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diff --git a/23892-0.txt b/23892-0.txt index 9a77aed..8c47cd3 100644 --- a/23892-0.txt +++ b/23892-0.txt @@ -1,30 +1,4 @@ - CARRIED OFF - - - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Carried Off - A Story of Pirate Times - -Author: Esmè Stuart - -Release Date: August 06, 2012 [EBook #23892] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CARRIED OFF *** - - - +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 23892 *** Produced by Al Haines. @@ -6840,376 +6814,4 @@ THE STORY OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d. 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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Carried Off - A Story of Pirate Times - -Author: Esm Stuart - -Release Date: August 06, 2012 [EBook #23892] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CARRIED OFF *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - -[Illustration: Cover] - - - -[Illustration: "_HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP._" p. 12] - - - - - CARRIED OFF - - _A STORY OF PIRATE TIMES_ - - - BY - ESM STUART - - - AUTHOR OF 'FOR HALF-A-CROWN' 'THE LAST HOPE' - 'THE WHITE CHAPEL' ETC. - - - - _WITH FOUR FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS_ - - - - - LONDON - NATIONAL SOCIETY'S DEPOSITORY - BROAD SANCTUARY, WESTMINSTER - NEW YORK: THOMAS WHITTAKER, 2 & 3 BIBLE HOUSE - 1888 - - - - - _TO_ - _CLARISSA AND JOHN_ - - -_I dedicate this story, knowing they are already fond of travelling. -They may be glad to hear that the chief events in it are true, and are -taken out of an old book written more than two hundred years ago. Yet -they may now safely visit the West Indies without fear of being made -prisoners by the much dreaded Buccaneers._ - -_E.S._ - - - - [_All rights reserved_] - - - - - CONTENTS - -CHAPTER - - - I. THE SACRIFICE - II. CAPTURED - III. A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND - IV. THE PIRATES ARE COMING - V. THE SCOUTS - VI. HATCHING A PLOT - VII. TREACHERY - VIII. A BRAVE DEFENCE - IX. IMPRISONED - X. A FELLOW-COUNTRYMAN - XI. THE SECRET PASSAGE - XII. A NEW EXPEDITION - XIII. THE ESCAPE - XIV. DEFENCE TILL DEATH - XV. IN THE WOODS - XVI. WAITING FOR LUCK - XVII. DISCOVERED - XVIII. HUNTING A FUGITIVE - XIX. IN A LONELY SPOT - XX. SAVED - XXI. A BAG OF GOLD - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - -'HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP' - -CARLO REFUSED ADMISSION (missing from book) - -CARLO BEFORE CAPTAIN MORGAN - -'SHALL WE LAND?' (missing from book) - - - - - CARRIED OFF. - - - - CHAPTER I. - - THE SACRIFICE. - - -It was a beautiful warm spring evening, and as the sun sank slowly in -the west it illuminated with quivering golden light the calm waters that -surrounded green, marshy Canvey Island, which lies opposite South -Benfleet, in the estuary of the Thames. - -Harry Fenn had just come out of church, and, as was often his wont, he -ran up a slight hill, and, shading his eyes, looked intently out towards -Canvey and then yet more to his left, where Father Thames clasps hands -with the ocean. - -The eminence on which young fair-haired Harry stood was the site of a -strong castle, built long ago by Hsten, the Danish rover, in which he -stowed away Saxon spoil and Saxon prisoners, till King Alfred came down -upon him, pulled down the rover's fortress, seized his wife and his two -sons, and relieved the neighbourhood of this Danish scourge. How often, -indeed, had the peaceful inhabitants trembled at the sight of the sea -robber's narrow war-vessels creeping up the creek in search of plunder! - -Harry, however, was not thinking of those ancient days; his whole soul -and mind was in the present, in vague longings for action; full, too, of -young inquisitiveness as to the future, especially his own future, so -that he forgot why he had come to this spot, and did not even hear the -approach of the Rev. Mr. Aylett, who, having been listening to a tale of -distress from one of his parishioners at the end of the evening service, -had now come to enjoy the view from Hsten's hill. As he walked slowly -towards the immovable form of the boy, he could not help being struck by -the lad's graceful outline; the lithe, yet strongly built figure, the -well-balanced head, now thrown back as the eyes sought the distant -horizon; whilst the curly fair locks appeared to have been dashed -impatiently aside, and now were just slightly lifted by the evening -breeze; for Harry Fenn held his cap in his hand as he folded his arms -across his chest. He might have stood for the model of a young Apollo -had any artist been by, but art and artists were unknown things in South -Benfleet at that time. - -Mr. Aylett shook his head as he walked towards the lad, even though a -smile of pleasure parted his lips as he noted the comeliness of his -young parishioner, whom he now addressed. - -'Well, Harry, my boy, what may be the thoughts which are keeping you so -unusually still?' Harry started and blushed like a girl, and yet his -action was simple enough. - -'Indeed, sir, I did not hear you. I--I came here to have a look at our -cows down on the marsh. Father----' - -Mr. Aylett laughed good-humouredly. - -'Am I to believe that that earnest look is all on account of the cattle, -Harry?' Harry felt at this moment as if he had told a lie, and had been -found out by Mr. Aylett, who was so good and clever that he could -almost, nay, sometimes did, tell one's thoughts. - -'No, sir;' then, with a winning smile, the lad added, 'in truth I had -forgotten all about the cattle. I was dreaming of----' - -'Of the future, Harry. Listen, did not those same thoughts run thus? -That it is dull work staying at home on the farm; that some of thy -relations in past days had famous times in our civil wars, and went to -battle and fought for the King, and that some even had been settlers in -the old days of Queen Bess, and that, when all is said and done, it -wants a great deal of self-denial to stay as thou art now doing, -cheering the declining years of thy good father and mother. Some such -thought I fancied I could read in your face, boy, when singing in the -choir just now. Was it so? I would have you use candour with me.' - -Harry turned his cap round and round slowly in his hands. Mr. Aylett -was certainly a diviner of thoughts; but Harry was far too honest, and -of too good principle, to deny the truth. It was his honesty, as well -as his pluck and courage, that made him so dear to the clergyman, who -had taught the boy a great deal more learning than usually fell to the -lot of a yeoman's son in those days, even though Mr. Fenn farmed his own -land, was well-to-do, and could, had he so willed, have sent his son to -Oxford; but he himself had been reared on Pitsea Farm, had married -there, and there he had watched his little ones carried to the grave, -all but Harry. Yes, Harry was his all, his mother's darling, his -father's pride; the parson was welcome to teach him his duty to his -Church, his King and his country, and what more he liked, but no one -must part the yeoman from his only child. - -And Harry knew this, and yet often and often his soul was moved with -that terribly strong desire for change and for a larger horizon, which, -so long as the world lasts, will take possession of high-spirited boys. -However, the lad was as good as he was brave; he knew that he must crush -down his desire, or at least that he must not show it to his parents; -but he did not try to resist the pleasure of indulging in thoughts of a -larger life, thoughts which Mr. Aylett guessed very easily, but which -would have made his father's hair stand on end. This evening Mr. -Aylett's face looked so kind that Harry's boyish reserve gave way, and -with rising colour he exclaimed: - -'Oh, sir, I can't deny it; it is all true, that, and much more; just now -I had such dreadful thoughts. I felt that I must go out yonder, away and -away, and learn what the world is like; I felt that even father's sorrow -and mother's tears would not grieve me much, and that I must break loose -from here or die. I know it was wicked, and I will conquer the feeling, -but it seems as if the devil himself tempts me to forget my duty; and -worse,' added poor Harry, who having begun his confession thought he -would make a clean breast of it, 'I feel as if I must go straight to my -father and tell him I will not spend my life in minding cattle and -seeing after the labourers, and that after telling him, I would work my -way out into the big world without asking him for a penny. Sir, would -that be possible?' - -Harry looked up with trembling eagerness, as if on this one frail chance -of Mr. Aylett's agreement depended his life's happiness; but the -clergyman did not give him a moment's hope. - -'No, Harry, that is not possible, my lad. You are an only child. On -you depends the happiness of your parents. This sacrifice is asked of -you by God, and is it too hard a matter to give up your own will? Look -you, my dear Harry, I am not over-blaming you, nor am I thinking that -the crushing of this desire is not a difficult matter, but we who lived -through the late troublous times see farther than young heads, who are -easily persuaded to cozen their conscience according to their wishes. -And if you travelled, Harry, temptations and trials would follow too, -and be but troublesome companions; and further, there would be always a -worm gnawing at your heart when you thought of the childless old folks -at home. Believe me, Harry, even out in "the golden yonder," as some -one calls it, you would not find what you expect; there would be no joy -for you who had deprived those dependent on you of it. Take my advice, -boy, wait for God's own good time, and do not fall into strong distemper -of mind.' - -Mr. Aylett paused and put a kind hand on the boy's shoulder. Harry did -not answer at once, but slowly his eyes turned away from the waters and -the golden sun, slowly they were bent upon the marshes where the cattle -were grazing, and then nearer yet to where Pitsea Manor Farm raised its -head above a plantation of elms and oaks. Then a great struggle went on -in the boy's mind; he remembered he was but sixteen years old, and that -many a year must most likely elapse before he became the owner of Pitsea -Farm and could do as he pleased, and that those years must be filled -with dull routine labour, where little room was left for any adventure -beyond fishing in the creek, or going over to Canvey Island to watch -when the high waves broke over the new embankments made by Joas -Croppenburg, the Dutchman, whose son still owned a third of the rich -marshland of the island as a recompense for his father's sea walls. But -young Joas used to tell tales of great Dutch sea fights and exploits, -which, if Harry made the sacrifice Mr. Aylett was asking him to make, -would but probe the wound of his desire, and so Croppenburg's stories -must also be given up. - -Harry's courage, however, was not merely nominal, it was of the right -sort. The sacrifice he was asked to make was none the less great -because it was one not seen of men. He was to give up his will, the -hardest thing a man or a boy can do; but it needed only Mr. Aylett's -firm answer to show Harry that his duty was very plain, and that God -required this of him. - -It was like taking a plunge into cold water, where it is the first -resolution that is the worst part of the action; suddenly, with a quick -lifting of his head, and a new hopeful light in his blue eyes very -different from the unsatisfied longing gaze of ten minutes ago, Harry -spoke, and as he did so his clenched hands and his whole demeanour told -plainly that the boy meant what he said. - -'I will give it up, sir; as it is, the wishing brings me no happiness, -so I will even put the wishing to flight.' - -Mr. Aylett grasped the lad's hand warmly. - -'God bless you, Harry, you are a brave fellow. I am proud of you. Come -to me to-morrow, and I will show you a new book a friend has sent me; -or, better, walk back with me to the Vicarage.' - -'I would willingly, sir,' said Harry quietly, 'but father bade me go to -the meadow and see if White Star should be driven in under shelter -to-night. Our man Fiske has met with an accident, so I promised to see -after White Star before sundown. She was a little sick this morning.' - -'To-morrow will do well enough,' said Mr. Aylett, glad to see that Harry -was beginning already to turn his mind steadily to home matters, 'and if -you have time we will go to St. Catherine's Church on Canvey. There is -a young clergyman come there to see if he will accept the cure, and I -know you will row me over.' Harry promised gladly, and then Mr. Aylett -with another shake of the hand turned his face homeward. When he was -gone Harry flung himself on the ground to think over the promise he had -just given. He would--yes, he would keep his word. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - CAPTURED. - - -How long he lay there, Harry never could recollect afterwards, but -feeling a chilliness creeping over him he suddenly remembered his duty. -He must make haste, for the sun was setting, and if White Star did not -seem to be better she must be led home from the damp marsh meadows that -bordered the water. Though Harry was feeling intensely sad, he had a -secret feeling of satisfaction at having conquered in a very hard -struggle, and this perhaps made him look more at the things he was -passing than, as he was wont to do, at the distant sea. This evening -everything was calm and quiet, both on the darkening waters and on the -green meadows. Harry noted a gate that needed repairing, and made up his -mind to tell his father that it must be seen to, or the cattle would be -straying; then he glanced at the little cart-horse foal that promised to -be a rival of its mother. The Pitsea Farm cart-horses were deservedly -famous, and Harry's father, George Fenn, was as good a breeder of horses -as he was a staunch Churchman and opposed to the Puritan element only -now quieting down. - -At last Harry reached the meadow where White Star was grazing and where -some thirty sheep were sharing the pasture. He went up to examine the -gentle creature, and she knew well enough the young master's voice and -touch, so that she hardly stopped chewing the cud to give him a kindly -stare. - -'White Star seems not so bad,' thought Harry. 'I'll tell father to give -her another day in the meadow, she is not too ill to enjoy this sweet -grass.' - -Harry had been so much engaged in attending to White Star that he did -not hear the soft splash of some oars at the bottom of the meadow he was -in, nor did he see that four strong, rough-looking men in seafaring -attire had quietly moored their long-boat to an old willow stump, and -that two of them were hastily scanning the sheep and cattle that were -only a few yards away. - -'Zounds!' muttered the first who stepped up the bank, 'what have we -here? a lad in this very field. I'faith, I saw no one from the creek.' - -'A mere sapling,' laughed the other, 'take no heed of him, and he will -soon take to his heels at the sight of us. Now, quick's the word, the -captain is impatient to be off with the tide.' - -In another instant the men had begun their work. They had come for the -purpose of carrying off some sheep and cattle, and having waited till -this late hour they had not expected to find a witness to their robbery. -Quietly and stealthily as they had landed, however, their intentions -could not be carried out without some disturbance, and Harry was first -made aware of their presence by the sudden helter-skelter of the sheep -and the immediate curiosity expressed by poor White Star, whose evening -meal was to be so violently disturbed. - -In a moment more Harry had seized the situation, which indeed it was not -difficult to do, as he now beheld one of his father's sheep suddenly -captured by the clever expedient of an extemporised lasso, and when the -poor animal had been dragged towards its captor the robber made short -work of tying his victim's legs together, and leaving it to bleat beside -him whilst he proceeded to capture another in the same manner, before -dragging them to the long-boat. - -All the fierce courage of the hardy yeoman's son rose to its height as -he beheld this daring robbery carried on under his very eyes. Nay, when -the strongest and foremost man began unconcernedly to make his way -towards White Star herself, the boy's indignation knew no bounds. - -'How now?' he cried indignantly. 'What do you mean, you rascals, by -coming here? this is our field and our cattle; away at once, and unloose -the sheep, or, by'r laykin! it will be worse for you. I will call for -help, and you will soon be treated in such a manner as you deserve.' - -This fierce speech had not, however, the desired effect. The man -laughed ironically as if Harry were a mere baby, and approaching White -Star he swiftly threw the lasso over the animal's sleek head. - -'Out of the way, young blusterer, or it will be the worse for thee. Our -master, the captain, requires these cattle to victual our ship before -sailing; come, off with thee! and don't halloo all the breath out of thy -body.' - -But Harry's blood was up. Enraged at the man's daring and effrontery, -he seized a stout stick from the hedge-row and sprang upon the intruder -with the fury of a young lion. He never considered the inequality of -the struggle or the folly of his engaging single-handed with a ruffian -of this description; he only thought of saving his father's property and -avenging the insult. Nor were his well-directed blows mere -make-believe, and as the man before him was suddenly aware of a sharp -stinging pain across his forehead, he let go the lasso and sprang on to -the boy with a fierce oath. - -[Illustration: "_HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP_"] - -'What, you young viper, you dare to strike me? Well, take that. Here, -Jim, this way, bring the rope here; I'll teach this churl to bethump -me.' - -As he spoke he wrenched away poor Harry's stick, and with a -well-directed blow he laid the boy on the ground. Harry felt a terrible -pain in his head, his brain seemed to reel; bright, blood-red flashes -blotted out the familiar fields, and then with a groan of pain he -stretched out his right arm to grasp at some support, after which he -remembered no more. - -The man appealed to as Jim had now run up, and laughed as he saw Harry -fall insensible on the dewy grass. - -'Bravo! the lad fell in fair fight, Joseph; but i'fecks! who would have -thought of seeing you engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with such a -stripling? Hast done for him, comrade?' he added with curiosity, in -which was mingled neither pity nor fear. And yet the sight of Harry -Fenn might have softened even a hard heart, one would have thought, as -he lay there in the twilight on the dewy grass, whilst a slow trickling -line of red blood fell from his forehead over his fair curling hair. - -'Here, make haste,' said the first man, whom his friend addressed as -Coxon, 'the captain's orders were that we must lose no time; there'll be -several more trips this evening, and he means to run down the Channel -before morning.' - -'Then we'd best not leave the lad here. What say you, Coxon, shall I -despatch him for fear of his waking up and telling tales before we -return?' - -Coxon looked down on the brave lad, and decided, he knew not why, to act -more mercifully. - -'Let him be, or wait--tie his legs and throw him in the long-boat; on -our ship he'll tell no tales, and when we cast anchor we can drop him -somewhere, or give him a seaman's burial if he's dead, for, to tell the -truth, it was a good whack that I dealt him. Now, Jim, quick, for fear -some of those land dolts come down upon us, and deafen us with their -complaints.' - -After this quick certainly was the word. Harry was tied, much after the -fashion of his own sheep, and cast with little ceremony into the -long-boat; further booty was secured, till no more could be carried -during this trip, and then, as silently as it had come, the boat was -rowed swiftly down the creek till they reached their destination, -namely, the good ship 'Scorpion,' a privateer bound for the West Indies, -after having lately made a very successful bargain with the cargo it had -safely brought home. - -How long Harry remained unconscious he never knew: when he came to -himself it was some time before he could collect any sequence in his -thoughts. He felt, however, that he was in a cramped and confined -place, and so put out his hands to make more room, as it were, for his -limbs; but he could give no explanation to himself of his whereabouts, -though he half realised that the night air was blowing in his face, and -that something like sea spray now and then seemed to be dashed on his -head. His hands were free, but what of his legs? He experienced a -sharp cutting pain above his ankles, and with some difficulty he reached -down to the seat of pain with one of his hands. Yes, there was a rope -tied round his legs; who had done this, and where was he? He remembered -standing on Hsten's mound looking longingly at the sea, and he also -recalled Mr. Aylett's words and his own fierce struggle against his -strong inclinations, and then--what had followed? - -Here for a long time his mind remained a blank, till a decided lurch -forced the conviction upon him that he was certainly in a ship, not on -the green marsh meadow at home. - -Home! He must make haste and get home; his father would wonder what -kept him so long, it was quite dark; how anxious his fond mother would -be. He must at once get rid of that horrid thing that prevented his -rising, and he must run as fast as he could back to Pitsea Farm. But -what of White Star? White Star, the meadow, the--the---- - -All at once the scene of his conflict flashed into his mind, and the -awful truth burst upon him. He was a prisoner in some enemy's ship--or -could it be in one of those dreadful privateers, whose ravages were -often spoken of, and whom Mr. Aylett had said ought to be put down by -Government with a firm hand? Ay, and those ruffians who had treated him -with such brutality, they must be no other than some of those dreaded -buccaneers, whose atrocities in the West Indies made the blood of -peaceable people run cold, and wonder why God's judgments did not -descend on all who abetted such crimes. Harry, as we know, was very -brave, and yet he shuddered as the truth forced itself on his mind; it -was not so much from a feeling of fear, but because, to the boy's weak, -fevered brain, the terrible calamity that had overtaken him seemed to -be, as it were, a punishment for his old and secret longings, and his -discontent at the dull home life. - -Then followed a period of great mental pain for the boy, and after -having vainly tried to free himself, he lay back utterly spent with the -exertion, and with the feeling that perhaps he was reserved for worse -tortures. Harry had heard many and many a terrible story of the doings -of these buccaneers, who plundered, without distinction, the ships of -all nations, and amassed treasures in the West Indies and the Spanish -Main, and whose inhuman conduct to their prisoners was not much better -than that experienced by the unfortunate Christian prisoners from the -pirates of Algiers. Harry's courage was nearly giving way at these -thoughts, and as no one was by to see him a few bitter tears rolled down -his cheeks; but as he put up his hand to brush them away he suddenly -felt ashamed of his weakness. - -'God helping me,' thought he, 'whatever these rascals call themselves -they shall not see me in tears, be the pretence never so great; it were -a pretty story to take back to my father and good Mr. Aylett, that I was -found weeping like a girl; but all the same I wish they would give me -something to eat. In truth I could devour very willingly a sirloin of -beef if it were offered me.' - -Hunger is but a melancholy companion, and as the time still passed on -and no one came near him, though Harry could hear the tramp of feet -above him distinctly enough, the boy began to fear he should be left to -die of slow starvation; and though this idea was very fearful to a -growing lad, yet he determined that even this suffering should not make -him cry out, and, clenching his teeth together, he lay down again and -tried to say a few mental prayers. Evidently he must have dozed off, -for the next thing he remembered was the sound of a rough voice telling -him to get up; at the same time the rope that tied his feet was hastily -cut and he felt himself led along a dark passage and pushed up a -hatchway, feeling too dazed and weak to notice anything till he was -thrust through the door of a small cabin. - -By this time Harry's spirit had returned; he forgot his pain and his -hunger, and, straightening himself, tried to wrench his arm away from -the iron grasp of the sailor that led him. - -'What right have you fellows to keep me prisoner here?' cried Harry. -'But as we are upon the high seas it's not likely I can escape, so you -need not pinion me down in this fashion.' - -At this moment a tall, powerful, and very handsome man entered the -cabin, and, hearing Harry's words, burst into a loud and cheerful laugh. - -'What, Mings! is this the boy you spoke of? By my faith, you have caged -a little eaglet! But we can soon cut his claws and stop his pretty -prating. How now, boy: answer truly, and tell me thy name; for we are no -lovers of ill-manners and insolence.' - -Harry Fenn had been struck dumb by the appearance of the new comer, so -that he had ceased struggling with Mings, and now gazed at the -courtly-looking man, whose whole bearing spoke of a certain rough -refinement and assured courage, such as Harry had believed attainable -only by a gentleman of birth and breeding. Evidently the man before him -was the captain of the crew, but he was no mere rough sailor such as -Harry had often seen at home; on the contrary, his dress was both rich -and elegant; he wore his hair in flowing locks just below his neck; a -cravat of muslin edged with rich lace was round his throat, and the ends -of the bow hung over his thick doublet, which was embroidered in a -running pattern. His scarf, thrown over one shoulder and tied at his -waist, was heavy with gold embroidery and fringe, and the sword that -dangled at his side was evidently of Spanish make, and richly chased. As -to his countenance, the more Harry gazed the less he could believe this -man had anything to do with the buccaneers of the West Indies he had -heard so much about, for the Captain's expression was open, and even -pleasant. His eyes were of a pale blue, shaded by soft and reddish -eyebrows; his nose straight and well formed; and though his mouth was -somewhat full and coarse, yet there was nothing bad-tempered about it; -and the curling moustache and small tuft of hair on his chin reminded -one of a jolly cavalier more than of a dreaded sea-captain. Yes, Harry -fancied he might be mistaken, and that this gentleman was in truth a -loyal captain of His Majesty's Navy, and that his own capture was all -some terrible mistake. This idea gave him courage, and, shaking himself -free from his jailor, he advanced boldly towards the handsome-looking -man, who surely must be the soul of honour, and no enemy to the public. - -'Oh, sir, I fancied I had fallen into the hands of evil men; but surely -I am mistaken, and you will see justice done me. I am a yeoman's son. -My name is Harry Fenn, and my father owns a farm at South Benfleet. I -had but gone down to see after one of our cows who had been sick, when -suddenly your men waylaid me when I defended our cattle, and used me in -a brutish manner. Had they wanted to buy cattle, my father could have -directed them to those willing to sell. I did but my duty in defending -my father's property, and I doubt not that they gave you quite a wrong -tale of my behaviour; but indeed, sir, it was not true, and though I -have been treated very roughly I beg you to see justice done to me, and -to have me landed on our English coast; for my parents will be sadly put -about on account of my disappearance, and very solicitous about my -safety.' - -Harry paused, expecting the handsome captain to express his regret at -what had happened. Instead of this, his words were received with a loud -laugh by Mings; and apparently they also much tickled the fancy of the -Captain, for he joined in the merriment, though he looked with kindly -eyes on the handsome youth, who, in spite of his being a good deal -bespattered with mud and blood stains, was yet a very pleasant picture -of a bold, fearless English boy. - -'Thou art over-bold, young fellow,' said Mings when he had laughed -heartily. 