37. CHAPTER XXXVII.
LORD SLYSIR IN CAPTIVITY.
While the party at the mansion were still sitting on the
balcony, Captain Bim made his appearance in the lawn below,
reporting what he had done, as in duty bound, to his superior
officer, Major Milnor, and to Alice.
“I propose,” said Lord Slysir, “being the captive of the
President's daughter. And if she will permit me to repose
my bruised body in a soft chair beside Mr. Langdon's, I
pledge my word not to escape.”
“And I think you may trust him, Miss Alice,” said Bim,
“for I have been obliged to help him along every step since
we left the boat.”
“Assist him up the stairway, Sergeant —”
“Captain, if you please, Miss Alice,” said Bim. “The
President, your father, promoted me on the field of battle.”
“Then I am sure it was for meritorious conduct, and I
am rejoiced at it.”
“Thank you, Miss,” said Bim, bowing rather awkwardly,
but it was too dark to perceive it. “Now, fellow Blue
Caps,” said he, addressing his comrades standing near,
“guard Popoli till I return.” Then encircling his Lordship
with his gigantic arms, he lifted him with perfect ease, and
carried him to the balcony. A chair being in readiness, he
placed him in it tenderly. “Good-bye, sir!” said he,
shaking hands with his Lordship; “you will be safe in this
place.”
“Farewell, my friend!” said Slysir, heartily. “You are
a little rough, sometimes, but really a true man. I am
much indebted to you for your generous care. Wear my
watch in token of my gratitude.”
“No, sir—I mean my Lord. I might lose it—it might
get sunk with my body. And, besides, officers of the
United States, it seems to me, are not allowed to accept
presents from foreign powers. Good night—I must hurry
back!”
“Do you return, Captain?” asked Alice.
“Oh, yes; my leave's not up yet. You promised me
five days.”
“Then say to my father—”
“Pardon me for interrupting you, Miss, but I do not return
to Jersey. They will all be here soon, if the British
don't whip us. Your father's magnificent cavalry are all
over, and browsing in the flats down yonder; and they are
as ravenous as wolves. Not a spear of grass could they get
in Jersey—it was all dry sand, except where the blood
moistened it. Farewell! I'm in for another fight before
morning!”
“Another battle?”
“Yes, indeed. I've promised the Commodore. I've
fought every sort of an enemy but the British. The battle
will begin very soon, by starlight. But the Commodore
says there will be plenty of light—for he intends to pour
hot shot into the Vesuvius—”
“What's that?” exclaimed Lord Slysir.
“All the furnaces are in full blast, and we intend to shoot
red-hot balls.”
“Tell Commodore Stout that such a mode of warfare is
not tolerated among Christian nations. I protest against it!”
“I'll tell him, sir; but I don't think he'll hear me. I
thought all was fair in war. We fight on our own grounds,
sir—or rather in our own waters; and if Admiral Bang—
bang! there goes the signal gun!—don't like it, why don't
he turn tail and run away?” A few minutes after, and Bim
was rowing towards the Wabash. Popoli, in chains, was
confined in the barracks.
