Affairs of this sort exact all the discipline and resolution that a well-regulated service can afford; and are not to be thought of under the temporary demoralization of defeat.

All in the lugger, therefore, considered this collision with the Proserpine at an end, for the moment at least.
Ghita had dined, for the day had now turned some time, and the girl had come on deck to escape the confinement of a very small cabin, leaving her uncle to enjoy his customary _siesta_.

She was seated under the awning of the quarter-deck, using her needle, as was her wont at that hour on the heights of Argentaro.

Raoul had placed himself on a gunslide near her, and Ithuel was busy within a few feet of them, dissecting a spy-glass, with a view to clean its lenses.
"I suppose the most excellent Andrea Barrofaldi will sing a Te Deum for his escape from our fangs," suddenly exclaimed Raoul, laughing.
"_Pardie!_ he is a great historian and every way fit to write an account of this glorious victory, which Monsieur l'Anglais, _la bas_, is about to send to his government!" "And you, Raoul, have no occasion for a Te Deum after your escape ?" demanded Ghita, gently, and yet with emphasis.

"Is there no God for you to thank, as well as for the vice-governatore ?" "_Peste!_--our French deity is little thought of just now, Ghita.
Republics, as you know, have no great faith in religion--is it not so, _mon brave Americain ?_ Tell us, Etooel; have you any religion in America ?" As Ithuel had often heard Raoul's opinions on this subject and knew the prevailing state of France in this particular, he neither felt nor expressed any surprise at the question.