'Doubtless our captain will teach thee how to mind thy -speech. Shall I stow the lad away, sir, in the hold? I take it he will -come forth in a humbler frame of mind, and with less zeal for defending -cattle.' - -'Nay, Mings, leave him to me; such a home bird is an uncommon sight, and -having fallen on deck for want of a stronger wing, he must needs stay -aboard. Go and attend to the guns, and tell the watch to keep a sharp -look-out for any strange sail, and I'll see to the boy.' - -Mings appeared a little sulky at this order, and took the opportunity of -roughly grasping Harry's shoulder as he went by, with the remark: - -'Keep a civil tongue in thy head, young scarecrow, or Captain Henry -Morgan will soon teach thee to wag it less glibly. It would want but a -small gun to blow thee back to the English shore if thou art so anxious -to get back--eh, Captain?' - -The Captain frowned instead of answering, and Mings made off as quickly -as possible; but by this time Harry had recovered from his surprise. - -'Then it's true,' he said quickly; 'you are in truth the infamous Henry -Morgan the buccaneer, whose name is a terror to all honest folk. I only -hope one of His Majesty's men-of-war will give chase, and I will do all -in my power to give information. It is a dastardly act that you have -done, for you have stolen our property and allowed your men shamefully -to ill-use me.' - -Harry never stayed to think how unwise his words were: he was so angry -at having made a mistake and having fancied this courtly man was an -honest gentleman, that he cared nothing at the moment about the -consequences of his violent language; indeed, he was all the more -furious when he noticed that Captain Morgan seemed only amused by his -burst of indignation. - -'Thou art a brave lad, and I like to see thy spirit. Tell me thy name. -I wager it is an honest one.' - -'Ay, truly. Harry Fenn is my name--an honest English yeoman's son, and -one that will receive no favours from a buccaneer,' answered Harry, -crossing his arms. - -'Then thou art my namesake, lad, i' fecks! See, I'll forgive thy hasty -words, and take thee for my godson. As for thy parents, well, they must -take the chances of war as others do, for there can be no putting back -to land now. We had to be very crafty to avoid a large three-decker of -sixty-four guns that, I fancy, had scent of my poor frigate; but we ran -up the French flag, and so got off; and now we are making a very fair -journey towards Jamaica. Art hungry, lad? There's no use lying about -thy stomach, for it's a hard taskmaster, and, now I come to think of it, -no one has heeded thee or thy wants since the cutter put thee aboard.' - -Hunger was indeed a very hard taskmaster for at this moment Harry Fenn -felt a dizziness which he could hardly control, and he half fell on a -bench which was beside him, and against which he had been leaning. -Captain Morgan continued: - -'Come, Harry Fenn, you're a brave lad, and we'll strike a bargain. I've -taken a fancy to you, my boy, and I'll try and protect you from the -sailors. We are rough people at times, but not so bad as we're painted; -so if you'll work like the rest, I'll warrant you good provender and as -merry a life as we sea-folk know how to lead.' - -'I will not work for such as you,' said Harry boldly; 'my father brought -me up in honest ways. I would rather die than join hands with such men -as your crew.' - -'By my troth, boy, you are ignorant of our good deeds, I well see,' said -Captain Morgan. 'Many of those in power are glad enough of our inroads -on the Spanish Settlements, for those rogues get only their deserts if -we make them discharge a little of their gold. Hast never heard of our -worthy predecessors? The authorities were less squeamish in those days, -and called the deeds of bold men by fine names, whereas now, in truth, -it is convenient to dub us buccaneers. There was Sir Thomas Seymour, -and before him there were fine doings by Clarke's squadron. By St. -George, he was a lucky man! and after six weeks' cruise he brought back -a prize of 50,000*l.* taken from the Spaniards. And how about Drake, -Hawkins, and Cavendish? There were no ugly names hurled at them, and -yet methinks they and we go much on the same lines. In truth we have -done good service also against those rascally Dutch, and for that alone -we deserve better treatment than we get.' - -Captain Morgan now noticed that Harry had become deadly pale, and, -hastily rising, the buccaneer opened a locker and took from it a black -bottle, the contents of which he poured into a glass. - -'Here, lad, thou art faint; this will revive thy courage. But first -swear that thou wilt be one of us.' - -Harry had eagerly stretched forth his hand to take the glass, but at -these words he drew back. - -'Nay, but I will not swear; if God wills, I can die, but I will not -sully my father's name.' - -Captain Morgan frowned angrily, and, striding up to Harry, took hold of -his arm with his left hand, and with his right seized the hilt of his -sword as he exclaimed-- - -'Swear, boy, or it will be worse for thee.' Harry Fenn made one last -great effort and staggered to his feet; then with his right hand he -struck the glass with as much strength as he possessed, and saw the red -wine spurt out upon the floor and upon the Captain's doublet. - -'God helping me, I will not swear,' he cried; but the words were barely -audible, as he fell fainting on the floor. - -'As brave a lad as I ever cast eyes on!' said the Captain, losing his -stern expression, and, stooping down, he poured a few drops of the wine -into Harry's mouth; then, calling for the cook, he bade him tend the boy -till he should have regained his strength. - -'Harry Fenn shall be under my protection,' said the Captain to himself, -'but in time he must be one of us.' - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND. - - -It is the beginning of December 1670 in the beautiful little Island of -St. Catherine, one of the West Indian Islands, which were at this time -the rich treasure-house of most of the European nations, where -Spaniards, French, English, and Dutch all hoped to make their fortunes -in some way or other, and where, alas! the idle and good-for-nothing men -of the Old World attempted by unlawful means to win fame and fortune, -which, when achieved, as often as not brought them neither happiness nor -profit. - -Though it is December, in St. Catherine there is nothing cold or -disagreeable in the weather, and all around the beauty of the scene -delights the eye. The mountains, though of no great height, are wooded -with the loveliest tropical vegetation; the well-watered valleys are -little Gardens of Eden; whilst in some portions, not yet cleared by -either natives, Spaniards, or Englishmen, the original forests rise up -like giants of nature whom no hand of man has laid low. In these -forests are endless varieties of birds--parrots, pigeons, and -hummingbirds of every colour. Here, too, can be found land-crabs which -much resemble sea-crabs in shape and manner of walking; but instead of -finding a home under rocks and boulders, these crabs burrow in the -forests, and once a year form themselves into a regiment and march down -to the sea-coast for the purpose of depositing their young in the -waters. This regiment has only one line of march; it never diverges -from it, but whatever comes in its way is climbed over--straight over it -go the crabs; and such a noise they make that you can hear the -clattering of their claws for a considerable distance. - -We must not now stop to describe this West Indian island, which is full -of beauty and curious plants and trees; but if you come to the wood that -leads to the great Spanish fortress of Santa Teresa, you will find a -steep path through the luxurious forest, leading over a drawbridge to -the castle. What a view can be seen from thence over the port! But it -was not the view that the Governor's children were thinking of as they -walked together in the garden which sloped down towards the sea, and -which was especially reserved for the Governor and his family. - -Felipa del Campo was a tall dark girl of about fourteen years of age, -but she looked older, and there was a sad expression on her face as she -gazed up to her brother, a noble-looking fellow a year older, with the -long, grave-looking countenance of the Spanish nobility. He was -dressed, after the fashion of that time, in embroidered doublet, short -velvet tunic, and trunk hose; whilst his well-shaped limbs were -displayed to perfection in silk stockings. His shoes had buckles set -with diamonds, and his tall Spanish hat was plumed. - -Felipa, on her side, had a long silver-embroidered skirt, beneath which -her dainty feet hardly appeared; a small stomacher sewn with seed pearls -set off her lithe figure, whilst her pretty, dark hair strayed from -beneath a rich black lace kerchief. - -'Where is my father, Carlo?' asked Felipa. 'Old Catalina says he has -been down to-day to give orders about the repair of the bridge between -the two islands. Do you think he is expecting any danger? Surely the -forts are well protected; but what can make him so busy?' - -'I don't know what to think,' said Carlo sadly, 'our father is so -strange of late. I have been trying to speak to you about it, Felipa, -for several days, but sometimes I fancy he seems to watch me as if he -suspected me; though of what I cannot imagine. And then--have you -noticed?--he cannot make up his mind to anything; he orders something -one day, and the next he has altered his mind. He promised me the -command of the little fort of Santa Cruz when I should be fifteen; but -this morning when I reminded him of this he spoke quite roughly, and -told me I was fit for nothing but playing with girls.' - -Carlo's colour heightened at the very idea of this rebuke; for if there -was one virtue the boy admired more than any other it was courage. These -two children had been early left motherless; but old Catalina, a -faithful servant, had done all she could to make their lives happy since -she had brought them here from Spain, after the Marquis Don Estevan del -Campo had been made Governor of St. Catherine. - -'Catalina says that our father is not the same man he was when our -mother first married him,' said Felipa thoughtfully. 'The many worries -he has have made the change. But never mind, Carlo, this mood will pass -by, and we shall be happy again. When our brave uncle, Don Alvarez, -comes with dear Aunt Elena, then they will advise our father, and he -always takes Uncle Alvarez's opinion. He always does, because uncle -speaks so decidedly.' - -The two children spoke in Spanish, but, strangely enough, they often put -in English words and whole English phrases; and the reason of this was -soon apparent, for at this moment a pretty, fair girl was seen running -towards them with nimble feet down the slope, and, picking her way among -the gorgeous flower-beds, she cried out in pure English, though with a -slightly foreign accent: - -'Dear Felipa, what do you think! There is a trading-vessel in the port, -and the merchant has just come to offer us some beautiful cloth, and -silver buckles! Catalina dares not send him away till you have seen -him.' - -Carlo smiled as he looked at the English girl's beautiful fair hair, -rosy cheeks, and active limbs. To him she appeared like some angel, for -he was accustomed to seeing only dark people, and the Spanish women in -the island were anything but beautiful. Felipa shook her head as she -answered: - -'Tell Catalina to say I want nothing.' The Governor's daughter spoke -with just that tone of command which showed she was accustomed to be -first, even though her gentle manner and sad face plainly indicated that -her real nature was rather yielding than imperious. - -'I can see Etta admired the silver buckles,' said Carlo kindly. 'Come, -Mistress Englishwoman, I will buy you a pair; for, with the dislike to -long petticoats that comes from your English blood, the pretty buckles -are more necessary for you than for Felipa.' - -'Oh, dear Carlo, will you really!' said Etta, her face beaming with -pleasure. 'How good you are to me!' All at once, however, the smile -died away, and, sitting down on a seat near Felipa, the English girl -added, with tears in her blue eyes: - -'But no, Carlo, I will not accept your buckles: a prisoner has no right -to wear pretty things.' - -'A prisoner! Oh, Etta!' said Felipa, throwing her arms round Etta's -neck, 'why do you say that? Do we not love you dearly? Am I not a -sister to you? and Carlo a dear brother? Do I not share all my things -with you? And when Catalina is cross to you I make her sorry.' - -'And my father has almost forgotten you are not one of his own,' added -Carlo, standing behind Etta and taking one of the fair curls in his -hand; for he dearly loved this English sister, as he called Etta -Allison. - -'Yes, yes, it is all true, and Santa Teresa is a lovely home; but I -cannot forget I am English, and that I am really a prisoner. I once -asked Don Estevan to send me back to England by one of the big ships, -and he refused; and yet my mother's last words were that I was not to -forget my own land.' - -At the thought of her mother Etta's tears came fast; but at this moment -the Governor of St. Catherine himself appeared in the garden, and Etta, -being afraid to be seen crying, dried her tears and stooped down to play -with Felipa's little dog, so as not to show her red eyes. When she -looked up again the sunshine had returned to her bonnie-looking face. - -The Marquis Don Estevan del Campo was a small thin-looking man, who had -long suffered from a liver complaint, and in consequence his whole -nature seemed to be changed. From a determined, clever administrator he -had become peevish, undecided, and ill-tempered; and the men under him -hardly knew how to obey his orders, which were often very contradictory. - -To-day he walked towards Carlo, with a troubled expression on his face, -and on the way he took occasion to find fault with a slave who was -watering the flower-beds. The slave trembled, as he was bidden in a -very imperious fashion to be quicker about his work. - -Carlo came to meet his father, doffing his hat in the courtly fashion of -a young Spanish noble. - -'What are you doing here, children?' the Marquis said. 'Is not this -your hour of study?' - -'You have forgotten, my father, that it is a holiday to-day; and I was -coming to ask if Felipa and Etta might not come down to the bay with me -and have a row in my canoe.' - -The Marquis looked up quickly. - -'No, no: there must be no rowing to-day; I have set workmen to repair -the bridge, and you had best keep at home.' - -'Then we will go to the Orange Grove,' said Felipa, coming up and -putting her hand on her father's arm, 'and Etta and I will pick some of -the sweetest fruit for your dessert this evening.' - -'As you like, Felipa; but do not go far, and take Catalina and some of -the slaves with you, for I hear several of the wild dogs have been seen -in this neighbourhood. Anyhow, you will not have very long before -sunset.' - -'I will let the girls go alone, then,' said Carlo, 'and come with you, -father.' And so saying the Marquis and his son walked away, whilst the -girls with an escort of slaves entered the forest and went down the -mountain side. This forest was not, however, such a one as could be -found in England. Here the pleasant breeze played among the leaves of a -huge fan palm with leaf-stalks ten feet long and fans twelve feet broad; -next to it might be found a groo-groo or coco palm, and bananas and -plantains; and below these giant trees of the tropics were lovely -shrubs, covered with flowers of every hue and shape, round which flitted -great orange butterflies larger than any we can see in our colder -climate; and Etta with her English blood and active nature was never -tired of chasing them, though now and then a little afraid of meeting -with snakes. - -A great deal of this forest had not been cleared; but close by the path -the Governor had had much of the undergrowth cut away, and lower down he -had planted a grove of orange-trees, whose green fruit Etta and Felipa -loved to pick; and round about was a lovely wild garden where grew -sensitive plants and scarlet-flowered balisiers and climbing ferns, over -which twined convolvuli of every colour, whilst the bees buzzed about -these honeycups, never caring to fly up to the great cotton-trees so far -above them, because they found enough beauty and sweetness in the -flowers below. - -Felipa and Etta did not know the names of even half the beautiful -flowers they gathered that evening; but they invented fancy names for -many of them, and arranged with good taste a bunch of roses they picked -from a bush twenty feet high, glad that a few were within their reach, -and longing for Carlo, so that he might pull down some more for them. - -Of course there were drawbacks even in this lovely place, for there were -the wasps and the spiders to avoid, and centipedes and ants, too; though -Etta was never tired of watching the 'parasol ants' who walk in -procession, each carrying a bit of green leaf over its head, on which -were to be found now and then baby ants, having a ride home in their -elegant carriage. - -Ah, it was a beautiful and wonderful home these young Spaniards had on -this Santa Teresa hill; but at that time even the children in West -Indian homes knew there were dangers that might come upon them, and St. -Catherine had already been the scene of disasters which Etta could just -remember, but which Felipa had seen nothing of as yet, having only been -brought from Spain when the Marquis was firmly established as Governor -of the island. - -After the girls had gathered as big nosegays as they could carry they -began to ascend the hill again, for darkness would soon come upon them, -there being no twilight in this lovely region, and even with their -escort of slaves they were not allowed to be out after sunset. - -'Dear Etta,' said Felipa, putting her arm round her friend's neck, -'promise me you will never again call yourself a prisoner. You would -not care to leave me and beautiful Santa Teresa to go back to that -dreadfully cold, foggy England? Surely you have not found us such cruel -Spaniards as your people talk of; and Carlo loves you better than he -loves me, I think.' - -Etta smiled and kissed her friend, but she answered: - -'I love you and Carlo very, very much, Felipa; but my dear mother told -me before she died that I was never to part with the letters she gave -me, and that some day I must go home and find my relations; for in my -country I come from an honourable family, but here I am only an English -prisoner.' - -Felipa was going to argue the question again, when Carlo came running -down to meet them. - -'Make haste, Felipa and Etta: my father has suddenly made up his mind to -go to the other island this evening; he means to sleep at the Fort St. -Jerome, and he says we may accompany him.' The girls, always ready for -a little journey, as they seldom left Santa Teresa, clapped their hands -in joy and ran up the narrow path to the entrance of the castle, in high -glee at the unexpected pleasure. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE PIRATES ARE COMING. - - -St. Catherine is composed of two islands, but so small was the space -between them that the Marquis had had a secure bridge built across the -tiny strait, and the two islands were always reckoned as one. The -children were quite ignorant of the reason of their sudden trip to the -greater island, and indeed they only thought of enjoying the fun of -going to a new residence; for close to St. Jerome was the Governor's -house, near a battery called the Platform, and in sight of the Bay of -Aquada Grande. A river ran from the Platform to the sea, and the -Marquis had wished to assure himself of the forts being in good order, -as the captain of a friendly ship touching lately at St. Catherine had -sent a message to him that there were rumours of some attempt on Panama -being set on foot by the pirates, and that the Governor of Panama begged -Don Estevan del Campo to keep a sharp look-out at St. Catherine, for -that island had once been in the hands of the English pirates, and it -was known that since the great buccaneer Mansfelt had died and the -island had been re-taken by the Spaniards great hopes were entertained -by several bands of English pirates that this little island might once -more belong to them. It was for this reason that the Spaniards had -constructed many forts on the island, especially on the lesser St. -Catherine, which was not quite so well provided with natural defences as -was the larger island. - -It was the receipt of this news that had so greatly disturbed the -much-worn-out Marquis, and his nerves were indeed hardly equal to the -difficult duties entrusted to him. Pirates had increased terribly of -late years. Jamaica, though it had a Governor supposed to be engaged in -suppressing them, was yet quite a nest of these bold outlaws, who, -taking advantage of the English jealousy of Spain, cared not what -outrage they committed on Spanish towns and Spanish islands; though, in -truth, other nations fared but little better at their hands. - -The Marquis had examined the fortresses in the lesser island, and was -much troubled at the few men that were at his disposal for manning them, -and for the defence of the island generally; and now, having come to St. -Jerome, he determined to send a boat down the river this very evening in -order to ask for help and advice from the Governor of Costa Rica, Don -John Perez de Guzman, who had five years before so ably retaken the -island. But all this amount of thought and anxiety had quite unnerved -the poor Marquis, who scolded every one about him, found fault with the -garrison, and severely punished some negro slaves for their idleness in -the plantations of the Platform; but, as the negroes were always idle, -they considered their punishment very unfair. - -The next evening Carlo went into the pretty sitting-room of the girls, -which looked upon the river and out towards the beautiful bay; but when -Felipa, who was very musical, and could sing in French, Spanish, and -English, took up her lute, begging him to join in, he shook his head and -surprised her by his answer. - -'Felipa, don't ask me to sing; I am sure something is the matter with -our father. He has got into a passion with Espada, and has put him in -irons. It is very unwise, for Espada is a revengeful man, and he has -great influence with the other men in the fort, some of whom were once -outlaws from Puerto Velo. I wish I were a man and that my father would -consult me. His Catholic Majesty ought to give my father a pension and -let us all go back to Spain, for I am sure this place does not agree -with him.' - -Etta listened sadly to Carlo's words; when he was troubled about his -father she was very sorry, for the boy was one whom nobody could help -loving and admiring. - -'Dear Carlo, if the King of Spain knew you he would, I am sure, make you -Governor of beautiful St. Catherine, and then the poor negroes would not -be oppressed, nor the gentle Indians hunted with dogs as you say they -are sometimes. My father used to tell me of the dreadful cruelties used -towards those poor people in past days. In England such things would -not be allowed.' And, so saying, Etta raised her head proudly, feeling -that an Englishman was better than a Spaniard. - -Felipa passed her hands over the lute, saying, as the sweet tones were -wafted through the room: - -'Do not talk of such things, Etta. I am sure our Indians are not -unhappy. Andreas loves us clearly; and we make the negroes, not the -Indians, work on the marshes. Now I shall sing to drive away your ugly -fancies.' - -And she sang softly an evening hymn in Spanish, and Carlo and Etta -joined in too, so that the sound of the young voices floated over the -clear waters of the river, whilst the scent of sweet spice plants was -wafted in. Surely Felipa was right: it was not suitable to talk of -human miseries when all around nature was so exquisite. Old Catalina -soon came in with the evening supper, saying the Marquis had gone out -and would sup alone; and very early the girls retired to bed; Carlo told -them not to dream of troubles, because he should be next door to them in -case they were frightened. He felt that his sister was under his charge -now that their father the Marquis was so little able to see after her. - -Old Catalina counted her beads and muttered her prayers long after the -two girls were sleeping soundly; and as she stooped over Etta's bed and -noticed how fair the girl was, she murmured: 'It is a pity this pretty -child is a Protestant; but I hope when she is older she will be one with -us; for otherwise the Marquis will thrust her out and not let her come -home with us to Spain, and my darling Felipa will break her heart, for -she loves her English playfellow dearly.' - -But the night was not to pass as quietly and peacefully as it had begun. -Catalina lay on a mattress in her young mistress's room; but, being a -heavy sleeper, she did not hear a hasty knock at the door, and the -repeated call of 'Catalina! Felipa! quick! open the door! Why do you -all sleep so soundly!' - -Etta was the first to awake, and, throwing a coloured shawl about her, -she ran to the door and opened it. - -'What is up, Carlo?' she said rather sleepily. - -'Wake Catalina and Felipa, and make haste and dress yourselves. My -father says we must fly from here at once: the pirates are outside the -bay. They will land early to-morrow, perhaps opposite this very fort. I -beseech you, make all haste you can.' In a few minutes the frightened -girl had shaken Catalina, and was trying to explain to Felipa what the -danger was which threatened them. - -'Oh, Felipa, the pirates are coming! Quick! quick! make haste and -dress, for the Marquis says we must go back to Santa Teresa at once.' - -Catalina began wringing her hands as poor Felipa turned deadly pale. - -'We shall all be killed! May the saints protect us! Ah, my poor lamb! -who could have believed those wicked wretches would have dared to show -themselves here again, and in your father's lifetime. Alas! alas! make -haste, sweetheart, and let us fly!' - -Felipa was so frightened that she could hardly dress herself; and poor -Etta, who knew more about the dreaded sea-robbers than did Felipa, tried -to be brave in order not to increase the Spanish girl's terror. Etta -was brave, and in many ways fearless in all ordinary affairs; but the -cry 'The pirates are coming!' was one of the most dreaded in the West -Indies--a cry which had often taken the spirit out of the heart of a -bold sea-captain, who knew the desperate courage and reckless -indifference to life exhibited by the men who infested these seas. - -When Catalina and the girls were dressed they stepped forth, to find the -Marquis and Carlo waiting for them. The former was walking up and down -the hall of the house discussing the terrible news with some Spanish -officers. - -'Your Excellency knows that this fort cannot long resist a fierce -assault,' said one of them. 'Were it not better to evacuate the -Platform and concentrate our forces on the lesser island batteries? The -fortresses there are strongly built, and with our men we could put them -in a better state of resistance.' - -'They will not land to-night,' said the wretched Marquis, looking the -picture of an undecided man. 'If you think, Don Francisco, that flight -would be the best plan, give orders to your men. Ah, here are the -children. Are the horses ready? We have no time to waste; and yet what -say you? Perhaps these wretches will think better of it, and leave Port -St. Catherine in peace. Were it not better after all to stay here?' - -'Let us stay, father,' put in Carlo. 