Page:Works of Jules Verne - Parke - Vol 7.djvu/158

138 ise you, Miss Jenny, that the Dolphin shall not leave Charleston without your father."

"Thank you, Mr. James; thank you with all my heart."

James Playfair felt a thrill of joy through his whole being. He approached the young girl with moist eyes and quivering lips; perhaps he was going to make an avowal of the sentiments he could no longer repress, when Crockston interfered. "This is no time for grieving," said he; "we must go to work, and consider what to do."

"Have you any plan, Crockston?" asked the girl.

"I always have a plan," replied the American: "it is my peculiarity."

"But a good one?" said James Playfair.

"Excellent! and all the ministers in Washington could not devise a better; it is almost as good as if Mr. Halliburtt was already on board."

Crockston spoke with such perfect assurance, at the same time with such simplicity, that it must have been the most incredulous person who could doubt his words.

"We are listening, Crockston," said James Playfair.

"Good! You, captain, will go to General Beauregard, and ask a favor of him which he will not refuse you."

"And what is that?"

"You will tell him that you have on board a tiresome subject, a scamp who has been very troublesome during the voyage, and excited the crew to revolt. You will ask of him permission to shut him up in the citadel; at the same time on the condition that he shall return to the ship on her departure, in order to be taken back to England, to be delivered over to the justice of his country."

"Good!" said James Playfair, half smiling, "I will do all that, and Beauregard will grant my request very willingly."

"I am perfectly sure of it," replied the American.

"But," resumed Playfair, one thing is wanting."

"What is that?"

"The scamp."

"He is before you, captain."

"What, the rebellious subject"

"Is myself; don't trouble yourself about that."

"Oh! you brave, generous heart," cried Jenny, pressing his rough hands between her small white palms.