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"Brig Princess Augusta, seven days out from Kingston. My name's Stanton."

"Post Office packet, Captain Stanton?"

"Yes."

"Whither bound?"

"Halifax."

Letters for the British troops in Canada, then. The capture was doubly important.

"And what ship is this?" asked the British captain in his turn.

"United States ship Delaware."

There was no need to say whence or whither--this prisoner might be recaptured.

"I didn't guess you were a Yankee until it was too late," said the British captain bitterly. "There aren't so many Yankee frigates at sea nowadays."

The Delaware was the only one, as far as Peabody knew, unless Decatur had managed to escape from New London.

"I hope my broadside did not do too much damage," said Peabody.

"Four killed and seven wounded--two of 'em mortal, I think."

Washington came back into the cabin and spread a cloth on the table. He had brought an appetising-looking tray, but the British captain waved away the food which Peabody offered.

"No, thank you," he said. "I've no appetite for food."