'If you will let me fight, I am -sure I shall be able to defend this place. Do not let this handful of -rascals believe we fear them.' - -'Give your opinion, Carlo, when you are asked, and not before. Are the -horses ready? Now, Felipa, wrap your scarf well round you; we have a -long way to go. Yes, I think it is better to go than to stay.' - -'We shall be safe at Santa Teresa, father, are you sure?' sobbed Felipa; -whilst Etta, looking at Carlo's fearless expression of face, determined -to say nothing, for he had once said girls were always afraid. - -It was a very anxious and silent cavalcade that made its way back -towards the small island that night, and contrasted strangely with that -which had come hither but quite lately, laughing and chatting to their -hearts' content. - -Carlo, however, managed to ride near Etta occasionally when the ground -was clearer so as to allow their horses to walk abreast. Felipa kept -close to her father, as if near him she would be quite safe from the -dreaded foes. Every now and then she looked back into the darkness -towards the little village at the foot of the Platform; where, however, -all was at present still and quiet. - -'Is it really true?' whispered Etta to Carlo, as if she could be heard -from this distance; 'have they been seen?' - -'I think so. Jos the one-eyed, who, they say, was once a pirate -himself, noticed the ships creeping round towards the bay just before -sundown, and he came all the way from San Salvador to give the news, -hearing my father was here. However, of course they may think better of -attacking us. Jos believes he recognises one of Mansfelt's old ships; -but I think terror gives him double sight, For all that, I wish my -father would have stayed and driven off the rascals on their first -landing. It looks as if we feared them, and that will make them -bolder.' - -Not much more was said, and the cavalcade rode through the dark forest, -and then emerged on the sea coast, for towards the north of the island -the cliffs became lower, and before reaching the bridge there was a good -stretch of open country. - -'God be praised, and all his saints!' said Catalina, 'I can see the -crest of Santa Teresa. We shall now soon be in safety. The rascals -cannot climb our mountain; and if they come we can hurl them down into -the sea. I wouldn't mind helping to do that with my own hands.' - -The Marquis had already sent on a messenger to collect several officers -at the Castle of Santa Teresa, which, with its thick walls, its great -moat, its impregnable cliff on the sea-side, and its difficult ascent -towards the land, was a secure retreat, where the Governor could hold a -council of war, and decide what course to take as to repulsing the enemy -should he land on the shores of St. Catherine. - -'I wish my father would take his own counsel,' thought Carlo for the -hundredth time, 'and then he would at least know his own mind. However, -now there is real danger, he cannot prevent my helping to defend my -sister and my home.' And this feeling made the proud, brave boy forget -that fighting does not always mean victory, and caused him not to be -altogether sorry that he should have a chance of distinguishing himself, -and perhaps--who knew?--the King of Spain would hear of it. Carlo had -read of the deeds of brave knights and of their wonderful exploits, and -was eager to begin also his own career of fame; but reality is often, -alas, very unlike our dreams. - -All nature was fully awake when the Governor reached Santa Teresa; and -the girls, once more safely surrounded by habitual sights and sounds, -forgot their fears, and, after a little rest and refreshment, began, as -before, running happily about the gardens within the enclosure. The -guards were, however, at once doubled, and the negro slaves posted in -the wood. - -'Here we shall not see the pirates land,' said Felipa, now almost -disappointed, 'nor the punishment our people will give them. I am sure -Carlo would have been able to defeat them with the help of a few men. -Don't you think so, Etta?' - -'I do not know; but, Felipa, let us say our prayers, and then we shall -be sure they will not hurt us. Do you know that, in the excitement of -the journey, I forgot mine this morning; and I promised my mother never -to leave them out.' - -'So did I,' exclaimed Felipa, 'but I shall tell Padre Augustine and he -will forgive me.' Etta had no such comfort, for she had been early -imbued by her parents with a great disbelief in the religion of the -Spanish settlers; but from living with Felipa, and being kindly treated -by her captors, she had begun to take Felipa's opinions as a matter of -course; though now and then the girls had little differences as to the -various merits of their Churches. Had Etta not been of a very -determined character, most likely she would have forgotten her own -faith; but early troubles had made her old in ideas, and passionate love -for her dead parents kept all their wishes in her mind. She would -sooner have died than have become a Roman Catholic, and at present the -Marquis had not taken the trouble to inquire into the matter. Had -Felipa not wanted a companion, Etta's fate might have been a sad one; as -it was, she enjoyed all the privileges of the Governor's little -daughter. But often the English girl would steal away to read over some -of her precious letters, or to kiss the few relics she possessed of the -gentle mother who had died at St. Catherine. In these days many sad -stories might have been told of the sufferings of the wives of the -merchants or Governors who had to live away from their country, or who -for some reason crossed the seas to come to the West Indies. The prisons -of Algeria and the haunts of the West Indian pirates could have -revealed, and did reveal, many a sad story of captivity and -ill-treatment. - -But the day was not to pass without news of the enemy; for in the -afternoon Carlo, who had been round the fort with his father, ran in to -tell the girls that a messenger had just arrived from the other island. - -'The saints protect us! And what does he say? Have they made dried meat -of them already?' said Catalina, referring to the meaning of the word -buccaneer. - -'The enemy has landed below the Platform; they are about a thousand -strong, and their leader is no other than the terrible Captain Morgan -the Englishman,' said Carlo, much excited. - -'A thousand strong!' exclaimed Felipa. 'Then we shall need all our men. -But they cannot reach us here. What does our father say?' - -Carlo shrugged his shoulders. - -'He will give no positive orders, but the rascals are really marching -through the woods towards us. I wonder at their rashness, for here we -are so well prepared to receive them that they will find it too warm for -them. We are to have a council of war this evening. Now, if I were -Governor I would starve them out.' - -'Will father let you attend the council?' asked Felipa, looking upon her -brother as already a knight of renown. - -'Nay, but he must. I can use a sword as well as any one. Etta, you -shall tie my scarf, and I will wear your colours on my scabbard.' - -Etta shook her head sadly. - -'The pirates are from my country. Your father will be angry with me, -Carlo; and yet my father was none of them. He was a brave and honest -merchant.' - -'No one shall blame thee, dear Etta,' said the boy, 'or if they do, I -will offer single combat.' And Carlo went through his military -exercises with great show and laughter, till Catalina and some slaves -arrived, and desired the young people to come and help with the defence -of the castle by taking away all the valuables and hiding them in the -dungeons below or in a well under the flags of the inner courtyard. - -Carlo was very angry at this order of his father's: it seemed to -presuppose the taking of Santa Teresa. - -'As if the pirates would ever enter this stronghold!' he said -impatiently. 'If I may be allowed to speak, I will offer to lead out a -party from Santa Teresa, and the robbers will see something worth seeing -then. I must go and find my father and persuade him.' - -In spite of his objection, however, Carlo, as well as every one else, -had to work with a will within the walls of Santa Teresa; whilst the -Marquis, hardly able to hide his fears, paced restlessly up and down -without the castle, often sending negro scouts on all sides to ascertain -the real truth; but he got such contradictory answers that he half -feared the negroes were too much afraid to venture near enough to the -advancing enemy to ascertain how matters stood. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - THE SCOUTS. - - -The council of war presided over by the Marquis took place late that -afternoon; and Carlo, bent on proving his capabilities as a soldier, -slipped in with the officers and various Spaniards in authority who had -been able to leave their several stations to join in the discussion. -The Marquis was so much disturbed and troubled that he took no heed of -his son, for as the officers entered the private room of the Governor -the sound of cannon was distinctly heard in the distance, much to the -dismay of many present. - -'Those are the guns of St. Jerome,' said one of the officers. 'The -enemy must have reached the bridge, and we may expect them here by -sunset. Shall we give the order for all the neighbouring guns to fire, -sir.' - -'That will not be necessary,' answered the Marquis, testily. 'How many -guns are there at St. Jerome? Surely enough to drive these robbers back -to their boats?' - -'We have eight, Seor, at St. Jerome, and those will play freely on -them; they will be caught in a trap.' - -'Well, then, that will settle them. We know they cannot advance up the -river below this hill.' - -'Only a canoe could reach us here, and that would hold but a few men,' -said Don Francisco. - -'The blacks declare that Captain Morgan has only four hundred men with -him; if so, there will be no great difficulty.' - -'Nay, but the Indian Andreas,' said Carlo, 'has just told me they are -more like a thousand strong. I believe Andreas is the only scout who -gets near enough to know.' - -Carlo had an especial liking for Andreas, who often accompanied him out -into the woods to kill the birds. He was a very sharp fellow, and knew -every turn and winding in the islands. - -'A thousand strong! What nonsense, Carlo! Your opinion was not asked, -boy, and silence is your best course,' said the Marquis, angrily. - -Carlo blushed, but all the same he knew he was right, and was terribly -annoyed at hearing his father ask counsel first of one and then of -another, without coming to any decision. He saw several of the officers -looking evidently anxious, and when the council of war broke up--having -decided nothing but that a scout should be sent to St. Jerome for news, -and that there should be another meeting next morning--Carlo went up to -an officer and said hastily: - -'Why do we not collect a force of men and go out to meet them in the -marshes?--for that is surely the way they will advance.' - -'The Marquis thinks otherwise, Seorito; and he may be right, for they -may find themselves in a sad fix in some of the swamps in the low ground -or in the woods, and then they may think it better to return without -trying to take a fortress. Besides, we do not know how much powder they -may have brought, and we must not waste our own ammunition.' - -This was all the consolation Carlo could get, and he went back to his -sister's room looking very crestfallen and anxious. So to her eager -questioning he answered: - -'I wish father would let Don Francisco de Paratta take the command; he -himself is quite unable to take it. I could see by Don Francisco's face -that he thinks we are doing wrong. We have not even got true -information yet as to their number. I have a great mind----' Carlo -paused, for a sudden idea now entered his head. - -'What are you thinking of?' said Felipa, turning pale. 'Oh, Carlo, do -not do anything rash. What should we do without you?' - -'Oh, you are safe enough here at Santa Teresa; it would be impossible to -take this place by storm with a thousand men, or even double that -number, so you need not be afraid, dear Felipa.' - -'I know you mean to go and see for yourself,' said Etta. 'I wish I were -a boy and I could go with you. To stay still makes one imagine many -impossible things.' - -'Hush! don't tell any one, especially Catalina,' said Carlo, looking -round and seeing they were alone; 'she chatters so much. My plan is -this: I will slip outside presently before the gate is shut and run down -the hill to the river. There Andreas has a canoe safely hidden in the -bushes, and he will paddle me down to the mangrove swamps, and from -there we may get near to them and see for ourselves how the pirates are -situated.' - -'But you will get killed,' sobbed Felipa. 'These wicked English pirates -are worse than cannibals; Catalina says that they roast their prisoners -alive, and----' - -'Nonsense! Dry your tears, little sister, and believe me, Andreas is -too clever a fellow to let us get eaten. I shall be back before very -late, and I know the only breach that can be climbed.' - -Seeing her brother so cheerful, Felipa dried her tears, and hung a -little coin round his neck, which, she said, would keep him from harm; -and then she and Etta determined to sit up till he should come back, for -when he was once gone they would not mind telling Catalina. - -In the meantime all was bustle within the fort. The Spaniards had found -out now that the Governor had entirely lost his nerve, and this -increased the panic of the garrison. The men on watch amused themselves -by telling thrilling and horrible stories of the various tortures -inflicted by the pirates on their prisoners, and speculated as to the -fate of the garrison of St. Jerome, whose fire had ceased when the sun -went down. However, every one knew that Santa Teresa was safe enough, -and that even if some bold spirits climbed up the steep path on the land -side no great number could come on at the same time and so carry the -place by assault. - -At nightfall, Carlo, unseen by any one, slipped out of the fort; and, -plunging into the wood, he was soon joined by the Indian Andreas, who -was a fine fellow, a Christian, and, moreover, devotedly fond of the -young Spaniard, who had always treated him with kindness. Andreas spoke -fluent Spanish, from having been early taught by the Spanish priests, -who had brought him up after his father's death. - -'That's right, Andreas,' said Carlo, when he saw him. 'Now make haste -and show me your path down to the river; the other one is watched by the -slaves, and they might set the dogs on us by mistake. I reckon we can -reach the swamps in two hours with your canoe, and you tell me that you -are sure the enemy is encamped near there.' - -'Yes, Seorito, that is the truth; my little boy brought me word. And I -believe they are in great distress for want of food; but we shall see. -Look, noble Carlo: I have brought my arrows; and woe to any one that -tries to touch us!' - -After some very difficult walking in the mazes of the forest, through -which no one but an Indian could have steered, the two at last reached -the river, which ran far below Santa Teresa; and though this stream was -only navigable for canoes, it was often used by the Indians and -Spaniards when in haste to reach the sea, instead of taking the longer -journey by the land road. Andreas had powers of sight which appeared -quite extraordinary to Carlo; and when the two were seated in the frail -canoe, it was wonderful how the Indian paddled the boat, swiftly and -surely, avoiding the rocks as if it were broad daylight, and never -mistaking the many bends. Had Carlo been alone he would have grounded -the boat half a dozen times, and not have reached his destination before -daylight; but as it was, in two hours the boat glided swiftly into the -midst of the mangrove swamp through which the river here made its way. -All was quiet at first; the canoe did not even disturb the herons and -pelicans which slept near by on the interlaced roots of the mangroves. - -'If the pirates could have got into this swamp,' whispered Andreas, -'there would be no need of our cannon; but they are too crafty for that. -They have doubtless seized a good guide who would not dare to betray -them; otherwise they never could have reached Guana's Creek, where, I -hear, they have encamped to-night.' - -They drew up the canoe near to a great stump standing out in the water, -and, mooring it there, Andreas stepped on to a dry piece of ground; -then, stooping down, he listened intently, till like a stealthy animal -he returned to Carlo. - -'I am sure, Seorito, that I can hear the sound of the enemy. I must -creep up through the grove and get to the higher ground; then I will -return with news, if you will wait. I dare not let you come till I have -seen how the land lies. Lie down in the canoe, and I will make haste. -But cover yourself up, for the air is bad here, Seor; indeed you must -chew this root, and then you will feel no harm.' And so saying, Andreas -drew a dark-looking bit of root from his pocket, which was a secret -remedy against the swamp malaria, known only to the Indians; then, -walking quickly towards the jungle, he disappeared into the darkness. - -Carlo had to wait what seemed to him a long time before Andreas came -back; and what made it worse for him was the rain, which began to fall -heavily. At last, when he was beginning to think his Indian friend had -been caught by the pirates, he was startled by hearing a little splash -in the water beside him, and in another moment Andreas himself was in -the canoe. - -'The young Seor did not hear me,' said the Indian, smiling at the start -Carlo gave. 'It was to show him how well Andreas can walk in silence -that I came so quietly.' - -'Did you see them, good Andreas? Tell me quickly, shall I come now, or -must we go back?' - -'Yes, yes, Seor, I saw them. They are many--a thousand, I fancy, or -about that number; but they are in a bad position; they have no food, -and no fire to cook it with. I went up quite close and saw the -Captain.' - -'Captain Morgan! Oh, Andreas, did he look a wicked man? Tell me what -he looked like.' - -'A tall, fair Englishman, Seor, but not evil-looking; only some of his -followers had the bad countenances of wicked men. I could see that they -were discontented; and I heard some discussing if they should go back to -their ships. Look now, Seor Carlo: if you can persuade the noble -Governor to send a hundred well-armed soldiers to-night against these -same men, we shall have no more trouble with them. We could drive them -into the swamp, and then the swamp would do the rest. Why, they were -badly off: some had naked feet like the poor Indians, and some had but -ragged clothes, and very few had firearms. They were angry with the -Captain at being led into the marsh, and they huddled together when the -rain began to fall, cursing their misfortunes.' - -'It will go on raining all night, I fancy,' said Carlo. 'I have been -nicely sheltered here; but out where they are camped there are but few -trees. How could you see all this, good Andreas, for it is still dark?' - -'Well enough, Seor, for the rascals had pulled down some of the Indian -huts that lie up above, and had made a fire of them. Captain Morgan was -trying to make himself comfortable; and I saw a young lad about your -size and your age, Seorito, in the Captain's rude tent. I thought he -must be his son; but he looked sad and dejected, and not like one of the -pirates. Perhaps some young prisoner they have taken. He was busy -making up the fire, but I noticed that another fellow watched him pretty -closely whenever he strayed a little. Yes, I am sure he was a prisoner.' - -This did not interest Carlo so much as Andreas' idea about the hundred -men being sent out against the pirates. - -'Andreas, you are right. Quick, let us make haste home, and I will do -my best to persuade my father to send a body of soldiers here by -daybreak. If only he will believe us! Are you tired? Let me row a -little.' - -But Andreas laughed. - -'The Seorito would stick us in the mud at the next bend,' he said, and, -taking up his paddle, he sent the frail boat into mid-stream, and as -silently as they had come they returned towards Santa Teresa. During -the journey Carlo hardly spoke; he was planning the morning's expedition -in his own mind; and already he had cleared the whole island of the -dreaded horde, and covered the name of Estevan del Campo with glory and -honour. - -By the time the canoe shot into a tiny cove at the foot of Santa Teresa, -Carlo was glad enough to jump up and follow his leader through the -forest by an Indian path; and with Andreas' help the wall was scaled, -and both entered the enclosure unperceived. - -'It is to be hoped the pirates do not know this path,' he said to -Andreas; 'but, even if they did, not more than a single file of men -could get up here. Do the guides here know of it, Andreas?' - -Andreas shook his head. - -'Hush, young master, tell no one of it. It is known only to the Indians -of my tribe, and there are but few of us now. Good-night, Seorito; I -will be ready in the morning if you want another guide.' - -Carlo warmly shook the faithful Indian's hand as he bade him good-bye. -Before the Spanish occupation Andreas had been a chief's son; but his -father had long ago been killed by the white men, and the tribe was -broken up. The boy had been educated by the missionaries, but had never -altogether forgotten his childhood; and but for his love of Carlo del -Campo some said he would ere this have run away from the Governor's -estate, where he was forced to tend the gardens and to see his children -brought up as something not much better than mere slaves, whilst his -gentle wife was expected to help Catalina in household duties, cook the -food for the black slaves, and wait on the young ladies. - -Carlo was able to creep upstairs unheard by any one; and, seeing a light -in his sister's sitting-room, he knocked softly. Catalina opened the -door, and the girls, who had fallen asleep on a couch, jumped up -eagerly. - -'Carlo, there you are! Tell us the news! How glad I am you are safe -home!' - -'I dreamt you were drawn and quartered by the pirates. My poor lamb,' -cried Catalina, 'how we prayed for you, till we fell asleep and forgot -to finish the Litany of Danger!' - -'Nonsense! there was no danger at all; the pirates are in a bad way, and -it is raining hard. But tell me where my father is. We have only to -send out men and we are saved. Andreas knows exactly where they are -encamped.' - -'The noble Marquis was in the guard-room below when I came up,' said -Catalina. 'No one has gone to bed this night.' - -Carlo hastened away cheerfully. He was some time absent; but when he -returned his young face was clouded over with deep disappointment. - -'It is of no use; my father will not believe me. He refuses to do -anything till there can be another council, and then it may be too late. -Why am I not a man!' - -'Never mind, dear Carlo,' whispered Etta softly; 'the council may -believe you, and then----' - -But Carlo shook his head, and, tired out, he went to his own bed and -fell asleep from sheer fatigue. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - HATCHING A PLOT. - - -The next morning the rain stopped, and the sun shone out brightly and -powerfully over the beautiful wood which clothed the steep sides of -Santa Teresa. The cocoa-nut trees and the various kinds of palms softly -waved their beautiful heads in the morning breeze; the sulphur and black -butterflies flew hither and thither about the crimson, yellow, and green -pods of the cocoa, and on the orchids that hung from the giant stems. -All this and much more beauty was unheeded by the people in Santa -Teresa, for before the council of war could meet Andreas came running -into the courtyard, where Carlo had just come down to hear what news he -could, too angry to seek out his father after his disappointment of the -previous night. - -'Young master, where is the noble Marquis? Has he sent no one? No? Ah, -Seorito, now it is too late, for a canoe is coming up the river, and it -is not a mile distant. The pirates have sent a messenger, and the young -English boy I told you of is with him. They are flying a white flag; -that means, the pirate captain has sent them to parley. They have -recovered their courage this morning, or they would not have come to -treat. It will be too late to attack them now, and you see the rain has -stopped.' - -Andreas wrung his hands in a manner peculiar to the gentle Indian race -to which he belonged; whilst Carlo, much excited by the news, -impatiently drew him forward towards the Marquis's room. - -'Come and tell my father, Andreas. I cannot persuade him you really saw -the men. He says that you were mistaken last night, and that the -pirates are armed to the teeth.' - -'The great Governor will not believe! And yet I could have even brought -something away from the vultures' tent,' added Andreas with a smile. - -Alas! it was only too true. Instead of being surprised at the arrival -of a pirate messenger, Don Estevan del Campo seemed greatly relieved. -He had up to this hour decided on nothing, and was more excited and more -unfit to issue commands than he had been even the day before. Carlo -appealed to Don Francisco; but this officer was powerless without the -sanction of the Governor, and the more the latter was urged to fight the -less he seemed inclined to do so. - -The Marquis listened to the news the Indian brought, and then ordered -some soldiers to go down to the river and conduct the messengers into -the castle. They were to be well guarded, and to have their eyes -bandaged for fear of discovering any secrets, such as taking notes of -the path up the steep hill of Santa Terea. - -Great was the excitement in the castle when it was known that the -pirates had been bold enough to send an envoy. Some suggested that -these heralds of robbers should not be received; others, that they -should be sent back with threats; others, that hanging was too good for -them; whilst Don Francisco declared plainly that a garrison of His -Catholic Majesty of Spain had no business to parley with English -rascals; but Don Estevan, going from one to the other, listened to all -the contradictory advice, merely saying at the end: - -'No, no, good sirs, but we must hear what they say. Most likely this -herald brings us an unconditional surrender, in which case we shall have -trapped the rats without wasting our powder.' But Don Francisco -answered: - -'That is not very likely, noble Marquis; there seems no doubt it is -Henry Morgan who himself leads the band, and he was never known to -surrender. Andreas swears there are a great number of them. If so, -they will surely attack us.' - -The surmises were at length set at rest by the entrance of the soldiers, -who brought with them a short, thick-set man, whose determined face -spoke of dauntless courage and daring. With him was a tall fair youth, -with a noble but sad and care-worn expression of face. - -From the windows of their dwelling-room Felipa and Etta had watched the -entrance of the new arrivals; and Carlo, who had rushed in to do the -same, could not help an exclamation of surprise at the sight of the lad, -who was about his own age and size. As for Etta, her admiration found -vent in words. - -'Look, Felipa, that is an English boy! How handsome he is! He does not -look wicked, does he? Perhaps he is Henry Morgan's son. How I wish -these were not wicked pirates! I would talk to them of England, and -perhaps they might know my relations and would some day take me back. -But the man looks every inch of him like an evil buccaneer.' - -'Etta, what nonsense you are talking!' said Carlo; 'the youth is most -likely as wicked as the rest. Andreas saw him last night. Yes, he must -be the Captain's son. Now I shall go and hear their propositions. If I -had had my way there would have been no messengers alive by this hour to -suggest any terms. One should give no quarter to such foes.' - -After Carlo had gone, the two girls, who were busy over some beautiful -Spanish embroidery, still sat by the window hoping to see the pirates go -back blindfolded. Such excitement had not before fallen to the lot of -Felipa; for during the five years she had been in this beautiful and -peaceful island home, nothing more exciting had occurred than a few -expeditions to the other island, or a row on the lagoon. The Marquis, -her father, had been much blamed by his Spanish kindred for having sent -for his daughter from Spain; but his reasons had been, besides his -natural affection for her, a fear that after her mother's death her -uncles might marry the young girl to one of their own friends and pass -it off as an order of the King. Till now Del Campo had certainly not -regretted the step, for he wished to keep Felipa with him till she -should marry a man of his own choosing. In those days young girls were -promised in marriage to men whom they had never seen, and very often -their lovers were old and unattractive, though they were of course -wealthy or had some other recommendation in the eyes of the parents of -the high-born Spanish maidens. - -Felipa quite believed Carlo when he assured her and Etta that Santa -Teresa was much too strong and well-fortified to be taken by even such a -large number of pirates as had now landed; so the fears of the maidens -were, in consequence, much diminished, and a good deal of curiosity -mingled with their sympathy at Carlo's disappointment. - -'After all,' said Felipa, who was not naturally brave, 'if Carlo had -gone out to fight the pirates he might have been killed, so it is just -as well our father waited for daylight, and to hear what Captain Morgan -had to say. Don't you think so, Etta?' - -'Brave soldiers never think whether they shall be killed or not,' said -Etta. 