David Downes was outside, peering through an open port, for he knew that the concert was no place for a _Roanoke_ "hero." He could not hear all that the captain of the _Pilgrim_ had to say, but the ship-master's manner told the story. The cadet had a glimpse of Margaret sitting in a far corner of the great room. She clapped her hands when her grandfather was done speaking, and there was the same proud independence in the poise of her head. David sighed, and as he turned away bumped into the lone seaman of the _Pilgrim_ who had been gazing over his shoulder.