"What did you strike the man for? He did you no harm."

"He was out of his place. What business had he to come aft?
One must keep these wretches down, my girl."

"Or they will be too much for you, eh? Do you think one man
could capture a ship, Mr. Maurice?"

"No, but one hundred might."

"Nonsense! What could they do against the soldiers? There are
fifty soldiers."

"So there are, but--"

"But what?"

"Well, never mind. It's against the rules, and I won't have it."

"'Not according to the King's Regulations,' as Captain Vickers would say."

Frere laughed at her imitation of his pompous captain.

"You are a strange girl; I can't make you out. Come," and he took her hand,
"tell me what you are really."

"Will you promise not to tell?"

"Of course."