'I am sure the Captain's son is brave; he walked in with his head -thrown back, and looked so handsome.' - -'Oh, Etta, if any one is an Englishman you think he must be perfect,' -said Felipa, crossly. 'I tell you these pirates are all wicked, and -make war on defenceless women and children. That is unworthy of any -great nation.' But Etta retorted: - -'Nay, but the Spaniards are more cruel than the English.' They might -have gone on disputing over their nationalities had not Carlo -reappeared, carrying with him a document which he was trying to -decipher. - -'Etta, here, quick. This is crabbed English writing, and the Marquis -said that you were to help me to read it, and to write it out in fair -Spanish, so that the council may deliberate on it. The boy who has -accompanied the messenger cannot speak many words of Spanish, and will -do nothing but shake his head. If I had my wish I would have both man -and boy hung up on the tallest prickly palm of the estate.' - -Etta in the meanwhile was deciphering the words, which had been written -on the rind of the fruit of the cabbage-palm, which rind looked very -much like a piece of parchment, and was indeed often used instead of it -in the West Indies. - -The writing ran thus, though it took all the three some time to make it -out-- - - -'To the Spanish Governor of the Island of St. Catherine. - -'Hereby I, the world-wide famous Captain Henry Morgan, make known that -if within a few hours you deliver not yourself and all your men into my -hands, I do by my messenger swear unto you and all those that are in -your company that I shall most certainly put you and them all to the -sword, without granting quarter to any.' - - -Carlo flushed red with indignation when at last these words were made -out and translated, then hurried away to his father and the officers, to -give the writing into their hands. - -'These words are an insult to our great country, my father. I hope you -will give them a fitting answer. Such vile caitiffs deserve no pity.' - -'We must have two hours to deliberate on this paper, gentlemen,' said -the Governor, uneasily; 'for I hear there is great panic on the island, -and that the people are leaving their homes and flocking to the -fortresses. If so, a worse enemy than the pirates may trouble us, and -that will be famine. Go, Carlo, and tell the messengers to return to -him who sent them, and say that my answer shall be taken to Henry Morgan -by my own trustworthy messengers, but that they must be promised a -safe-conduct.' - -Carlo had nothing to do but to obey. He found the man and the boy in -the courtyard surrounded by a strong guard of Spaniards. He proudly -gave his father's message, but, thinking of Etta's words, he could not -help being struck with the noble bearing of the fair-haired youth, who -appeared to be much disturbed by the rude looks and taunts of the -soldiers about him, for he scarcely lifted his head till Carlo had done -speaking, when he suddenly looked up at him, as if he were going to say -something; but, evidently thinking better of it, he remained silent. - -'Marry, then, in two hours our Captain will expect your answer,' said -the pirate, 'and it were best not to trifle with him, as he is sure to -keep his word. 'Tis no time to dally.' - -'_Perros! nos veremos,_' exclaimed a soldier after Carlo had turned away -in silence--which words mean in English, 'Dogs, we shall meet you,' and -were accompanied by some insulting dumb show at the departing -messengers. - -After this the boy went back to the council-room; but what was his -surprise at finding it barred and bolted, whilst a soldier, who was -guarding it, said respectfully that the Governor's orders were that no -one might enter. - -'That does not include me,' said Carlo, angrily. - -'Pardon, noble Seor Carlo; the Marquis said, "Not even my son."' - - - [Illustration: _CARLO REFUSED ADMISSION_ (missing from book)] - - -Carlo turned away, too indignant to say anything in answer; and then he -went sorrowfully upstairs to get some comfort where he knew he should -always find it. He told the girls what had just happened, adding: - -'It is very unjust of my father.' Then, as Felipa blushed with sorrow, -he added: 'No, I ought not to say that, for I fancy he did not mean to -exclude me, only that stupid Luis wished to show his importance and -invented the order.' - -'Tell me, dear Carlo,' put in Etta, eagerly, 'did you speak to the -English boy? I saw the soldier escort him and his fellow down the hill; -and how I wished I could have had a few words with him!' - -'What! with a pirate, Etta? But would that I could go into the -council-room! If my father decides to despatch several hundred men, he -must give me the command of at least a little band. You should see how -well I could command.' - -'Your noble father only meant, Seorito, that you must not disturb the -meeting,' said Catalina, joining in; 'and I know there is a door at the -other end, which is made but of light bamboos, and you can hear well -enough there all that goes on.' Catalina spoke with so much certainty -that it seemed as if she had herself been eavesdropping. - -Carlo was delighted with the idea. 'Is that so, Catalina? The saints -reward you, you dear old woman! I will give you a silk kerchief worked -in gold thread the next time a merchant ship comes here from Panama. -Ah, Etta, I am afraid you will never see your fair English boy again, so -do not expect it, unless we take him prisoner; then I will spare him for -your sake. That is a bargain. Now, Catalina, come and show me your -secret way.' And delighted that he should not be quite excluded from -hearing the plans of defence, the eager Carlo followed Catalina, quite -believing that after all it was not his father but the stupid guard Luis -who had prevented him from joining in the council of war. He was, -however, soon to be undeceived. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - TREACHERY. - - -An hour later, when the Governor came out of the council-chamber and was -entering his own private room, he looked ten years older. At this -moment Carlo rushed into the room and threw himself at his father's -feet. - -Don Estevan looked much surprised, and the papers he held in his hand -shook visibly. - -'Father, you cannot mean it!' cried the Governor's only son, 'say it is -not true! There is yet time: the messengers have not yet started. I -beseech you think better of it. I heard everything.' - -'You heard everything? What do you mean, you insolent boy!' cried the -Marquis, angrily; 'you were not in the council-chamber. Get up, Carlo; -what is done is done for the best.' - -'No, no, it cannot be for the best to betray this island. The stratagem -you have suggested is unworthy of you; it cannot be true that Don -Estevan del Campo will allow those villains to take this fortress -without so much as a blow!' - -Poor Carlo was beside himself with grief; he had indeed heard only too -much from his hiding-place. The Governor had entirely lost his head, -and was unable to make up his mind to fight the dreaded buccaneers; and -now that he had found out their real number, and the number of their -ships, he could think of nothing but temporising with them. He had -forced the council to agree to send two messengers to Henry Morgan with -these terms: They were to say that, feeling himself quite unable to hold -the island against such a body of desperate men as Captain Morgan had -with him, the Marquis begged the Captain to use a certain stratagem of -war in order to make it appear to the people that the place was taken in -honest fight. Captain Morgan was, according to this plan, to come at -night to the bridge which divided the two islands, and here he was to -attack Fort St. Jerome. In the meanwhile the pirate ships were to -approach as near as possible to Santa Teresa and attack it from the sea; -also at the same time to land a body of men at a place hard by, called -St. Matthew. Here the Governor was to be intercepted on his way to Fort -Jerome, taken prisoner, and forced to give up the keys of the castles of -Santa Teresa and St. Jerome, and the possession of these two strong -places would virtually mean that of the whole island. There was to be a -feint, much firing on both sides, but no bullets were to be used; -moreover, they were to fire in the air, to make sure of no one being -killed on either side. - -This was the shameful plan of surrender that Carlo had heard his father -propose, and not only propose but enforce on the majority of the men -composing the council; though Don Francisco de Paratta and a few others -had firmly refused to give their consent to such a base affair. - -The Marquis also knew that Carlo, young as he was, was too bold and -fearless ever to give in his obedience to this idea, and for this reason -he had had him shut out from the deliberations. He was therefore all -the more indignant and angry when Carlo declared he had heard -everything, and his burst of indignation was terrible to witness. - -'You forget your position and mine,' said the unhappy Marquis in a -passion. 'What can you know, Carlo, of the defences of the island? How -can I consent to a general massacre of my garrisons, when by this simple -means we shall avoid all loss? And in a few days these wild robbers will -leave the island for other more profitable fields, and--but why should I -explain my reasons to you? What business had you to be eavesdropping? -Is that the conduct to be expected from my son?' - -Carlo did not seem to hear his father's personal abuse; his mind was -bent on averting the terrible blot which, if this plan were carried out, -must come on his father's name. However secret these negotiations might -now be kept, sooner or later they would become known, and the name Carlo -was so proud to bear would be for ever dishonoured. - -'Let me go and stop the canoe; or if it is gone, Andreas can easily -overtake the messengers. Father, be angry with me, do anything; but do -not let us sell our honour!' - -The Marquis was now in a worse passion than ever with his son who dared -to speak the truth to him. - -'Carlo, you shall not speak so! you forget yourself. Go from my -presence at once, sir, and consider yourself a prisoner on parole. Do -not leave your sister's dwelling-room till I give you leave; and -remember, if you disobey I shall have to show my son that he cannot -break my rules with impunity.' - -Carlo turned away, convinced now that his father could only be obstinate -and firm in the wrong place. Covering his face with his hands, the brave -boy sobbed as if his heart would break. He had dreamt of honour and -glorious deeds, and these dreams had only ended in a story of shame. -Going to his own room, he gazed down on the glorious tropical gardens -and woods of his beloved home, and caught sight of the Governor's canoe -starting off with two men in her carrying the fatal message. The clock -struck; the two hours allowed by the pirates were sped, and the Island -of St. Catherine was as good as taken by Henry Morgan and his thousand -men. - -How long Carlo remained sunk in deep despondency, with now and then -interludes of sudden impotent rage, he did not heed. He knew that the -sham attack would not take place till night, for evil deeds hate -daylight, and there was a long time yet before sundown. But, alas! all -the need for exertion was gone, all the motive for brave resistance was -taken away. - -'I will not be included in the treaty, however,' he thought suddenly. -'I have spoken against it, and I will use my bullets and my sword as a -good and honourable soldier should do.' Then, suddenly, the idea of -danger for his sister and Etta entered his head. Tales of captivity -endured by women and children when they fell into the pirates' hands -crowded into his head. How could he trust his father now? Certainly he -must be losing his mind: this was the only charitable way of looking at -his conduct. If this were the case, the welfare of Felipa was his duty, -and, slowly rising, he tried to wash away traces of tears which might -perhaps seem unmanly to those who did not know the reason. - -When he entered the room to which he had been sent as a prisoner, the -girls at once noticed the expression of his face. - -'Carlo, what is the matter?' - -'Surely all will be well now,' added Etta. 'We saw the canoe start with -the answer. Ah, those robbers will understand we cannot be taken in -brave Santa Teresa, whatever they may do.' - -'I should think not!' said Catalina. 'Those infidels don't understand -that the saints protect us. So you heard the deliberations, Seor -Carlo?' - -'Yes, well enough; but look, Catalina: suppose these pirates should get -the better of us--for they are reported to be very strong--is there any -place where you and the girls might hide? My father is so busy giving -orders that he has not time to attend to all these matters.' - -'No need to prepare for the impossible,' said Catalina; 'Jos told me -that if Santa Teresa were besieged for a year it would be of no use; we -have fleet Indians who can pass through the forest, and could bring in -food unseen by any horde of pirates. So, Seorito, do not disturb -yourself about us.' - -'But impossible things, as we call them, do happen, Catalina, and it is -best to be prepared. Well, anyhow, I shall go out to fight to-night; for -it is then the attack is expected, and then I will win a right to my -knighthood.' - -'There is the great cupboard in this chamber,' said Catalina, 'into -which opens the secret staircase. Few of the men know it, but the -Marquis told me of it. That is safe enough. If any steps are heard -without we can easily run down the stairs, and a door there leads to the -dungeons below. Never fear, Seor Carlo; old Catalina doesn't mean to be -taken by men who would think nothing of murdering me unless they wanted -a wife.' - -'Dear Catalina, you must never marry,' said Felipa, kissing her old -nurse, 'at least not a pirate: I could not spare you. But do leave off -talking of danger, Carlo, when there is none. You frighten us for -nothing. Look how lovely the garden is after last night's rain: the -tamarind has spread out all its leaves to show us it is fine again. How -I long to go out and have a game this morning!' - -'And did you hear that Andreas killed a fer-de-lance snake this -morning?' added Etta. 'He says it is bad luck and an evil sign, but I -told him it was a good thing to kill those wicked, poisonous creatures.' - -Carlo hardly listened to these remarks; he was thinking only of the -coming calamity; and though the affection of two girls comforted him he -could not join in their laughter. They no longer feared the terrible -pirates, and were anxious now to be allowed to go out into the wood. -But as the only gate Santa Teresa possessed was closed, with strict -orders to let no one in or out, they had to content themselves with -sitting at the open window whilst the sounds of soldiers' clashing -armour and noisy drill, mingled with loud orders shouted hither and -thither, only increased their excitement. - -Then the sun went down on the beautiful island and darkness fell on the -exquisite landscape. Carlo dared not leave the room till he knew his -father had gone forth with his band of men towards St. Matthew, which -was but a little further down the coast, and was not difficult of access -by the sea-shore. - -As time went on the confusion increased, and no one seemed inclined to -go to bed. At last the Marquis collected his men; and though Carlo -could not see much from his position, yet as he looked down from the -window and saw the torch-light fall on his father's face he would hardly -have known him, so changed was he. Carlo knew now that there was no -help for it; he must only be thankful that he had heard of the treachery -and that he was not himself starting out on this mock expedition as he -might otherwise have been doing. This fact surprised the girls much. - -'I cannot think why you are not going, Carlo,' said Felipa, very much -disappointed at all the fine words of her brother ending in his merely -gazing out of the window; 'and is it not strange father has not come to -wish us good-bye? Catalina says he told her it was not worth while, as -he would be home again so soon. But he might have let you go with him -if there is so little danger.' - -Etta said nothing, but Carlo saw that she also was much disappointed. -Yet, for all this, he dared not betray his father: it was better to be -thought a coward himself than to bring blame and discredit on the famous -old name of Del Campo. - -So the boy walked up and down the room, whilst the girls told each other -stories in order to keep awake--so anxious were they to hear the first -news of the defeat of the rebels. Then after a time the guns of St. -Jerome were heard booming through the night air, and all rushed to the -window--to see, however, nothing but the darkness. At the same moment -there was a whisper heard through the keyhole, and they recognised the -voice of Andreas. - -'Seorito Carlo, are you here? Come quickly, in the name of Heaven and -Santa Teresa! Do not be afraid; it is I--Andreas. Open the door.' - -Carlo rushed to the door and seized the faithful Indian's hand. - -'What is it, Andreas? Speak quickly.' - -'There must be some treachery, Seor, for a party of pirates are -climbing up towards the castle, and the guards below have disappeared -from the walls.' - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - A BRAVE DEFENCE. - - -When Carlo rushed away, an impulse to follow and see what was taking -place seized the three whom he left behind. A strange silence had come -over the castle. The moon was just rising and throwing a faint light -over the forest; but nothing could be seen save the tall palms and the -luxurious undergrowth in dark masses against the clear sky. - -'Seorita, come here!' cried Catalina, hurrying to another window which -looked on the sea side of the castle; and as the two girls hurried after -her they beheld the bay below; not silent and calm as usual, but with -the pirate boats busily plying backwards and forwards towards the shore -lower down. - -'What does all this mean, Catalina?' said Felipa, clinging to her nurse. -'Where is my father? And what did Andreas mean by coming to fetch -Carlo? What shall we do? Etta, are you frightened?' - -Etta was braver than Felipa, but at the same time she understood better -the dangers of this attack; and yet she had heard so decidedly, and felt -sure Carlo also believed, that Santa Teresa was too well fortified to be -taken by assault, that this sudden call from Andreas was a mystery to -her. - -'I don't understand what can be the matter. Catalina, let me run down to -the courtyard: I will be but a few minutes, and I shall find some one -there who will tell me. Pedro is always kind to me, and he will tell me -all he knows.' - -'But the pirates,' cried Felipa--'if they come they will kill you! No, -no; stay with us. Come away, Catalina, and let us bolt ourselves into -our room.' And the girl tried to drag her nurse away from the window. - -But Etta smiled. - -'I tell you, Felipa, the pirates cannot come into this place. It would -take months to force a passage through the walls, and the gate is too -well guarded. I will run down and ask Pedro what Andreas meant.' - -Catalina would have liked to go herself, but did not know how to leave -Felipa, who was sobbing from fear of she knew not what horrors. Yet -poor Felipa, as she crouched near the window with her hand in that of -her nurse, could not help admiring the courage of her English -playfellow. - -'Carlo admires Etta because she is brave,' she said to Catalina; 'she -never thinks of danger for herself. I would so gladly not be afraid, -but I cannot help it.' - -'Never mind about being brave, my darling; that is for men and not for -girls. What would the men have to do if we women were as bold as they -are themselves? You see, the Seora Etta is English, and the people in -her country are not as civilised as we Spanish folk. Dry your beautiful -eyes, dearie, and don't be frightened. The noble Marquis will soon be -returning, and then we shall find out that he has trapped all these -wicked robbers, and that not one remains alive.' - -Thus comforting her much-loved young lady, Catalina soon forgot her own -fears till quite five minutes had passed away without the reappearance -of Etta. What could the girl be doing? And why was there suddenly such -a silence about the place? Catalina would not have been so brave had she -known the truth or witnessed the assault that was now taking place at -the gate of the outer wall. - -When Etta ran down she was surprised to notice how few of the garrison -could be seen. The loopholes from which poisoned arrows could be shot -were deserted; the entrance to the council-room and the arsenal also -remained unguarded. She could make nothing of it, so she had wrapped -her dark mantle round her head and shoulders hoping to escape notice; -but, to her great astonishment, none of the usual servants seemed to be -about. She now hastened to the door that led into the courtyard. It -stood open and the soft night air blew in. - -'Pedro!' she called softly; but no porter answered. Even the Indian -slaves were gone. Etta's curiosity was now fairly awakened. It could -not be possible that the castle was deserted, and that she and Felipa -were forgotten by every one! - -'Carlo!' she cried louder, 'Andreas! Pedro!' No answer, and the girl -stepped out into the courtyard and walked a little way down to the -second gate. Then sounds indeed reached her ears: the clashing of -swords, the loud tones of angry voices, the waving of torches, and the -shrill whoops of Indians, mingled with many fierce English oaths. - -There was no longer any doubt: the enemy, by some means, which of course -Etta could not understand, had forced the passage leading over the ditch -to the great gate, and were now between that and the inner courtyard, -where, as Etta knew, no one remained to defend the gate of the castle -itself. Her first impulse was to rush back and fly to some safer place; -but so frightened was she that she felt hardly able to move; and at that -moment, gazing at the small mass of struggling beings, she saw Carlo at -the head of some dozen Indians barring the way before a far larger -number of the enemy. This glance showed her also the form of the -English lad; so much slighter and so much fairer of face than any about -him that she could not mistake him as the torchlight fell on him. - -'Carlo! Carlo!' she cried in her agony. No sound came back in answer -but the yells and cries of the two parties; and with the instinct of -helping her dear Felipa she at last found strength to turn away from the -terrible sight and to fly back to the gate and so up the stairs, and as -she ran she called out, 'Shut the gates: they are coming! They will -soon overpower our people. Quick, make haste! Pedro, where are you?' - -And still repeating these words, Etta dashed into the dwelling-room, -looking so excited and pale that there was no longer any doubt that the -worst had happened, as she exclaimed, 'We are lost! The castle will be -taken! What can we do?' - -Nor had brave Etta been mistaken. When Andreas had come to fetch Carlo, -the faithful Indian had just discovered that the path known only to Don -Estevan del Campo and a few of those in authority had been betrayed. -Before he could do more than collect the few slaves and soldiers left in -the castle, and station them at the entrance to the weakest portion of -the wall, fetch Carlo as described, and with the mere handful of men -then available make a brave stand, the chief gate of the castle was -really taken. Andreas little knew that all his valour was useless; but -it was otherwise with Carlo, who, as he threw himself into the _mle_, -was conscious that no bravery could really be of any use. Indeed the -attack on this side was but a ruse, for another body of men were quietly -making their way to the principal gate of Santa Teresa, and were now -being let in by one of the Marquis's officers, whom he had easily -persuaded that a desperate encounter with these pirates would only -result in their all being taken prisoners, and most likely killed. - -It was Andreas who suddenly discovered the treachery, and, not -understanding the real meaning of the extraordinary events which were -taking place, now shouted to those about him that there was yet time to -stop the entrance of those rascals. - -In this rush Carlo was accidentally thrown down, and in falling his knee -struck against a rocky projection, so that for a few seconds he lost -consciousness. When he came to himself he tried hard to struggle to his -feet, for he beheld at this moment a boy suddenly spring over the wall -and come hastily towards him. Carlo heard the confused noise of the -assailants and defenders, who had passed on and left him, so that he now -found himself alone with a lad of about his own age, whom he had -previously seen, and who was doubtless Henry Morgan's son. - -Clenching his teeth, and grasping his sword, he tottered to his feet. - -'Rascal! infidel! son of a pirate!' cried poor Carlo, not caring what -names he bestowed. 'You may kill me, but I will sell my life dearly. -You at least shall not come further. Go and tell your father that Carlo -del Campo will not be a party to any treachery.' - -Carlo threw himself on the tall fair Englishman, and would have dealt -him a blow which would have been serious had not his injured knee proved -at this minute so painful that he missed his aim, and once again fell on -the ground. In a moment the supposed son of Henry Morgan was kneeling -by the brave Spanish lad. - -'Hold, sir,' he said, surprised at some English words that had fallen -from Carlo, 'you are mistaking me. I am no pirate, and will never draw -my sword in such an unlawful business. I am but a poor prisoner, though -kindly treated, and my name is Harry Fenn.' - -As he said these words Harry stooped down to pick up Carlo's sword, -which had rolled away from him as he fell, and gently gave it back to -the brave youth, who once more struggled to his feet, still blind with -rage and disappointment. - -'How can I believe you? That is a false story, some new treachery; no -one who is with these robbers can be trusted. Stand to it, fellow, or -yield to mercy; for you go no farther!' And, regardless of Harry's -explanation, Carlo once again prepared to attack his enemy; but he was -made more furious at seeing that his supposed foe was not even trying to -defend himself. - -'Stand to it, base scoundrel, and draw your sword if you have any spirit -at all; or, by St. Teresa, I must fall upon you!' - -Still Harry Fenn remained motionless. 'If you will not believe, it is -no fault of mine. I have vowed to use no weapon during my captivity--at -least in an unlawful cause.' - -Carlo dropped his hands, for this speech spoke more than weapons. A -true knight could not fall upon an unresisting foe; but it was a deep -disappointment to find Harry was no pirate. - -'But, indeed, Seor, let me help you back to the castle. Captain -Morgan's men are by no means particular, and might unintentionally hurt -you, though they have sworn to use no violence nor to fire at any one -this night.' - -'It is true, then, and you know it?' said Carlo, blushing with shame. -'This attack is all a farce, and our men are even now letting the -pirates into the castle--is it not so? Tell me all you know.' - -'It was the suggestion of the Governor; but I pray you make haste from -hence, or you may repent of it,' said Harry, wishing the young Spaniard -would retreat into the castle now, for he certainly was in considerable -danger. - -'And I am Don Estevan del Campo's son,' murmured the unhappy boy. 