that would not only have been rewarded, but approved, had it been successful?  With such sentiments I embarked on the enterprise; but, as Heaven is my judge, your manly confidence had half disarmed me before my foot had hardly crossed your threshold.”

“And yet you turned not back?”

“There might have been powerful reasons to the contrary,” resumed the defendant, unconsciously glancing his eyes at the females as he spoke.  “I kept my faith at Newport; and, had my two followers then been released from your ship, foot of mine should never have entered her again,”

“Young man, I am willing to believe you.  I think I penetrate your motives.  You have played a delicate game; and, instead of repining, you will one day rejoice that it has been fruitless.  Go, sir; a boal shall attend you to the ’Dart’.”

“Deceive not yourself, Captain Heidegger, in believing that any generosity of yours can shut my eyes to my proper duty.  The instant I am seen by the Commander of the ship you name, your character will be betrayed.”

“I expect it.”

“Nor will my hand be idle in the struggle that must follow.  I may die, here, a victim to my mistake if you please; but, the moment I am released, I become your enemy.”