'Is -it true that you are none of them? If so, I will accept your help; for -my knee hurts me much, and I must get back to my sister.' - -With some unwillingness Carlo put his hand on Harry Fenn's arm, and in -spite of what had just taken place a sudden wave of sympathy seemed to -flow between them; each felt that among the crowd of fierce men they -seemed to be both of them sadly out of place. - -The central gate was now deserted; the pirates and the defenders had -both disappeared; so the two lads found no difficulty in entering -unperceived by a side door into the castle itself. - -'You are witness that I have never surrendered,' repeated Carlo several -times, afraid, in spite of Harry's kindness, that a trap was being laid -for him. - -Harry almost smiled as he answered in the affirmative, adding: - -'But how is it you talk English, Seor? Yesterday I could not make -myself understood; and had I known you understood my language I would -have spoken out.' - -'My father wished us to learn it. Here, this way; follow me, sir. I do -not know what has happened to the garrison, but I fear I cannot fight -with this horrid pain. Our men have outrun their fears.' - -The two now crept silently up a back way, avoiding the entrance-hall, -where, from the sounds that rose toward them, it was not difficult to -guess that the pirates were intent on refreshing themselves with what -good things Santa Teresa could provide, and making up for the privations -of the previous day and night by a carousal. - -When Carlo limped up to his sister's door, he found it strongly -barricaded within, and it was some time before Catalina could be -persuaded to open it and admit him. Then her exclamations knew no end. - -'Seorito! where have you been? And who is this young serpent?' she -added, looking at Harry; but as she spoke in Spanish he did not -understand her, though he noticed her look of disgust. - -'Hush! Catalina, where is my sister? and Etta? Have you heard no news? -Everything is lost, and this place is in the hands of the pirates. This -youth was the same one Etta saw. He is a prisoner, he says. If so, he -is a fellow-sufferer; and just now he behaved with much courtesy.' - -'Come in, then, and let me bar the door once more. Oh, the noise those -wretches have been making. It is as if all the demons were walking -below. My poor Felipa is well hidden in that cupboard, and I made Etta -go there too. Alas, alas, that I should be alive to hear such things! -But, anyhow, they must kill me before they touch her. My _cara_ Felipa! -I believe she will die of fright.' - -Harry Fenn stood by during this conversation, much perplexed at all he -saw; for he did not understand that the Marquis had not acquainted his -son with his treacherous surrender. His surprise was still greater when -in another moment Etta, hearing Carlo's voice, appeared out of the dark -cupboard where Catalina had insisted Felipa and Etta should hide, when -on the return of the latter she had understood that something -extraordinary was happening. - -'Carlo, tell us--but, oh, who is this? The English lad? Are you -Captain Morgan's son? No--it cannot be; for then you would not be here, -nor would you look so kind.' - -'You were right, Etta; this English lad is a prisoner, and has kindly -helped me up here; otherwise I should be still lying under the wall, or -perhaps I might now be killed by those wretches.' - -Harry Fenn was delighted at finding himself face to face with a -countrywoman of his own. It seemed almost a miracle to be in a room -again--a room which spoke of civilised and refined life, and which -contained an English girl; for there was no mistaking her nationality, -though she immediately informed him of the fact. - -'I knew you were no robber when I saw you come to the castle. I am an -English girl, and a prisoner here.' - -'Etta, what foolish talk!' said Carlo. 'As long as I am here you are no -prisoner.' - -'But tell me how you came to be with that dreadful Henry Morgan,' cried -Etta, much excited. - -By this time Catalina, having gathered that Harry was no enemy, thought -that he might be hungry, and brought out some bread from a cupboard; and -the poor fellow fell upon it with such evident hunger that Etta's heart -was touched, and she continued to talk to Harry. - -'Those wicked men have, then, starved you?' she asked, as Carlo, having -had his knee bandaged by Catalina, went into the large cupboard and -tried to persuade Felipa to come out, for at present there was no -visible danger. - -'Not more than were all the others; the men all share and share alike; -and when we were on the marsh, with the rain falling upon us, we were in -such a bad plight that the men began to grumble finely at Captain -Morgan; indeed, if a body of Spaniards had appeared at that moment we -should never have reached this place. I can tell you Captain Morgan was -glad enough to get the Governor's letter; but he laughed in his sleeve -when he found his threats had been taken in earnest, for they were but -bravado.' - -'Oh, hush! don't tell Carlo all this,' said Etta quickly; 'he is so -brave and good, and wished to go out this morning against them. But the -place must have been betrayed, I think, for all said it could never be -taken.' - -'Ay, so it was, young mistress; and, now I see it contained such brave -people and one of my own countrywomen, I am sorry enough; but before, I -was right glad, for we suffered a great deal. Yet I ought to be used to -suffering, for all this is nothing to the grief I had when these men -kidnapped me from my home. And never a word have I been able to send to -my parents that I am alive and well; for they take care I get no chance -to speak with any passing ship.' - -'But mine were killed,' said Etta, feeling as if she had known Harry a -long time. 'It is five years since I have been a captive here. You do -not know, I dare say, that this island was in the hands of pirates at -that time. There was a Sieur Simon ruling it for the pirate Mansfelt, -who was, they said, never happy except at sea. But the Governor of -Costa Rica determined to take back Saint Catherine, and when the pirates -heard this they sent to ask help of the English Governor of Jamaica, for -he was said to sympathise with them. He refused, and pretended to have -nothing to say to them; but he hired a merchant ship, as if for honest -trade, and fitted it with stores, and put in some of the pirates that -found shelter in Jamaica, and gave them and the captain private -instructions. My father, who was an honest merchant, never knew of -this; and, wishing to take my mother and me to Costa Rica, took passage -in this same ship, but on nearing the island the Sieur Simon came aboard -and begged the crew to sail into harbour. Yet it was all a wicked -device, for the Spaniards had already possession of the island; so that -when we landed we were all seized and taken prisoners. My father and -some of the others defended themselves bravely, but they were -outnumbered before our eyes, and were killed. Mother and myself were -brought to one of Don Estevan del Campo's fortresses, and she died of -grief there after some weeks. Then the Marquis said I was to be treated -well, for he wished me to become the playfellow to his daughter and son -who were coming here shortly, so that I might teach them English. Before -her death my mother gave me letters and directions, telling me if ever I -could get back to my relations in England I was to do so. But how can -I? We are indeed both alike prisoners, and I see no chance of getting -away.' - -Harry listened to Etta's story with much surprise; it made him see that -after all he was not the only English sufferer even in these distant -islands, and that others had had a much worse fate--for he had been well -treated. - -'But they are kind to you?' he asked, glancing at Carlo, who, having -persuaded Felipa to come forth from her hiding-place, was sitting with -his arm round her near the window and telling her of his meeting with -the English youth. - -'Kind? Ah, yes. I love Carlo and Felipa dearly, and old Catalina is -not harsh; but I am afraid of the Marquis; I can never love him, for he -looks upon me as one of his slaves.' - -'He must be a false Spaniard, a feeble scoundrel, and no true -gentleman,' said Harry decidedly, and then in a few words he told his -own story, and how, in spite of being such a favourite with Captain -Morgan, he had sometimes much to bear from the rough men. At this -moment, however, Carlo jumped up and exclaimed: - -'There is my father returning, and, gracious saints, he is a prisoner!' - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - IMPRISONED. - - -Before anything further could be said on this matter Pedro's voice was -heard at the door, and when Catalina was assured that he was alone she -let him in, being herself very curious to know the ins and outs of the -occupation, and, as the Marquis had really returned, what was expected -of her and her charges. - -'Thank heaven, Pedro, that you have come up! Tell me what all this -means, and are we to be roasted and eaten alive by those cannibals, who -are, I suppose, gobbling up all our stores?' - -Pedro's face was doleful in the extreme, and not at all reassuring. - -'In truth, Captain Morgan is our master now; and so I suppose we must -make the best we can of the matter. He is very angry at the death of -one or two of his men, and says we have broken our engagement. As if -one could make engagements with such paltry ragamuffins! It seems we -were never meant to resist, but I said it was by your orders, Seorito. -You remember that you would insist on taking us out to the walls, though -our orders were to do nothing. Anyhow, Captain Morgan wishes you, Seor -Carlo, to come and deliver up your sword to him at once. He was going -to send some of his drunken fellows to fetch you; but, thinking of the -ladies, I interfered, and I said you would prefer to come of your own -accord.' - -'Let me come with you, Seorito,' said Harry Fenn, thinking that he -could perhaps soften the Captain's wrath, which, he had learnt by this -time, was not to be despised, especially by a Spaniard, who would find -but little favour in the English pirate's eyes. - -Felipa, pale and utterly miserable, tried to dissuade her brother from -going down below, but in vain. Carlo did not know the meaning of the -word fear. - -'No, no, dear Felipa; that would be the action of a coward. Besides, -you might suffer for my refusal. This captain shall see that I am not -afraid of his threats.' - -'You will petition Captain Morgan for Carlo, will you not?' asked Etta, -turning towards Harry. 'How is it that he lets you have your own way?' - -'I know not. He took a fancy for me and calls me his godson, which is a -title very little fitting. I often think that if my poor father could -see me, and kind Mr. Aylett, they would indeed be astonished; and yet I -have tried to do my duty and not forget my God and country in the midst -of this godless crew. But trust me, even if I did not like this bold -young Spaniard, I would do my best for your sake, young Mistress -Allison. You should have seen how he scorned to budge a step.' - -Etta smiled at these words, and then said impulsively, 'Call me Etta, -and I will call you Harry Fenn. Seeing you is almost as if I were at -home among my relations, who, my mother used to say, would love me -dearly and would not let me want.' - -But there was no time now for more words, even though the young people -seemed to have much to say to each other. Carlo followed Pedro and -Harry, feeling altogether angry and ashamed of his position. He was, -too, a little jealous of Etta's evident happiness at talking to one from -her own country; and besides, he could not bear to feel that he was -himself virtually a prisoner in his own house; and yet, thought he, 'I -have never delivered up my sword, and I have never owned myself -defeated.' As for his father, he could not bear to think of him as a -traitor to his king and country. - -When they entered the hall Carlo was dismayed by a sight such as he had -never expected to see in Santa Teresa. - -Some long wooden planks had been laid on trestles and placed in two rows -down the hall, and round them sat some forty or fifty of Captain -Morgan's chief men eating and drinking voraciously. A dozen or more of -the negro slaves waited on them, filling up their goblets when empty--a -duty which was by no means light or infrequent. At a smaller table at -the upper end of the hall Captain Henry Morgan was also enjoying what he -considered a well-earned breakfast; for daylight was beginning to flood -the hall, showing that the long night of anxiety was over. In the sky -beautiful clouds tinged with every conceivable shade of crimson and gold -were making lovely backgrounds for the tall palm-trees and the other -forest giants; but of all this beauty the soldiers and the buccaneers -thought nothing. Henry Morgan was anxious, now that he was in -possession of the island, to secure it permanently for future need, and, -as soon as he could, to send on some of his men in search of still more -booty, the thirst for gold in these pirates being quite unquenchable. -After a moment's pause Carlo walked proudly up to the top table, bent on -showing no fear; yet what made the deepest impression upon him was, not -the sight of the much-dreaded sea-robber, but that of his own father -seated opposite to the foe, and being treated apparently, not as a -prisoner, but as a friend, by the man whom Carlo hated as being both a -buccaneer and an Englishman. - -The poor Marquis, however, could not be said to look happy; he carefully -turned away from Morgan, and now and then rose hastily from his chair -and paced nervously up and down the small platform, muttering audibly, -'I did it for the best. There has been no massacre of the people. Who -will dare to blame me? How could I do otherwise? Why has Don Francisco -left me, and where is my son?' - -'Marry! here comes the culprit!' cried Captain Morgan, seeing Carlo -approaching. 'Seor Governor, I suppose this young sprig is your son, -and the one who led the assault before sunrise? The young scoundrel has -a puissant sword and despiteful ire.' - -'My son knew nothing of our plans,' said the poor Marquis, who in spite -of his own conduct could not help feeling proud of his boy. - -'Then, i'fecks, you should have told him. Some one is answerable for the -death of two of my men and the wounds of several more.' - -'Here, young sirrah! What's your name, and what do you mean by having -gone out to prevent the entrance of my skirmishing party, when they held -a pass from the Governor himself? Speak out, silly coxcomb, and tell me -who set your thoughts agog in this manner.' - -'I knew nothing of the pass,' said Carlo haughtily, 'and I was bound to -fight in the defence of the castle. We give no quarter to our foes.' - -'Marry! proud as a strutting peacock, eh? Ah, well, we'll soon teach -you better. How now, Harry--what hast thou been about? Thou shouldst -have taught this young pate more wisdom. I'll have no jesting from such -a stripling.' - -Harry did not answer, thinking silence the wisest course. The curious -fancy which Captain Morgan had taken for the kidnapped lad was -apparently without rhyme or reason; for Harry, though respectful enough, -had never yet been made to act against his will and his conscience; and -when some of the men would have liked to use brute force, and shake what -they called the young fool's stubborn will out of him, Captain Morgan -always interfered; he would not have the lad touched, he said, and -whoever did it would have to answer personally to him. - -Carlo, the Spaniard, however, touched no chord of sympathy in the -Captain's breast. He heartily despised the Governor, who had been such -a weak tool in his hands, and was rather glad to punish him through his -son, as he had given a sort of promise that his person would be safe -from insults. - -'Ignorance is a very convenient excuse, young Seor. By my faith, you -are answerable for the death of two of my men, and should by rights be -hanged on one of your own bananas; but, considering your youth, I will -merely imprison you in your own castle. Deliver up your sword to me, -sirrah! and, marry, you may thank me for dealing so leniently with you; -'tis more than you deserve.' - -Henry Morgan spoke fluent Spanish, having had to mix much with the -various traders of the West Indies. Harry Fenn, who could not well -understand the language, though he could see the angry frown on the -Captain's face, looked from the latter to Carlo, wondering what was -being said. Then he suddenly saw the young Spaniard angrily lift his -head and clasp his right hand upon the hilt of his sword as he -exclaimed: - -'I did but my duty, Seor Captain, and I will never deliver my sword to -any man, least of all to such rascals as you are.' - -'Carlo, it is best to obey; pray do not anger the Captain,' called out -his father anxiously. 'Silly boy! what can you do against all these -men? If you persist you must abide by the consequences.' - -At these words Carlo hung his head, but he did not answer, nor did he -look at all as if he meant to give way; so that now Harry Fenn clearly -understood what was taking place, and secretly much admired the Spanish -boy; but he knew only too well that in the end he would have to yield. -As well try to bend a full-grown oak as turn the iron will of Henry -Morgan. - -'And what good will that toy blade do for you?' asked the pirate -captain, laughing scornfully; and when he laughed he was more to be -dreaded than when he swore. 'It is no tried steel, young jackanapes, -but a somewhat spick-and-span new plaything.' - -'I demand a free pass for myself, for my father, and the women in this -house,' said Carlo, not daunted, but flushing with anger; 'for it is a -shame to remain under the same roof with such as you.' - -'A shame! Come, enough of thy vapouring and huffing! We'll see whose -shame it will be. Here, Cross, Simon, Watkins: seize that young scorpion -and fling him into the dungeons here; for I guess there are some down -below in which brave Englishmen have before now groaned away their -lives. "A tooth for a tooth" is no bad saying, and in the dark thou -mayest learn that "haste makes waste."' - -'Prithee, Captain,' said Harry, rushing between Carlo and the advancing -men, 'spare this young Spaniard: he was as brave as a lion under the -walls, and bravery ought to find favour with you--he rallied a mere -handful of men when there was no hope for him.' - -'Pshaw, Harry! away, boy, and mind thine own business. I hear there are -girls here, and that one is an English prisoner or slave: go and tell -them to come here--that is work more befitting thee--and leave this boy -alone.' - -[Illustration: _CARLO BEFORE CAPTAIN MORGAN_.] - -In a moment Carlo was seized by the three strong, lusty men; his sword -was wrenched from him; and with two long Spanish scarves his arms were -bound tightly behind him, and in this helpless state he was dragged from -the hall; whilst the Marquis, rising to his feet, protested in vain -against the outrage to his son. The truth was that Captain Morgan -wished to make an example of some one, and Carlo, being the Governor's -son, would satisfy any murmurs his men might be inclined to raise at the -death of their comrades. - -All was now noise and confusion, for the men began loudly to make all -kinds of requests to the Captain; and, seeing nothing would be got out -of them in the way of going to seek for cattle and provisions in the -island till they had finished their feast, Captain Morgan (who was a -very abstemious man himself) left the hall, begging the Marquis somewhat -roughly to show him over the place and to give him all the keys of the -stores. Harry Fenn was also commanded to be of the company, which -request he was glad enough to comply with, so as to get away from the -sight of the carouse and the sound of the rude jokes and laughter. - -In the meanwhile Carlo, struggling bravely to the last against his fate, -and angry and indignant at his treatment, was carried down to the -dungeon below, old Pedro being forced to show the way. Presently, after -passing through dark passages, the porter opened the door of a cell-like -chamber where no light was visible, and which looked most unfit for a -living being, much less for the delicately nurtured Carlo. - -'This is the only dungeon I know of,' grumbled Pedro; 'and many a pirate -has made acquaintance with it,' he added in a low voice. 'Would that I -could lock up many more!' - -'I fancy this will be good enough,' said Simon in a French accent. -'Here, fellow, give me the key and let me lock it myself; there's no -treachery these Spaniards are not equal to. Bum! that will do; the -silly boy is safe enough.' - -'Take it, then,' growled Pedro, 'it locks well enough;' but as he -delivered up the key he thought with a smile on his face, 'but there's -sometimes more doors than one even in a dungeon.' - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - A FELLOW-COUNTRYMAN. - - -The Indian slaves, who had been scattered like thistle-down in a wind -during this memorable night, now began to creep back to their various -stations and occupations at Santa Teresa; and from them poor Catalina -learnt, with more or less exaggeration, all that had taken place during -the memorable night, and that it was the Marquis himself who had really -betrayed them into the enemy's hands. - -The faithful servant would not abuse her master; but, taking Felipa's -head in her arms, she sobbed over her as if this shower of tears would -make matters better; at the same time pouring out all her information, -which was no comfort to the poor girl. Etta meanwhile stood by, pale -and calm, quickly trying to form some plan which would comfort gentle -Felipa. - -But when all at once the bad news reached them that Carlo had been -thrown into a dungeon, and that the pirates had the keys, and, further, -that Captain Morgan was on his way to pay the young ladies a visit, Etta -could not help feeling afraid, though she made up her mind that she -would not show it. She felt very proud of Carlo, and was somewhat -comforted by the idea that kind Harry Fenn would help him if he possibly -could. - -Etta possessed one of those natures which troubles only strengthen. Her -captivity, kind though it had proved for her, had not made her forget -her religion and her country; yet now she was anxious to do her utmost -to return gentle, timid Felipa's love; so she did her best to cheer her -with hopeful words, and not to give way herself to fear. - -'Do not be afraid, Felipa darling. Captain Morgan cannot eat us, you -know, and he will not dare to do us any bodily harm, for your father, -the Marquis, is still a free man. Besides, the pirates want food, Pedro -says, and when they have that they will most likely go away. Why could -we not send Andreas to warn your uncle of this assault? He is a good -man, and would send us help.' - -'Well, Seorita, that is a good idea, which never entered my head,' -cried Catalina; 'but where, in the name of all the saints, shall we find -Andreas? The Indians are terribly afraid of the pirates, and are trying -to hide in the woods; for I have heard they were very cruel to them the -last time they were here.' - -'You know, Felipa, that Carlo has taught me the peculiar whistle which -will bring Andreas to the foot of the south window,' said Etta. 'If he -is still in the neighbourhood he will hear it, and he would take his -canoe to the mainland and warn your uncle, the Governor of Chagres--I am -sure he would.' - -'But how could he leave his own castle?' answered Felipa. 'Dear Etta, -you are so hopeful and clever! If this could really come to pass! Poor -father would be glad, I am sure; for he must already be sorry all these -horrid men are in our hall. Yet he did it for the best.' - -This talk was now interrupted by the tread of footsteps without. The -girls had not been to bed, and were still in the sitting-room. Felipa -turned pale, and tremblingly clung to Catalina till she recognised her -father's voice in the passage, though the tones were sadly changed. - -The sun this morning shone gloriously in upon the frightened group as -the unhappy Marquis and Captain Morgan entered. Felipa at once ran up -to her father and put her hand into his, asking in this mute way for his -protection; but Etta, who was never at her ease with the Spanish -Governor, stood alone by the window. Yet, in spite of her inward fears, -she could not help feeling some curiosity at the sight of the dreaded -pirate about whom she had heard so much. - -After all, the buccaneer was not as dreadful as she had expected; and, -even if his appearance were somewhat strange, yet Etta felt she was in -the presence of one of her own countrymen; and her fears were further -dispelled by the sight of her new friend, Harry Fenn, close behind the -Captain. As for Catalina, she turned her face to the wall and audibly -muttered her prayers, or perhaps they were curses, on the intruder. - -'This, Captain, is my daughter,' said the Marquis, speaking in a very -nervous manner, 'and this other maiden is the English girl I mentioned. -Her father was an English merchant, and was killed here in fair fight; -she will tell you she has been very kindly treated.' - -'Thou canst speak thine own tongue, I hope?' said Captain Morgan; 'if -so, tell me thy name, little countrywoman. I trust thou hast not -altogether forgotten the speech of merrie England.' - -'My name is Henrietta Allison, and my mother told me our family was from -Kent; but oh, Sir Captain, will you release Carlo? Do not take his -words amiss, for he is as brave as any Englishman, and I should be loth -that my countrymen did him any harm.' Etta spoke with vehemence; her -love for Carlo made her bold, and she altogether forgot her fears. - -Captain Morgan frowned a little as he said, 'Marry! An overbold English -girl, I see. That young ragamuffin has only got his deserts, for it -always goes ill with a son who does not follow his father's footsteps. -But I like a wench that is fearless. Speak up, girl, and tell me if -thou hast any other boon to ask.' - -'If you will not grant me this one, I will have no other,' replied Etta, -her flashing eyes saying far more than mere words. - -'Marry! That is showing a fine spirit! Nay, nay, Mistress Henrietta -Allison, keep your angry looks for those who will be distressed by them. -Eh, Harry, hast made friends with your countrywoman? Stay here, boy, and -learn the courtly manners of the Spaniards, which, by my troth, our -rough fellows sadly lack. Now, please you, Seor, we will finish our -inspection of the castle; for as soon as my men have become rational -creatures again we must proceed to business. I fear I must disarm all -the inhabitants, and for mere form's sake I shall need to examine a few -prisoners. I must find, moreover, several bold spirits who will -faithfully show me the way to Panama; for I've sworn to take that city, -and "St. Catherine" shall serve as the war-cry of Morgan's men. Adieu, -fair maids; and do not distress yourselves about your companion; a few -days on bread and water will kill no lusty knight who has been routed in -battle.' - -So saying, he led the way out, and intimated with a wave of the hand -that the Marquis was to be his guide. Don Estevan del Campo staggered -out, feeling now, at last, that he had indeed made a mistake. Rather -would he have perished sword in hand than have heard that the -inhabitants were to be made prisoners, and examined, most likely, under -torture. His peace had, indeed, been bought dearly! - -'Do not be unhappy about your brother,' said Harry kindly, approaching -Felipa; 'he will be safe enough so long as the Captain is within this -place, and so long, too, as he bears his captivity patiently. That is -Captain Morgan's way; he cannot bear to be thwarted; yet I have known -him do kind deeds when he was in the humour for it.' - -'But I have a plan, bold Harry Fenn,' said Etta, now all eagerness to -carry out her ideas, 'only--may we trust you? You will not betray us.' - -'You forget what I have told you. I take no part in the affairs of the -buccaneers; I do not betray their secrets, because that would not be -honourable, but far less would I betray yours. I work enough for -them--work that pays for my victuals; but I will not help in their -robberies.' - -'Forgive me, Harry,' said Etta frankly. 'We are afraid of every one -now; yet we heard truly how you defended Carlo. Felipa, where is the -parchment? You must write to your uncle at once, and let the writing be -very small, for Andreas must carry it in his mouth; he says that is the -only safe hiding-place.' - -Felipa sat down to write a few words to her uncle Don Alvarez, Governor -of Chagres Castle; whilst Catalina, who could not write at all, looked -on, giving her advice freely. Etta in the meanwhile told Harry of her -plan, but she did not notice the start he gave as she mentioned that Don -Alvarez was Governor of the castle of La Chagres, and a noble and brave -gentleman who had sometimes paid them a visit at Santa Teresa. - -When the note was at last written hopeful Etta went softly out of the -room to the end of a long passage. Opening a little window, she -imitated the peculiar whistle which Carlo had taught her, and which was -his signal between Andreas and himself. Harry had accompanied her, and -he seemed as anxious as she was about the arrival of the faithful -Indian. - -'Did the Seorita Felipa,' he asked, 'say in what distress you were, and -what was the reason of your needing help?' - -'Nay; she said merely, "We are in great sorrow: come at once," and then -something more about her poor father,' said Etta; and Harry could not -help admiring the golden hair and sunny face of his new friend. - -But though Etta repeated her whistle no one appeared for a long time, -but just as she was giving up in despair all hope of seeing the Indian, -she noticed Andreas below creeping towards the verandah which he was -accustomed to climb in order to get within hearing of Carlo. Now, -however, he merely shook his head and whistled softly a few notes which -meant 'Come here at sunset'; and with this she was obliged to be -contented, knowing that only real danger would keep him away. - -'I fancy he is watched,' said Harry; 'to-night he had better escape, if -he is wise.' And then, very sorrowfully, the girl led the way back to -the sitting-room. - -The girls dared not step out of their own chamber all the -morning--indeed Catalina kept good guard over them, so that it was some -comfort to listen to Harry Fenn's adventures and to hear what he liked -best to talk of--the account of his home life. Felipa could not quite -understand how he could be so clever, being neither a noble's son nor a -young priest; but Etta had English ideas, imbibed from her parents, and -her love of England made her listen eagerly to Harry's talk of the old -church on the hill and of the learned and kind Mr. Aylett, who had -taught him so much and whom she hoped to see some day. And, further, as -misfortune draws hearts together, he told Etta of that last day at home, -and how he had made the effort of renouncing his roving wishes, and yet -how he had been forced to cross the ocean and see strange new sights in -spite of himself. - -'I have had it often on my conscience that God was punishing me for my -many discontented thoughts,' said the boy; 'and yet I think Mr. Aylett -would not put it so. He must have told my parents that I was willing to -stay.' - -'No, no; he could not blame you,' said Etta, clasping her hands, 'for -then you would have also to say that God is punishing me for having been -often in a passion when I was but ten years old. We must always be -friends now, Harry, for our stories are much alike; but some day you -will get back home, and you will tell your parents all you went through -and of all your adventures, and then you will remember me and send some -good merchant to take me away from St. Catherine to my uncle's house in -Kent. I will show you the letters I have some time.' - -'If an English man-of-war was to touch here, then I would run away,' -said Harry. 'I have never given my word not to escape.' - -'And did you really always say your prayers?' said Etta under her -breath, who looked upon Harry as a very saintly hero. 'For sometimes I -have forgotten them when nobody reminded me; and you must have found it -very difficult.' - -'Nay, but without them I think I should have despaired entirely.' - -Catalina now broke in upon their talk by saying, 'Come, young -Englishman, if you are as friendly as you pretend, why can you not get -my poor Carlo out of that dungeon? He will die there, for I am sure -those ruffians will give him no food.' - -'I will do my best,' said Harry, 'and anyhow I will bring you news later -in the day; and I will go now and see if I can do aught with the Captain -for him.' - -When he was gone, Felipa and Etta fell fast asleep on a low couch, being -quite wearied out with the events of the long night and morning, and so -for a little while they forgot their troubles. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - THE SECRET PASSAGE. - - -Etta's courage came back with new energy after her long rest; the -presence of Harry Fenn in the castle seemed to lessen the dangers which -now evidently surrounded the little party; and, at all events, so long -as he was here they would not be left in uncertainty. But it was nearly -sunset before any one came to break their solitude in the sitting-room. -At last there was a sound. - -'Hish! Open: it is Harry Fenn. Have no fears.' - -Etta ran to the door and let him in. He had a basket in his hands full -of fruit, and also some bread, on which Catalina seized with joy. - -'I knew you must be hungry,' said Harry, 'so I took these when no one -was looking. All the slaves are working with unusual activity. In -truth, the Captain has enough to do, and the Marquis has been sent to -San Salvador to make the garrison deliver up all the guns that are -there. It is sad to see him so cast down.' - -'But what other news is there? Can we soon go out of this room? It is -so cool under the trees, whilst here we are so hot, and everything is -miserable,' said poor Felipa, who felt the burden of her life greater -than she could bear now her father was away and Carlo in prison, and she -herself was not far removed from being a prisoner. - -'I fancy, Seorita, that in a few days Captain Morgan will have decided -something. He found great difficulty to-day in preventing his men -scattering themselves after booty. All the main forts are in his hands, -and he is busy ordering the removal of guns and ammunition to the fleet; -and those who will show him hidden treasure get a title to his favour. -You can see some of the ships from the windows of this castle. As soon -as he can finish this work, I expect he will set sail. He does say he -will not leave a musket in the island; but I fancy some of the negroes -have already hidden away powder and muskets, for the men are inclined to -handle them too roughly.' - -'They may take all the guns they like,' said Catalina impatiently, 'if -they will release the Seorito Carlo to me. I wish I could hang up -these villains on our tall groogroos!' - -'Unfortunately the man who has the key of the Seorito's dungeon has -gone away to the other island,' said Harry, 'but as I passed by the gate -just now an old man asked me if I would tell the nurse Catalina that the -young Seor was not so fast locked but that she could get at him if she -so wished. I know not what he meant, but I thanked him for his good -offices.' - -At this Catalina clapped her hands, saying that Pedro was more cunning -than he seemed to be, and that Carlo need not now starve; but no one -understood her. - -'It is close on sunset,' said Harry to Etta, 'and if you are going to -keep your appointment with the Indian, I would like to come with you. I -suppose you are sure he is to be trusted, for some of these Indians are -none too brave, our men say, and fly like crows when they smell powder.' - -'Andreas! Yes, indeed, he loves Carlo as his own son. They often have -gone hunting together.' - -So the two returned softly to the place of meeting at the window above -the verandah, and, after waiting till the sun had sunk and darkness had -suddenly come on, they heard the sound of soft whistling, and in another -moment Andreas had swung himself over the balcony and stood by their -side. - -Etta seized his hand. - -'Good Andreas, do you know all our misfortunes? Seor Carlo is still in -the dungeon, the Marquis has gone to deliver up some guns, and if it -were not for this kind friend we should be almost forsaken.' - -Andreas made a low salutation, but, all the same, eyed Harry rather -suspiciously. - -'Do not be afraid,' continued Etta; 'he is a prisoner as we are, and -will help us. Look, Andreas, could you manage to escape and take this -note of the Seorita Felipa to her uncle at the Castle of Chagres? He -would bring us help if he knew how badly we wanted it.' - -Andreas shook his head. - -'It is impossible, I fear. I am only at liberty because I can be useful -with the cattle and the horses in the compound.' - -'But, good Andreas, you cannot know how important it is that this -Spanish gentleman should know that Captain Morgan has taken St. -Catherine,' said Harry quickly. 'If you cannot go, could you find some -one else? Surely we have had enough horrors here and elsewhere,' he -added, half to himself. - -'The blacks cannot be trusted, and none of my tribe would care to go. -However, give it me, Seora; if I cannot go no one shall take the -writing from me.' And with this Etta had to be satisfied; but she added -in English: - -'If Andreas says no, it means no; for he is the cleverest and bravest -Indian there is in all the island.' - -'When do you think the pirates will go, Andreas?' she asked anxiously. - -'The Captain is asking for men who know the roads on the mainland. I -believe they intend to attack Panama; and yet that is a big rich city, -and is not badly defended, so that I can hardly believe that such is -really their intention.' - -After this, Andreas said he must not stay longer, as he was obliged to -go back to the compound, but that he would come the next day at sundown -to the same place, if in the meanwhile he were unable to escape from the -vigilance of his new masters in order to go to the mainland, where, some -short distance down the Chagres River, stood the castle of that name, -strongly garrisoned by Spanish soldiers. - -As Harry and Etta returned towards the sitting-room the former promised -he would come back early the next morning and bring what food he could -find, only begging that the Seorita and Etta would not dream of showing -themselves below stairs; for indeed the scenes that went on--the -drinking, swearing, and quarrelling--were no fit sight for them--'or, -indeed, for any Christian man,' added Harry. 'They will soon fall to -and begin to cross their cudgels, fancying they are full of wit and -valour; though, indeed, there are many who have only joined them because -misfortunes have come upon them in the old country, and they fancy this -wild life is better than starving. Some, too, were trained to fight in -the late wars, and say that life is naught without a sword and a -war-cry; yet I know that many of them disapprove of the cruel deeds they -see.' - -'But you would escape if you could?' asked Etta. - -'Yes, indeed; but Captain Morgan knows that, and I feel sure I am often -watched. Good-night, Mistress Etta. I will do my best to free you out -of this distress.' - -Etta found on her return that everything looked more cheerful, and -indeed Felipa ran towards her friend and began kissing her as she -laughed and cried alternately. - -'What is the matter? what has happened?' said Etta; for Catalina looked -just as happy, and was praising all the saints in the calendar. - -'Catalina is so clever and so good! Fancy! she has seen Carlo, and, -look, he has shared our supper!' - -'Where is he? have they freed him?' - -'No, no--hush!--but it was good Pedro's doing; they made him show them -the way to the dungeons, and he got him locked up in the cell that has -another door into it, and we can get at it from here. You know that -nasty dirty little staircase which we were always afraid of? Well, that -leads to his cell. In former times, Catalina says, they used to go down -from here and try to get the secrets out of the prisoners by making them -false promises. That is why there are two doors in it.' - -'And have you seen him? Oh, Catalina, let me go down at once and speak -to dear Carlo! He will know now we are going to send a message to Don -Alvarez, for Andreas will try hard to get away.' - -'No, no, Seorita, you must not go now. I crept down like a snake, and -found my poor boy crouched in a corner quite faint for want of food. -How he started up when I pushed back the sliding panel! and, in truth, -he was ready to fight me, fancying I was a pirate come to murder him. -And when he saw it was only old Catalina he nearly cried; though he -laughed, too, afterwards. He knew I could not see the tears, mind you, -in that dark hole. Well, he ate the bread and fruit in a very short -time, and asked no end of questions, poor boy, and sent an especial -message to you to tell you he was not so badly off now he could hear -news of us. It was as good as any feast, he said.' - -'But, Catalina, why did you not bring him here? We could hide him, I am -sure we could; and if not, he could escape by the balcony.' - -'I suggested it to him, but he was wiser. "My jailors may come at any -moment," he said, "and then, seeing me gone, they would soon search and -discover the door, and no one can tell what they might then do." Ah, he -is a brave youth; it is a pity his father is not like him.' - -It was indeed a great comfort to feel that their Carlo was so near to -them, and at all events would not die of starvation, as there was before -much chance of his doing if left to the tender mercies of his captors, -who were now beginning to recover from their carousal, and were being -sent to all parts of the two islands with orders to drive the harmless -inhabitants in to the various fortresses as if they had been cattle, and -to treat all who resisted the appropriation of their goods as if they -were rebels. - -It was decided that Carlo could not be visited again till a late hour -the next morning, for fear of any one being discovered in the cell. -Etta, as more agile than Catalina, was then to visit the dungeon; and, -much comforted, the three this evening knelt down to pray together that -God would deliver them from their sad plight and take care of their own -dear Carlo and the Marquis. - -Felipa was very fond of her father in spite of being a little afraid of -him; he had always been indulgent to her, and she fretted at seeing -nothing of him. The truth was, that the Governor preferred even looking -after the betrayed fortresses to seeing the sorrow of his children; and -he was much afraid Felipa would reproach him for having allowed Carlo to -be imprisoned. - -As the girls would not leave the sitting-room, through which alone they -could get at Carlo, Catalina spread some mattresses on the floor for -them; and this evening they slept soundly in spite of their many -misfortunes. - -They were up at sunrise, and were all impatience for the first tidings -which Harry had promised to bring them; but when at last they heard his -voice, and let him in, he was not in a very cheerful mood. - -'When is Captain Morgan going away?' asked Etta, whose sweet face and -golden hair made Harry hunger all the more for his home, in order that -he might send or fetch her. 'Make haste and tell us good news. I have -a lovely plan for saving you from these people, Harry Fenn, but I dare -not tell it yet I would dearly love to hear their hue and cry after you. -How they would boggle at finding you gone!' - -'You need not make plans for me, Mistress Etta: the Captain has even -just now told me that he wishes me to go aboard one of his ships. He -knows I will not fight, but he would fain make me act spy on the others. -But see, this is all I could find for you, Catalina. Here are some yams -and bananas and bread. I wanted to bring you a cooked fowl, but one of -the men was angry at what he called my huge appetite. They think that -as I will not do all their work I must not eat the good things, and that -I am not worth my provender, as they put it.' - -'But when shall you go?' asked Felipa, who looked so much more cheerful -this morning that Harry could not help noticing it. - -'No, no: you must not go!' said Etta, seizing his hand. 'Stay with us, -and we will send you back to England. The Seora Felipa will ask her -father, and when the pirates are gone----' - -'Thank you for your kind good offices; but your plan is impossible, for -Captain Morgan does not mean to leave Santa Teresa just yet; he is -sending out four ships and a boat to try how he gets on in those parts.' - -'Where?' - -'That I durst not say, Seora; it was only by accident that I overheard -it; but I know that, in the future, the Captain's mind is set upon -taking the great town of Panama.' - -'He will never do that,' said Felipa, tossing her head. 'There is a -strong garrison there, and His Catholic Majesty would never forgive them -if they allowed it to be taken by such needy gallants as your crew.' - -'That is what I think too, Seora. However, I dare say our ships will -come back from this lesser expedition somewhat humbled and crestfallen. -At present their pride knows no bounds. But, dear ladies, I am sorry to -say that I am the bringer of evil news, which it goes against me to -tell; but it is best to know the worst. I heard Captain Morgan say that -the Seorito Carlo was to be released this morning and to be taken on -this expedition, because----' - -'Oh, how dreadful! Carlo to go with all those wicked men! Nay, I know -he will never consent,' cried Felipa. - -'But in truth he will be less likely to get harm than in those damp -dungeons below. I reminded the Captain that the Seor had had no food, -and that men would cry shame on himself if the Seor were to come to -harm.' - -'Thank you, Sir Harry, for your kind intentions,' said Felipa in her -somewhat quaint English, 'but indeed I had rather my brother were in the -dungeon than out at sea with such knaves as these buccaneers. Cannot -you obtain this boon from your captain for us; for if my brother goes -what shall we do?' - -Harry would not tell her he had no power; so, promising to do his best, -he hurried away, not daring to stay longer. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - A NEW EXPEDITION. - - -The hours wore away very, very slowly for poor Carlo, who in his damp -dark cell reflected with bitter shame on the departed glory of his name. -Moreover, it was hard to bear this terrible confinement; and now and -then the thought would pass through his mind that he had been a fool for -his pains, for his resistance had done no good to any one, and had put -him into a very luckless place and a miserable condition. But Catalina's -visit and the discovery of the secret door, though it opened only from -the outside of the cell into the narrow secret passage, took away all -the feeling of loneliness, which is almost unbearable to the young. Now -all was different. Upstairs and not far from him there were those who -cared for him; and, to say the truth, the food Catalina had brought very -much contributed to his more cheerful spirits. When first imprisoned -there had been no time to do more than thrust the boy into the cell, so -he was free to walk the two steps which were all that the width of the -place allowed; but it was a comfort to feel with his fingers for the -slight marks of the secret door, and to place his ear against it, -listening intently for coming footsteps. - -This morning, however, it was in the outside passage that he first heard -sounds; and presently the key creaked in the lock, the bolts were drawn -back, and a rough voice called out with a seasoning of oaths: - -'Here, young cub, take this loaf; it's none of the newest, but good -enough for young teeth; and here's water to wash it down with; for, ay, -marry, it's all you'll get till to-night, when the Captain has ordered -your release. Maybe by then you'll have learnt to cudgel less and show -less paltry spite.' - -Carlo's heart beat fast, for the very idea of once more seeing the sun -and enjoying the lovely sights and sounds of the tropical world made him -happy. No, he did not now regret his conduct: he had vindicated his -honour, and the price was not too great. He longed to know more, but of -course he would not ask this fellow for any news, so he received his -communication in silence. In consequence of this he was favoured with -another volley of opprobrious titles, which he bore with patience, as -beneath the notice of a nobly born Spaniard. - -When this visit was over, Carlo set himself again to listen for more -welcome footsteps; but it was only after an hour had elapsed that he was -rewarded by hearing, not Catalina's heavy tread, but a gentle well-known -footfall. It was Etta, who after some difficulty managed to slide back -the secret door; and, peering into the darkness without at first seeing -anything, she exclaimed: - -'Carlo, are you there? Oh, how dreadful! Here, dear Carlo, take this -bread, and a fresh banana; for you must be very hungry. How glad I am -that you will not be here much longer! And yet----' - -'How do you know, Etta? Was it Harry Fenn that told you? Will they -give me back my sword? and where is my father?' - -'We know hardly anything; for though of course we are not in this horrid -hole, yet we are as much prisoners as you are, my poor Carlo; and if it -were not for Harry Fenn we should have had to go down to the hall -amongst those rough men and beg for bread. Even Catalina dare not do -that, for she cannot abide their rude jestings.' - -'Never mind: when I am released I shall teach those ruffians manners and -see that you are not neglected,' said Carlo, still a little jealous of -the doings of this new Harry. - -'But, Carlo, did they not tell you? You are to be put aboard one of the -pirate ships and to show them the way somewhere; and indeed you must put -a good face on the matter for fear they should handle you roughly.' - -Carlo was struck dumb at this news; but at last he burst forth with-- - -'The rascals! What! do they think they are going to use me as a guide -to some other unfortunate Spanish settlement? That they never shall. -They may tear my limbs, but for such knaves----' - -'Hush, hush, Carlo! What if they heard you! But Harry Fenn is to go -too. He knows nothing of your father or of what has happened to him; -and, alack! poor Felipa, who was so glad and happy yesterday, is now -all-sorrowful again. Dear Carlo, when you are aboard try and bear their -raillery and stuff your ears, and---- But I dare not stay longer, -Catalina is so frightened lest I should be discovered here, or for fear -we should receive a visit from the Captain upstairs, and he would -assuredly ask what had become of me; so good-bye, dear Carlo! Do not be -rash; for, in truth, they may put you on the ship, but they cannot make -you speak, and you do not know the roads of the mainland, so you can -easily baffle these boors. Ah, now, I was forgetting to tell you that -Felipa wanted to come with me, but Catalina would not let her. She sent -you all her true love.' - -So these two took leave, and Etta, drawing back the tiny door and -replacing the bolts, ran lightly upstairs, having put Catalina in a -great fright; for hardly had the door of the dark cupboard out of which -the turret stairs descended been shut when voices were heard close to -the door of the dwelling-room. The old woman was much excited as she -exclaimed-- - -'St. Teresa save us! Etta mi! What heart-palpitations you have given -me! Quick, child! lie down on the couch and hide all the cobwebs and -dust which are on your petticoat.' - -Etta did so, trying to conceal her smiles; and Catalina threw a lace -shawl over her, Spanish fashion; so that when Captain Henry Morgan -entered, followed by a gentle-looking Frenchman, only the most natural -sight in the world met their eyes. - -'Marry! see you, Sieur Maintenon, here is the dovecot I mentioned; but -the dovelets are not so young but that they can coo. Prithee here, my -English maid, and tell me anything thou canst of the mainland. Was thy -merchant father wont to trade there? If so, he must often have landed -at Panama, where rich stuffs are much _ la mode_ and prized.' - -Etta was forced to get up; but Catalina, pretending to help her, -privately shook as much dirt as she could from her petticoat. - -'No, Sir Captain, my father was an honest merchant who traded among the -English isles, Jamaica chiefly, and took trips to England, but he never -meddled with the Spanish settlements.' - -'Was it so? My experience is that merchants are glad to trudge wherever -they can get gold coins. But you, Seorita, you have sometimes left -this island? Speak plainly, for I like not capricious or saucy -maidens,' said the Frenchman in soft Spanish tones to Felipa. - -'Never, Seor, except to go a visit to my uncle, the noble Don Alvarez, -Governor of the Castle of St. Lawrence, which some call the Castle of -Chagres because of the river of that name; and I wish heartily that I -could let him know now of our distress.' - -'Marry! pretty dove, do not have the doleful dumps on that score, for -such a message will not be difficult to deliver,' laughed Captain -Morgan; 'the little Seorita can give it to that valiant warrior her -brother, for I purpose despatching four of my ships there this very -evening.' - -Felipa and Catalina lifted up their heads in horror, and the former -burst into tears as she exclaimed, 'You will go to Chagres and attack -the great Don Alvarez! That cannot be!' - -'Why not? Before the whole cheese is taken one must taste a little bit -of it and see if it is good. From Chagres we can easily cross the -narrow neck of land, but we want good guides to traverse that marshy -region. Know you any such?' - -'I will send and warn my uncle,' said Felipa proudly, drying her tears; -'he is better armed than we were here, and he will receive you in a -manner you will not like--that I can well foreknow.' - -Captain Morgan nodded to his companion. - -'So said I, pretty maid. Mark you, Maintenon, I will tell Captain -Brodely to keep the ships well together; I hear from that vile caitiff -Espada that the mouth of the river is dangerous, and that there are -several gunboats stationed there.' - -'And if it were not,' put in Felipa incautiously, 'the castle is on the -top of the mountain and can never be taken. My uncle Don Alvarez will -not be deceived by your tricks as was my father, and your fair promises -will be laughed to scorn by him, for he will fight to the death.' - -'Thank you, pretty Seorita, for your advice. I will not forget to tell -my men what kind of brave gentlemen they will have to meet; an we are -worsted we must yield on honourable terms. But, doubtless, your brother -will tell us more. I'faith, Maintenon, I must see that the ships are -well manned and victualled: it does not do to trust any one but oneself -when there is much risk in an enterprise, and, for all we know, a mortal -crisis and some mangling of Christian bones.' - -So saying, the Captain moved away, and smiled as he noticed old Catalina -in her corner busily muttering her usual imprecations against him. When -not thwarted Henry Morgan was an agreeable man with much sense of -humour; and it was partly this that had enabled him to keep his -heterogeneous horde together, though quarrels were frequent enough, and -led, as he said, to bangs and knocks sufficient to harden any softer -fists. - -There was much indignation and many exclamations of despair from the -girls and their old nurse when they were once more alone, which were -only calmed when Felipa indignantly remarked: - -'My uncle Don Alvarez will never be conquered by such people, and dear -Carlo will see him and tell him, when he has routed these knaves, to -come to our help. If only I could see my brother!' - -But it was not thought prudent to descend again after the narrow escape -Etta had had, for they could not tell at what hour Carlo might be -released. - -'May the good God take care of my dear boy!' sighed poor Catalina, much -depressed. She was feeling that her responsibilities were almost too -great, and she heartily wished the Marquis would come back and take care -of his children. Happily, till now Felipa had not fretted too much, -though the poor girl was beginning to show signs of fatigue and anxiety. -She was far more delicate than sturdy English Etta, whose spirits soon -reasserted themselves and made her inclined to forget the dangers that -still existed. - -In the meanwhile Carlo waited impatiently in his cell for the time when -he should hear the steps of a pirate coming to release him; for now, -having thought the question out, he had come to the conclusion that he -had best take the matter quietly. Not being a prisoner on parole, he was -free to escape, and perhaps he should soon find some opportunity of -doing so. Once free, he believed that the faithful Andreas could hide -him in the woods till such time as peace was restored. He had leisure -now to make many reflections as to the future; but at last he heard -footsteps in the passage outside. His heart beat fast, though he tried -to appear cool. He could not guess the time of day, but he felt sure it -was not far off sunset, when at last his door was hastily opened and a -man told him roughly to get up and follow him. Carlo did so. He was a -little stiff, and almost blinded by the light; but it seemed like a new -life to be breathing once more the fresh air, and to feel the warm glow -of the sunshine through his chilled veins. At the end of the passage he -found several other men awaiting him; but they did not pinion him as -before--an insult Carlo would have found it difficult to forgive. - -'Quick, young Seor, this way; we have no time to waste. We want no -idle vermin among our crew.' - -It was fortunate for Carlo that Etta had prepared him for this new -bondage, or he might have refused to follow the buccaneers out of Santa -Teresa. As it was, however, he would not obey quite silently or without -protest. - -'Where are you conducting me?' he asked, 'I demand to be taken to my -father.' - -'Very likely, sirrah; but those are not our orders. Marry! it's best to -ask no questions when one is Captain Morgan's prisoner, else some -inquisitive knaves have learnt what it means "to swing like a skipper."' - -Carlo thought this advice wise, and followed it. - -Presently he saw that the men were joined by a fellow he knew well, -Espada, who had evidently turned traitor. Carlo had seen him last at -the Platform, and he was horrified to hear him say he was prepared to -guide the men by a narrow path which led down the face of the steep -cliff, and which they could not have found unassisted. It was by no -means a pleasant descent, but it saved a few miles of walking, and, once -at the bottom, they found a canoe awaiting them. With a heavy heart -Carlo saw the massive walls of Santa Teresa disappearing. After a short -row the boat he was in was moored alongside one of the pirate ships -stationed just outside the bay, and he was bidden to scramble up a very -rude rope ladder on to the deck of the ship, which, he found, was called -'The Falcon.' - -'Is Captain Brodely on board?' asked the escort, 'for here is the son of -that craven-hearted Governor. By my faith! a valuable cargo, I take it; -for he's to serve as guide, and to be hostage for the Marquis's good -conduct in the future. Now then, young sir, on with you this way. And -best budge quickly; for there's to be no tricks here, remember, or it -will be the worse for you.' - -Poor Carlo! his Spanish pride inwardly rebelled; but, true to his -resolution, he replied nothing to all these taunts. The Captain was too -busy to attend to him, so he was presently locked up in a small cabin -where the spirits stolen from Santa Teresa were stored; still he could -see the dancing waves through the tiny port-hole, and, compared to the -dungeon he had just left, this place was indeed like a palace, though -the only pieces of furniture were barrels of wine and spirit-kegs, in -which the Dutch carried on a brisk trade, and which therefore received -the name of Hollands. - -When darkness fell over the beautiful shore the noise on board in no way -diminished, and such a shouting and holloaing was heard that it was easy -to see the pirates were in high spirits, and thought themselves -invincible and able to do as they liked. - -After a time Carlo fell asleep, and was awakened only by feeling himself -gently shaken. He started up, and saw by the help of the moonlight the -kind face of Harry Fenn bending over him. - -'You here! Thank God!' exclaimed Carlo. 'At all events these wretches -will not murder me without some one knowing of it and reporting the -crime!' - -Harry laughed at Carlo's somewhat moody ideas. - -'Oh, Seor, in truth you are safe enough now we have started, and I am -bidden to ask you to come and sup in the Captain's own cabin. He is -under strict orders to treat you well when once we are out at sea. And, -look you, Seor: these men have not been told that you can understand -English, so prithee keep the secret. They all come from the bigger -island, and were not at Santa Teresa. Later on we may find it -convenient to understand each other in English whispers. At present, -remember, I only know very few Spanish words.' - -Carlo nodded, and with new hope followed the English boy into the -Captain's cabin. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - THE ESCAPE. - - -Captain Morgan had done wisely in thinking that it was quite necessary -for him to have some base of operations on the mainland before crossing -the narrow neck of land which separated him from the coveted prize, the -city of Panama. It was for this reason that the expedition under -Captain Brodely was sent out, whilst he detained the rest of his ships -at safe anchor at St. Catherine, and also kept his men in good temper by -letting them do as they pleased and ransack the two fair Spanish islands -of this name. - -Captain Brodely was a daring seaman, who had seen before now the inside -of Spanish prisons, and knew the ground round about Panama pretty -accurately; but the Castle of Chagres was on the opposite side of the -isthmus, and the river Chagres, which flowed at the foot of the hill on -which stood the castle, was difficult to navigate, and great care would -therefore be needed to steer the ships into safe anchorage. The Captain -had been told that the Marquis's son knew well the castle and its -surroundings; but when Harry Fenn entered his cabin accompanied by -Carlo, the sturdy rover looked with scorn on the slight stripling whom -Captain Morgan had sent him for guide. As hostage he might be all very -well, but for aught else the Englishman preferred trusting his own good -sense to the doubtful information abstracted from an unwilling prisoner -whose Spanish blood prevented him, in the eyes of Captain Brodely at -least, from having any regard for truth. - -Carlo found himself, therefore, treated with silent contempt rather than -with severity by his new jailor, and as the 'Falcon' bounded over the -water he could not help feeling happier than in his dungeon, wondering -much how it was that he had appreciated liberty so little until now. - -After the first interview he received no special orders, nor was he -expected to do anything; so, wishing to be alone, he retired for the -night under a bale of goods stolen from one of the fortresses in St. -Catherine. Harry Fenn, however, soon joined him, and the two spent the -rest of the night by no means unpleasantly under this shelter, which had -the merit of being out of the way of the crew. The next morning land was -dimly in sight, and they expected to strike it in the afternoon; so -before this time the Captain had several confabulations with his men. -They knew that their ships were certain to be seen, so that it was -hopeless to attempt to creep up in the dark unperceived, as their own -safety required them to use the daylight. - -Chagres, as has been said, was built on a high hill close to the river; -it was surrounded by strong palisades buttressed with earth, and a ditch -thirty feet deep defended its near approach. It had but one entry, and -that reached by a drawbridge over the said ditch. Four bastions looked -landward and two seaward. On the north side ran the river, and on the -south the hill was too steep for any invader to climb. At the foot of -the mountain was another fort with eight guns commanding the river, and -two other batteries were placed a little lower down. This, then, was the -well-fortified place which the pirates were now determined to possess -themselves of; and no wonder that Carlo spoke rather scornfully to Harry -of the expedition as an impossible and rash dream. - -'My uncle, Don Alvarez, is as wise and brave a man as can be found in -all the dominions of the King of Spain,' he whispered to his companion, -when the two were left alone, unnoticed by the excited sailors. - -'I have seen enough of these men, Seorito, to make me disbelieve in -nothing. They will leap down headlong into danger, and get up unhurt. -But I see they are not making straight for the mouth of the river; -doubtless we shall land a little way off, so as to avoid the fire from -the fort.' - -'If I could but warn my uncle!' said Carlo earnestly. 'Look you, Master -Harry Fenn, I will give you a handsome reward if----' - -Harry tossed back his fair hair even as a young colt who is galloping -before the wind, as he answered: - -'You forget, Seor, that though I may be among thieves, yet I am an -honest Englishman, and I take no reward for doing what I can. I am no -knave that gripes after a reward.' - -Carlo saw that he had insulted the boy who had saved his life, and with -his usual impetuous generosity he apologised fully. - -'Indeed, indeed, I meant no harm. I am sorely troubled; but you at -least will forgive me. This luckless affair has made me foolish.' - -Harry was easily pacified, and he himself at once suggested a plan by -which Carlo might accomplish his purpose. - -'Look now, Seor Carlo: when our ships come to anchor, they will put -more than half the men ashore in order to carry the castle by assault, -and they will not trouble themselves much about us, I see. If we could -escape then, and go faster than the attacking party, we might do some -good in warning Don Alvarez.' - -'Yes, that is indeed a first-rate idea, and that also reminds me that, -close by the landing at the foot of the castle, there is a small steep -staircase cut out of the solid rock. I have often climbed up by it for -quickness when I have been staying with my uncle and was late for -supper. If we could somehow get there, trust me to distance them. What -think you of this possibility?' - -Harry's smile showed that he appreciated the idea, so they were soon -deep in ways and means; for they could not help entering into the spirit -of the attack, now that they were planning a counter-expedition of their -own. Very soon there was more than enough excitement, however. Their -ships had been discovered, and the pirates seeing the enemy's guns begin -to play upon them, Captain Brodely clearly understood it was useless -attempting to enter the river, so the ships bore down on a small port -about three miles from Chagres, and when the sun went down they lay at -anchor. There was to be no rest for any one that night. All was bustle -and confusion, some of the crew declaring they would land, some that -they would find it easy to run the gauntlet of the forts; and among all -this discord the Captain had more than enough to do to keep the peace, -and some show of authority. - -'Now, Seor, here's our time,' said Harry, with eagerness, for some of -his fresh ardour and adventurous spirit was returning now that he could -lawfully indulge it. 'We can take a small boat from our masters; or if -not, perhaps we can swim to shore from here and walk along the coast, if -that is possible in the darkness.' - -'Yes, for the tide is low; but the moon will soon be up, and then trust -me for the rest. But how shall we baffle the men?' - -'The men are too busy to notice us. I can let myself down by a rope. -Or wait--I will hold the rope for you, and when you are in the boat, -which is moored below, I will let myself down. But cut the rope as soon -as you are in, for I can swim out to you.' - -'But the sharks--are you not afraid of them?' asked Carlo, who knew that -these dreaded enemies had always to be taken into account. - -'They are less likely to be about at this time,' said Harry, cheerfully; -'but of course I must chance them. "Nothing venture, nothing have," is -an English proverb which the buccaneers certainly act upon.' - -In truth, Harry's plan was very cleverly thought out. The pirates, -aware that no enemy would dare to come and attack them after dark, had -let down their small boats and canoes, and were busily preparing -everything for an early start. - -Carlo now nimbly scrambled down, helped by Harry's steady hand, and -safely descended into a canoe which was tied to the ship, and which was -ordinarily used for running up narrow creeks in the islands. Then he -crouched down and waited breathlessly for Harry to follow; but, to his -horror, he suddenly heard voices above, and distinctly caught Harry's -words, evidently meant for him to hear-- - -'I shall stay here as long as I choose: don't wait for me. Off with -you: your business brooks no delay.' - -A gruff voice answered: - -'Marry! but you'll come with me too, young Pug-robin; the Captain says -there's a good deal to do in stowing away the provision for to-morrow, -and idle hands are not wanted here. Those that won't work can filch no -booty.' - -Then came the sound of retreating footsteps, and Carlo knew that all was -up as far as Harry was concerned; so, cutting the rope, and not caring -much whether he were discovered or not, so desperate had he become, he -took the oars, and as silently as possible he shot off into the -darkness, going, as far as he was able to judge, straight for the shore. - -No one, however, seemed to have discovered his escape, for he heard no -hue and cry raised, nor sound of pursuers; and this fact, after a time, -raised his spirits. Happily, his expeditions with Andreas had made him -a skilful oarsman, and when the moon rose he was able to see that he had -got well forward and was out of sight of the pirates, having turned -round a projecting cliff, and being now well in sight of the river's -mouth. - -If only Harry had been with him Carlo would have thoroughly enjoyed the -adventure. He was so sure that, once in Chagres Castle, he should be -safe and free, that he was all eagerness to push on. - -'I shall save my uncle, and be ready to fight for him,' thought he. -'Ah, if only my father had not been so deluded, perhaps Chagres would -not now have to defend itself against this fierce horde.' - -With these thoughts mingled ideas of the praise he should receive, and -also sad remembrances of the desolation of his own home, and of the -terrible story which he should have to tell his uncle; but he had -immense faith in Don Alvarez, and longed for his advice and kind -sympathy. As he neared the shore he saw that great excitement prevailed -there, the authorities fancying he was a pirate ambassador come to -parley; for the arrival of the ships was known, and a strict look-out -was kept. A boat full of soldiers was immediately dispatched, and was -soon alongside of him; and the astonishment was great when the men saw, -on close inspection, that the boat contained only a young fellow rowing -himself to shore. At last Carlo, by dint of showing he had nothing with -him but food, and that he was in reality only the son of Don Estevan del -Campo, was allowed to land. Then, fearful of some ruse, the soldiers -surrounded him, and took him before the officer who was now on guard at -the lower fort. Fortunately, this latter had once seen Carlo, and then -all were intensely eager to hear the news. After hastily telling the -bare facts, Carlo hastened up the rocky stairs, accompanied by a -soldier, who took the precaution of bringing a safe-conduct, signed by -the superior officer, for the edification of the porter; otherwise there -might have been some difficulty in entering the castle, so watchful and -so suspicious had every one become on hearing of the approach of the -dreaded pirates; for the name of Henry Morgan was sufficient to cause -almost a panic in a Spanish garrison. - -The surprise and pleasure of Don Alvarez and his gentle wife, Doa -Elena, can easily be imagined when they saw their nephew, and heard of -his marvellous escape from the pirates' ship; but the outline only of -the events which had taken place at St. Catherine could be now -discussed, Don Alvarez being so busy and eager to do everything in his -power to repulse the enemy. - -'From what you say, Carlo,' said Don Alvarez, 'the buccaneers cannot be -here till the afternoon, for the roads hither from the bay are almost -impassable since the rain. That will give us some few hours before -sunset to rout them. I doubt much if there will be any left. For my -part, I call it a most impudent assault; but I shall use every -precaution, and not fall into the error of my poor brother-in-law; for, -in truth, to parley with such fellows is to disgrace the Spanish flag.' - -Carlo retired to rest, kindly tended by his aunt, who rubbed sweet -ointments into his blistered hands and provided him with clean linen and -a new doublet of sturdy buff; for, in truth, Carlo was hardly -recognisable after all he had gone through, and his clothes were much -torn and soiled. - -'God has indeed taken care of you, my brave Carlo; you have the true -Alvarez blood in your veins. Your uncle will not forget your brave -conduct; and directly we are delivered from these men, he will go over -to St. Catherine with sufficient force to restore order and to give back -the island to its proper masters. My heart grieves sore for my poor -little Felipa.' - -'They will indeed be glad to see him, and you too, Aunt Elena; but -Felipa and the English Etta have been civilly treated. Only, it seems -to me that these pirates think that so long as they have enough to eat -it does not matter if others starve. If it had not been for Harry -Fenn--him I told you of--the girls would have fared badly enough. But I -am as sleepy as a porpoise. Do not forget to wake me early, and you -will see how I will fight these jailors of mine, and pay them back their -cudgelling with interest.' - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - DEFENCE TILL DEATH. - - -It was two o'clock before the look-out from the castle discerned the -approach of the pirates, and then all was activity. Carlo, having no -fears, and being, besides, well rested and fed, was all eagerness for -the first encounter. But Doa Elena had asked him to accompany her into -the church built within the palisade; and there, kneeling down, both -begged for a blessing on the Spanish arms. Carlo thought too of his own -desolate home, and this rather calmed his spirits. He wondered much -what had become of Harry Fenn, and whether he had been left behind or -forced to march to the attack. On the face of it, nothing could have -been more foolhardy than this expedition; and so thought the pirates -themselves as they at last, after a dreadful journey through mire and -mud, came in sight of the strongly fortified castle. Many a stout heart -wished at that moment that the owner thereof had not been quite so -clamorous in insisting on being chosen as one of the storming party; but -no one dared to put these thoughts into words, for to turn tail now and -receive the gibes and scorn of those they had left behind was not to be -thought of for a moment. They were now in an open space at the foot of -Chagres. The enemy at once opened fire upon them with more or less -effect, and to pause at that moment was only to get into greater danger, -so, without waiting for rest, they daringly began to ascend the hill in -order, if possible, to get close up to the walls. But though there was -no lack of pluck, the danger was too great, the task impossible; and so -they reluctantly beat a retreat, followed by shouts of joy and derision -from the walls of the castle, and many uncomplimentary titles, 'English -dogs' and 'Enemies of God and our King' being the mildest. - -Within the castle precincts, Don Alvarez was here, there, and -everywhere; and though Carlo was not allowed to go into the most -dangerous places for fear of some stray shot or arrow, he was, however, -ready for every opening which promised a source of honour. He loaded -muskets, carried ammunition, dashed water over the heated gun-barrels, -and made himself very useful. - -'They are repulsed!' rang through the castle as the men so long on watch -now bethought themselves of their supper; and the women, coming out of -the church, where they had been placed for safety, were soon busy -serving the heroes. Carlo's bright eyes were sparkling with eagerness; -he felt that he was serving under a brave, honourable man who would die -rather than give in, and that he was wiping out his own disgrace. - -But after sunset it appeared evident that the dauntless spirits of the -buccaneers were not yet crushed, and that they meant to try again. The -small army advanced in a compact square, the foremost line carrying -fire-balls to throw at the palisades. Up they dashed, heedless of shots -and arrows, which had fatal effect in thinning the ranks; but at first -the assailants were quite impotent to effect any harm. The walls were -well manned, and it was difficult to get near enough to throw in the -fire-balls. - -Again there was a thought of retreat, when a curious accident caused the -fight to be no longer advantageous only on one side. One of the pirates -was wounded with an arrow, which, striking him in the back, pierced his -body to the other side. With Spartan fortitude the man pulled it out, -and, taking a little cotton, he wound it round the arrow, and, putting -it in his musket, shot it back into the castle. This caused one of the -smaller houses within the precincts to catch fire, which, being thatched -with palm-leaves, easily ignited; and so eager was the fight that this -was not at once perceived, till suddenly the flame shot upwards, sending -a dull, lurid glow over the combatants. - -Unfortunately, the house was not far from the powder-magazine, and a -smoking leaf was carried by the night wind towards this spot. In a few -moments more both the besieged and besiegers paused in their work, for -with a noise of terrific explosion the powder-magazine blew up, -scattering destruction within the walls, and, what was even worse, -shattering a large portion of the bank which protected the palisade. - -At this moment Carlo, who had been engaged in reloading a number of -muskets, saw a sight which made him turn sick with fear. The fire was -gaining ground; the flames, like hungry furies, appeared to leap from -stake to stake of the strong palisade, and, further loosening the earth -round the breaches made by the explosion, allowed great masses of earth -to topple over into the ditch. - -'Put out the fire! fetch water! hoist the bucket from the well!' shouted -Don Alvarez, frantically rushing from post to post. 'Keep up your -spirits, my men; don't fall back; hurl the first pirate who scales the -ditch headlong down the cliff!' - -These and many like orders were passed on; but from below came a -desperate cheer from the pirates, who saw how the fire had done the -hardest part of the work for them, and with renewed courage dashed once -more forward. - -It was, indeed, a terrible sight; the fire that raged round the palisade -was awful in its effects. The Spanish soldiers on one side struggled -bravely to stand to their posts; while the pirates, still more -determined, crawled along over the scorching earth, or literally ran the -gauntlet of the fire, in order to pass into the enclosure; and a shout -of triumph here and there told plainly where they had succeeded. - -On his side, Don Alvarez worked wonders. He never flinched from his -duty, and seemed not to notice any personal danger; but when daylight -came the situation looked most depressing. Yet nothing could make him -give the order to forsake the various posts where the soldiers were -stationed. - -Carlo saw now that most likely the pirates would conquer, and he could -have cried with shame and vexation. What should he say after all his -boasting? But one look at his uncle's stern, noble face made him toil -on at his work without pausing to think, till at last he was aware of an -unusual disturbance on the opposite side of the castle, a deafening -shout, and a furious firing. At this moment Don Alvarez reappeared at -his side. - -'Carlo, here boy, quick: there is not a moment to spare. Take this -note, climb down by the rock stairs, and deliver it safely to Don -Meliros, the officer at the entrance fort--him you saw yesterday. If we -are undone, don't let him waste any more precious lives. It is my duty -to hold out till death, but his to save his garrison. Do you hear, boy? -And, if you see him again, bid good-bye to your father. Tell him--nay, -nothing more. But listen, Carlo: there is much danger in carrying this -message, my boy; but do it fearlessly: it may prevent greater -misfortunes for thee at least.' - -Carlo did not hesitate a moment. - -'Trust me, uncle: I will be as quick as possible, and come back to your -side. Where shall I find you?' - -'In the Corps du Garde, boy. Good heavens! the men on the north are -giving way; that is our only strong point. Quick, boy: don't linger a -moment!' - -Don Alvarez hurried away, and Carlo ran straight for the church, which -still remained untouched by the fire, and where the women and children -were huddled together repeating a Litany aloud, not at all realising how -great was their danger. Carlo knew that behind the church there was a -piece of wall which he could scale, and which was not yet guarded by the -pirates, all of whom were now concentrating their forces on the opposite -side. From this spot Carlo could climb round the parapet, and reach the -rocky stairs with his precious missive. - -Being over-eager, however, Carlo found his task more difficult than he -had expected; in his case haste made waste, for twice he fell back, and -twice, being undaunted, he tried again. He heard a deafening shout -behind him; alas! Carlo knew it was not the Spanish war-cry, and at -last, in desperation, he made a final effort to lower himself to a ledge -below without losing his balance, which would have caused him to be -hurled down the face of the cliff; then, clinging like a goat, he crept -along till he reached the stairs. - -At this moment, when, feeling that he had already wasted much precious -time, he was about to hurry down, a familiar voice close behind called -him by name. - -'Seor Carlo, wait a moment. How I have looked for you!' And then -Harry Fenn, with greater skill than Carlo deemed possible, scrambled -down from a point above him, and having joined him whispered anxiously, -seizing him by the arm-- - -'Now, Seor, don't waste a moment: it is your only chance of safety. -They know you have been fighting, and the castle and all the ammunition -are now in the hands of the pirates.' - -Carlo said nothing till both had reached the bottom; then, showing Harry -his letter, he said his uncle had bade him deliver it. Before reaching -the fort, however, they both saw that any message was now useless, for -the Spaniards were already scrambling for the boats in order to fly up -the river into the interior. - -'Then I must return to my uncle, Harry,' said Carlo. 'I promised to go -to the Corps du Garde after I had given up my letter; but do not wait -for me, for now is your chance of escape.' - -'He does not want you now, Seor Carlo: he died at his post as a brave -soldier should. I will tell you about it presently, for now we have not -a moment to waste: if you are found, or indeed if I am found helping -you, we shall both be shot without more ado, for the men are in wild -excitement.' - -Carlo was speechless. The whole events of the last twelve hours seemed -too terrible to believe, and he followed Harry in total silence. The -latter, having now reached the bank of the river, was looking eagerly -about for a boat. - -'Where can we go if you find a boat?' said Carlo at last very sadly. -'It would be better for me to stay and die with my uncle.' - -'No; indeed, I am sure he meant you to be saved by his sending you down -here; he must have known when he did so that all was lost, and the -letter to the officer was an excuse to induce you to leave him.' - -'But my Aunt Elena--what will become of her? Alack! Heaven is -altogether against us!' - -'Do not distress yourself about her: she is of too great importance to -come to any harm; they will make her pay a heavy ransom--and, anyhow, -they will treat her well till Captain Morgan comes. Look, Seor, there -is a small boat with one Indian in it. Have you any gold about you? We -might perhaps bribe him.' - -But Carlo was penniless; only, being able to make himself understood, he -began trying to strike a bargain for the canoe, which appeared now their -only chance of safety. - -The fort was quite evacuated, and so terrified were the Spaniards now -escaping up the river, that, in spite of signals from Carlo, not one -would return. So, after some delay, during which Harry became every -minute more impatient, knowing how great the danger was, the boys -squeezed themselves into the small canoe, and, crouching down, bade the -Indian paddle out to sea. - -For a long time Carlo lay there too much distressed to speak; but -happily Harry had all his senses about him, and had seized a pair of -small oars left behind by the fugitives. Very soon he noticed that they -had drifted too near the pirate ships, and that they were discovered, -for Harry's keen eyes at once noticed a slight stir on board. - -'Seor Carlo, get up and row: we must make the best of our way towards -St. Catherine, if we cannot get up greater speed than this we may be -lost.' And Carlo, thinking of his father and sister and his home, at -last roused himself and rowed with a will. - -'But what is the use of our getting back to St. Catherine?' he said; -'Captain Morgan will not be more lenient to me than his men would have -been.' - -'He will come off at once on hearing of this victory, I am sure, for he -will want his share of the spoil. My hope is that we may escape him in -that way.' - -'But he will never forgive you for helping me,' said poor Carlo, feeling -that he had brought misfortune on the noble English boy, who cared as -much as he did himself for freedom. - -'That is of no consequence--I can risk that; indeed, if he would, he -would never dare forgive me now; his men would not let him. Ah, Seor, -what is the matter? The sun is too powerful; and indeed you have gone -through enough to make you feel ill.' - -'Nay, I will not give way,' said Carlo; but he felt so sick and giddy, -that in a few moments he had to give up his oar and lie down in the -boat; whilst Harry, seeing now that all danger from the pirate boats was -over, intimated to the Indian that they must make the best of their way -to St. Catherine. - -Happily the Indian had some bananas and oranges on board which he had -been bringing down to the fort for sale, when the general exodus of the -Spaniards had prevented him landing. This was the only food they had to -depend upon, and the distance was great for such a small craft. But -necessity knows no impossibility, and now Harry felt, for the moment at -least, that he was really free; though he would, on landing, probably -fall again into the hands of his enemies; and if so, then he knew what -he must expect--a death which would most likely be accompanied by -torture. - -'Mr. Aylett would say I had done well,' was his consolation, and Etta -Allison would, perhaps, through his means, also be able to get her -freedom. So, humming one of the old hymns he had sung as a choir-boy at -home, he took courage and determined to reach St. Catherine or die in -the attempt. 'Anyhow, Seor Carlo will be no worse off in dying of -hunger than in dying through torture. They would have been sure to -imagine he knew where Don Alvarez hid his treasure. I am free, free, -and the air seems fresher, and the sea smells sweeter; so, God helping -me, I will save him and myself.' - -Whilst these events were taking place at Chagres the inhabitants of -Santa Teresa were by no means happy. Deprived of even the slight -protection of Harry Fenn, the girls and Catalina found themselves in no -enviable position. After the departure of the expedition, Captain -Morgan determined to settle as far as possible the affairs of the -island, so that directly he should hear of the success or failure of the -enterprise against Chagres Castle he should be free to go about other -business. If the attack failed he must again unite his fleet--for the -greater number of ships were in the bay--and take counsel with his chief -officers; but if it succeeded, then all hands and all heads would be -needed for the attack on Panama, which was, in truth, the height of -their ambition. For these reasons Captain Morgan still made Santa -Teresa his headquarters, but was full of occupation elsewhere; and, to -make the poor Don Estevan del Campo's task harder, he required his daily -attendance upon him. The Captain was bent on demolishing all the strong -castles of St. Catherine, meaning to leave only Santa Teresa standing -for his own future use. He thus made Don Estevan assist at this -wholesale destruction, treating him outwardly with consideration, but -implying that the Spaniard was himself glad to help in the destruction -of the forts it had been his duty to look after. The Marquis suffered -much more torment than if he had died as a soldier, and every day he -became more gloomy, more miserable, and so curious in his behaviour that -many said he must be losing his mind, and shunned him accordingly. He -was, in fact, tormented with terrible regrets, and these were ten-fold -increased when he heard that his son had been sent with the expedition -against his brother-in-law. To make things worse, Captain Morgan had -forbidden the Marquis to enter Santa Teresa, saying that it would be too -severe a tax on the loyalty of the Indians and the negroes, who, for -convenience' sake, were kept in their old places; but in truth it was to -make the Marquis feel he was in reality now simply a prisoner and -nothing more. So he lodged at St. Jerome, and was narrowly watched, for -fear he should take it into his head to escape; and this did not add to -his comfort or his peace of mind. - -Felipa was thus left to the care of old Catalina, and Captain Morgan -troubled himself very little about them, meaning in the near future to -make the Marquis ransom his own child from supposed captivity. - -Though glad enough to be left alone, the trio were yet much puzzled as -to how they were to get enough daily food. Andreas no longer came to -the balcony in answer to Etta's soft whistling, so they concluded that -he must have either escaped or been killed. The guards placed below -were all rough men of various nationalities whom Catalina dared not ask -for food; and she and her charges began to understand that they were as -much prisoners as if they had been in the dungeons below. Catalina had -been able to secrete a small quantity of Indian corn and to bake some -cakes with it; but now this was finished, what was to be done? - -One day, when all the food was gone, Etta, creeping out into the passage -once more to see if Andreas would come or answer her whistling, heard -the loud tones of Captain Morgan giving some order. Forgetting -Catalina's strict injunctions not to go below, forgetting everything but -that Felipa was crying from hunger, and that she herself was only -restrained by her English pride from doing the same, she ran down as -quickly as she could to the hall where some twenty men were tramping -about bringing in the evening meal, and Captain Morgan was listening to -a messenger who had just entered. - -Etta was quite reckless now, even though the men raised a shout at her -appearance, crying out, 'Here comes the little English wench,' and one -said: 'Ay, but she's got bonnie golden hair and looks ready for a -gambol.' But the girl took no heed, and, running up to Captain Morgan, -insisted this time on being heard. - -'Captain Morgan, prithee, will you let us starve up there? We are all -so very, very hungry! It is cruel of you; and meseems it is very unlike -an Englishman to starve his prisoners.' - -The Captain received this burst of eloquence with loud laughter; and, -turning to the messenger, said: - -'Marry! good Smith, do you hear the maid? She says it is not right that -any one should starve in this place; and, by my faith, when you bring me -such good news I think she is right. We will give a feast to-day to -every soul in the castle. But in truth, bold maid, I bade that lame -fellow see after your provender, and now, methinks, he has gone to -Chagres and forgotten all about you. Here, Mings, send up a royal feast -to the fair ladies, and a few bottles of good wine besides to drink our -health in. And mind you, little cinder witch, to tell your Spanish -friends that it is all in honour of the taking of Chagres. By the way, -Smith, what has become of my godson and of the young Spaniard?' - -Etta stood speechless as she heard the terrible news. Where was Carlo, -and what would he do? - -'By my troth, Captain, I know only that neither of them has been seen -since the taking of the castle; so either they were killed in the -skirmish or they have hidden themselves somewhere.' - -Captain Morgan frowned. - -'Brodely will have to answer for the safety of both lads. If they have -escaped we shall soon catch them, and then---- And how many men did we -lose? I would such valiant fellows were cudgel-proof.' - -'A hundred bodies were counted before I left; and as to the wounded, -that will add another seventy; but we have taken much rich stuff, and -ammunition enough to serve for our next expedition, not to mention Don -Alvarez's lady, whose ransom will be a fortune.' - -'That will be my affair,' said the Captain grandly. 'Will they send the -prisoners here at once?' - -Etta waited to hear no more; but though her expedition had procured them -a dinner such as they had not enjoyed for a long time, yet they could -not help shedding many tears over it. Their grand hopes as to Don -Alvarez were crushed; and, worse still, what had become of Carlo? Not a -ray of hope seemed now left to them. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - IN THE WOODS. - - -But as when the night is darkest the dawn is near at hand, so the -sorrowful prisoners were not left altogether without comfort for long, -even though this comfort was in itself a sad one. One evening, three -days after Etta had heard the news in the hall, Felipa lay wearily on -the couch beside the open window, vainly longing to get out and breathe -the pure air in what had once been her lovely garden, but which was now -sadly trampled over. - -The poor girl looked much changed, and it was all Catalina and Etta -could do to keep her from spending most of her time in weeping silently. -She would not touch her guitar, and seemed to be fretting her life away. -These three days had also made a great difference in her appearance. -She kept constantly asking where Carlo was, what could have become of -him; and patient Etta, with ready invention, tried to find answers for -her friend which might calm her for a little while. As to Catalina, she -could only moan and bewail their evil fortune, and wish every bad thing -she could imagine to overtake the pirates. - -'If I could but go out,' sighed Felipa, 'I could find Carlo. I am sure -he must be hidden away in the forest. But come quickly, Etta: see, who -is coming in; some of the soldiers? Yes, yes; they are Spanish -soldiers, and they are certainly coming to save us.' - -'Hush, dear Felipa; don't you see that they are themselves guarded? no, -these must be the prisoners from Chagres, and--oh, yes--here are some -women and---- Surely--yes, it is Doa Elena!' - -Felipa clapped her hands for joy, causing the lady to look up; and then -the sight of her aunt's sad face made the girl suddenly draw back. In -truth it was Doa Elena; but how changed she was! The face that looked -out from beneath her black veil was hardly recognisable. - -In spite of this, Felipa was all excitement to know if her aunt would be -allowed to come up to see them. Was she going to be left here, or what? - -These questions were soon answered, for in a few minutes Doa Elena was -escorted to the sitting-room, and Felipa was soon sobbing on the -motherly breast of her aunt, who, sad as she was herself, was shocked at -the change in her little niece, whom she had last seen a merry, blooming -girl running races with Etta and Carlo down the lovely green slopes of -the tropical garden. - -'My poor darling! Ah, what sad troubles we have all been through! I -can hardly believe it even now; but my dear husband died like a brave -soldier. He was so noble, so true! Alas that such as he should be -sacrificed! But as to our poor Carlo, I cannot find out what has become -of him, though I have asked every one I came near. That terrible -Captain has named such a price for my ransom that I must write to Spain -for the money. My poor brother! When last did you see your father, -Felipa? He has not been here, I am told; but they say he is at St. -Jerome.' - -'You will stay with us, will you not, dear Aunt Elena? At least they -will leave us this one comfort of being together. But where is Carlo? -If only we could find out, I should be less unhappy. It is quite true -that our father has not come here for days.' - -Doa Elena now told the party all she knew of Carlo and of his brave -escape from the pirate boats in order to give his uncle warning. So -that even though their talk was not cheerful the presence of the elder -lady was a great comfort to the girls, and also to Catalina, who, good -and faithful as she was, could not think out many difficult problems. - -That evening they had a last visit from Captain Morgan. He had finished -his work of destruction, or had seen it well in train, and was now going -off in great haste to Chagres to see for himself the treasures found -there. - -'Now, Madam,' he said in Spanish to Doa Elena, 'you will stay here and -await my return. I have named the sum that will give you your liberty, -but till every piece of eight is paid you must consider yourself a -prisoner. I am taking your brother Don Estevan del Campo and many of -the people here away with me--for change of air,' he added, laughing, -'but he too will get his liberty when his ransom has been paid. As for -his son, I hear now he escaped as no gentleman ought to do, and so----' - -'Carlo never gave his word,' said Etta, indignantly; 'he told us he felt -free to escape if he could.' - -'Well, well, you are over-bold, mistress, and it cannot be hunger now -that forces you to plain-speaking. Prithee, courageous elf, have they -brought you enough to eat since your foraging expedition?' - -Etta proudly muttered, 'Yes, Sir Captain, I was but defending the -absent.' And evidently Captain Morgan admired her spirit, for he -laughed all the more, as if she had said something very witty. - -'Marry, that may be; but mark you, if you know where the boy is hiding, -tell him that every avenue of the castle will be watched during my -absence, and none will enter or go forth from this island without the -knowledge of my trusty men. My boy, young Harry Fenn, has disappeared, -and yet I treated the lad as kindly as if he had been my own son; and, -in faith, when they are found they will be taught to make less free use -of their young legs. I beg to take my leave of you, ladies, and I have -left orders for a good supply of food to be brought; but it were best to -keep indoors, as I cannot answer for accidents. Some of my men are but -foolish rangers, and know nothing of good manners beyond such as Dame -Nature taught 'em.' - -'But prithee, Sir Captain, let me say good-bye to my father,' cried -Felipa; and Doa Elena joined in the petition, adding rather bitterly-- - -'My poor brother will long ago have found how wrong he was to trust you, -bold Captain, and if you are taking him prisoner, at least let him bid -farewell to his sister and his child.' - -The Captain had no time, however, to waste on farewells; he declared -this boon was impossible to grant, as the Marquis had already been rowed -out to the ship; but he assured the ladies that he hoped soon to be -back, and that then they should hear great news. With this he went away -as hastily as he had come, and the only comfort that could be extracted -from this visit was the pleasure of seeing the Captain hurry forth from -the great gate of Santa Teresa. - -Catalina's muttered farewell did not seem like blessings; but, though -the chief was gone, there were yet many jailors left behind. The guards -were doubled without, although so few were now left within the walls, -every man that could be spared having been taken off to join the great -and long-planned expedition to Panama. The Captain had considered that -a score of men would be well able to guard two women and two girls. He -was, however, more vexed than he cared to show at the disappearance of -Carlo and Harry, and meant to make Captain Brodely pay dearly for his -carelessness; even such a powerful man as the great buccaneer was not -without his share of troubles, for it was only by keeping his men -constantly employed in plunder or adventure that he could prevent mutiny -and discontent. - -The sitting-room and the other rooms on the same floor were left to the -ladies, the prisoners having been all taken elsewhere; so that Etta, -utterly tired of the confinement of the two rooms, often crept out to -the window above the balcony, where she could catch a sight of the bay, -and from whence she saw the departure of the fleet. Every time she went -she softly whistled the Indian notes, especially just before sundown, -hoping to see Andreas. - -To-day, just as the last sound died away among the great rose bushes, -Etta fancied she heard a very faint echo of her last note. She paused, -straining her ears, then repeated the air again. There was the same -echo. Surely it was, it must be, Andreas! She determined to return -after sunset, but till then she would not mention her ideas, for fear of -having been mistaken. - -Catalina was happier now that she was allowed the wherewithal to cook -her meals, and she was never weary of trying to concoct some new dish -out of the ordinary fare provided, in order to tempt poor Felipa, whose -appetite was failing, though she had revived much since her aunt's -arrival. - -Etta had been right. Soon after darkness had fallen, suddenly, on the -lovely landscape, she heard the faint rustle of leaves below, and -Andreas crept on to the balcony, looking somewhat like a brown snake. - -'Seorita, Heaven be praised that you have come! I wanted to tell you -the news. The noble Seor Carlo is here in St. Catherine--he and the -young Englishman who came with the pirates.' - -Etta hardly stifled a cry of joy. - -'Where are they? Quick, tell me, Andreas! But do they know the castle -is watched, and that they will be taken if they are found?' - -'Yes, yes, but the Seor Carlo cannot come--in fact he is ill, very ill, -Seorita; he has the fever. But we will cure him; the white man does -not know the medicines the Indians use for the fever--these never fail.' - -'But how did they come here?' - -'I know not much of the story, for the English Seor cannot talk much -Spanish, but they came by night; there was an Indian with them, or they -would have been seen, but the Indians can see in the dark.' - -'How glad I am, dear Andreas! Do you want food, and where have you been -all this time? I have been here so often hoping you would come.' - -'The English captain sent me to fetch horses and cattle. He watched me -so that I could not come; but now they forget to keep watch. I will -come again to-morrow, Seorita, at sunset. If the noble Seor Carlo -gets better quickly, well; if not, then he must come into the castle.' - -'That would be impossible, Andreas,' said Etta; but Andreas smiled as he -disappeared into the darkness. - -'But what is the use?' said Felipa, when she heard the wonderful news of -her brother's return. 'Carlo will die if he has only an Indian to nurse -him; and if he gets well Captain Morgan will come and take him -prisoner.' - -'That is not trusting the good God, Felipa darling,' said the noble Doa -Elena. 'He will save our dear Carlo if he sees fit. Since my great -trouble I have learnt more than ever to be resigned, and also to trust -Him. Let us get a little bundle of linen ready, Catalina, to send it to -Carlo by Andreas. Wherever they are, poor fellows, they will need that; -and then let us hope for the best; we can do no more for them.' - -The next evening Doa Elena accompanied Etta to the balcony; and when -Andreas understood whom she was he explained that Carlo was better, but -still very ill, and that the English Seorito was very anxious to get -him removed to the castle, for they were in the thickest part of the -forest, in a deserted Indian hut, and they had not enough good things -for the sick Carlo. - -'If you could hide him I could bring him here to-morrow, noble lady: the -guards watch the wrong places, and now that the whip is not visible the -dogs keep but bad guard.' - -'We must chance it,' said Doa Elena, decidedly; 'my poor Carlo must not -die. We are never visited, except twice a day--certainly never after -sunset, for the soldiers are afraid of this half-deserted house. They -fancy it is haunted.' - -The two then went back to tell Catalina and Felipa the joyful news that -Carlo was better and would come to them to be nursed. Then they -discussed plans, and at last settled that they would put some blankets -in the cupboard and only bring him out when the visits of the soldiers -and the negroes were over. - -'If we must soon be separated, at least let us enjoy each other's -company as long as possible,' said the brave Spanish lady; and Felipa -looked up brightly and smiled more happily than she had done since her -imprisonment. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - WAITING FOR LUCK. - - -Without Andreas Carlo never could have been carried safely into Santa -Teresa; but the faithful Indian was wonderfully clever in warding off -detection. The dogs had a harmless powder given to them, which stupefied -them for the time being, and, the night being very dark, with Harry's -help Carlo was lifted bodily on to the balcony and then carried to the -ladies' room. Here kind, tender hands were ready with as many -alleviations as were at their disposal. - -The soldiers were busy drinking and gambling below in the hall, and -never imagined what was going on above, the evening visit of inspection -having been paid. Carlo seemed to recognise his friends as Harry and -Andreas laid him gently on the mattress, for he smiled and began to say -something; but the effort caused him to become light-headed again, and -Catalina and Doa Elena made every one leave the patient to their -nursing. Etta had a great deal to say to Harry; she wanted to hear how -he had been able to save Carlo from the clutches of the pirates, and how -they had managed to land. - -'I can hardly understand myself how it was,' said Harry, simply. 'We -nearly died of thirst, and had it not been for the Indian we could never -have reached this place alive. Seor Carlo was often light-headed, and -fancied he was still at Chagres, trying to repulse the attack, and I -could only make the Indian understand me by signs. It was not easy to -tell him that we must not land by daylight, and that our enemies would -pounce upon us if they caught us, but that we had friends if only we -could reach them. Luckily we did manage it, and the first person who -discovered us was this faithful Andreas, and after that you should have -heard how the two Indians did discuss us! We have hidden the canoe and -the Indian, for I was obliged to defer the promised reward till we had -seen you, Seorita.' - -'My father hid a great deal of treasure in the woods,' said Felipa, 'so -we can easily pay the Indian. Andreas knows the hiding-place, for my -father recognised how trustworthy he is.' Felipa soon explained to -Andreas how much of the money he was to get; only, great precautions -must be taken so as not to be seen or followed by the dogs, which the -English pirates would most likely set on the track if they had the least -suspicion of hidden treasure. - -'But you, Harry, what can you do?' asked Etta, who did indeed feel proud -of her countryman, for she guessed that, though he made light of his -adventures, he had gone through much suffering for the sake of a -stranger. - -'I mean to hide in these woods till I get a chance of escaping; after -what has happened I can never go back to Captain Morgan. Andreas is so -grateful for what I have been able to do for the Seor Carlo that he -says I may stay in the hut. If a ship were to touch here, I would work -my passage back to Europe; but that _if_ is doubtful, Mistress Etta.' - -'But you will take me too if the Captain will let me come on board?' -asked Etta. 'Now Felipa has her aunt she would let me go back to my own -country, for the pirates have taken the Marquis, and so I need not ask -him. In England, I shall never again be in dire terror of my life.' - -Harry did not like to explain to the eager girl that there was but -little probability of his being able to take her on board. The idea was -so delightful to Etta that she hardly knew how to contain her joy. - -'And you will see your home again, and your father and mother; and you -will ask them to let me stay with them till I hear from my uncle. Mr. -Aylett will write for me--I seem to know him already from all you have -said of him.' - -Harry took a small prayer-book from his pocket. - -'Look, Mistress Etta: this book has often reminded me of my dear master; -I have had it with me all the time. I happened to have it with me on -the evening when I was taken prisoner--I was to learn the Gospel for the -next Sunday to repeat to Mr. Aylett. I little thought then how precious -the book would appear to me. Do you ever read the Psalms of David and -the Gospels, Mistress Etta?' - -Etta shook her head. - -'On Sundays I go to church with Felipa; I once told the Padre I was no -Papist, but he said I had better pray to God with Felipa, and that in -time I should be shown the right way. Then I cannot read English very -easily, for we have no English books here, only I read the precious -letters left me by my mother, till I know them all by heart. In truth I -will never be a Papist, nor forget that I am English.' - -Etta turned over the leaves of Harry's book with great care and -admiration, whilst he read over the collect to her which began 'Lord of -all power and might,' which Etta, much delighted, said she could -remember. - -'Without this I should sometimes have forgotten when Sunday came round,' -added Harry, smiling; 'for Captain Morgan's men made but little -difference between week-days or the Lord's Day, save now and then they -had extra rations and more spirits. Good-night, Mistress Etta. I see -Andreas wishes me to go with him, but I will come again to unloose my -tongue, as my speech will be limited in the woods, and mayhap I shall -turn into a wild man such as our sailors speak of; but Andreas says he -will teach me how to shoot with poisonous arrows.' - -From this time there was much less dulness up in the dwelling-room at -Santa Teresa, and if they might have gone out, the girls would not have -been very unhappy, except as to Carlo's state of health. For many days -he hovered between life and death, and Etta had to act as sentinel, -being most quick at hearing the distant steps of the soldier who brought -them their daily portion of food. There was no more starvation now, the -point being to keep the prisoners in good health; for death would have -deprived their jailors of the much-expected ransoms. - -How eagerly every morning the little party inquired for news, which the -soldier was not loth to give! Captain Morgan was on his way to Panama; -he had twelve hundred men with him; they had scarce victuals, and had -sent back a boat to St. Catherine for more maize and Indian corn; the -men were only allowed one pipe of tobacco; the Captain was determined to -take the town, but he was in sore straits about victuals; they must -conquer or starve; and so on. - -The little party hoped much that the pirates never would reach Panama, -and that other misfortunes might befal them; only, not knowing if the -Marquis were with them, it was difficult to wish they might all die of -hunger. - -In the evening Harry would come and amuse Carlo, for as the days passed -slowly on the boy gradually began to mend. He would tell him of his -hunting with Andreas, and how sometimes they had near escapes of being -discovered; but that the men left behind had enough to do to guard the -few fortresses remaining, and thought, besides, more about watching the -bays for possible enemies than of hunting the forest. One day the Doa -Elena herself asked Harry to tell her all he knew of her brave husband's -last hours, and he recounted simply what he had seen. Carlo was sitting -up, propped with pillows, looking pale, but far different from what he -had been a fortnight before; and he joined in the request, saying: - -'When I last saw my dear uncle he was just starting to help some twenty -men who were defending an important post.' - -'Yes, and that was where I saw him,' added Harry. 'I was bent on -gaining an entrance into the castle, so that I might, if possible, save -you and your uncle. I had tried to pass over some portions of burning -wall, for I had seen the pirates rush through, regardless of the danger; -but though I tried twice, the flames drove me back each time; so, at -last, climbing along the side of the mountain, I caught sight of the men -making a dash for this special breach. I could not help admiring their -pluck, though the cause was bad enough. I came up just as they carried -the position, in spite of the fierce resistance they met. Following -them through the breach, I saw that this last effort would most likely -end in the capture of the castle; for I noticed several Spanish soldiers -throw themselves over the parapet rather than fall into the pirates' -hands alive. They would not ask for quarter--indeed, it would not have -been granted. Just then I met a fellow who was badly wounded, and I -asked him if he knew whether the Governor were taken, or what had become -of him. This man told me Don Alvarez had retired to the Corps-du-Garde, -and was defending it like a lion. So, never thinking of danger, I -hastened in the direction to which he pointed, and beheld a scene I -shall never forget. Don Alvarez was standing at the head of a flight of -steps, and round him and below him were some thirty men. The pirates -had double the number of men, and saw it was only a question of time, -and that a short one. I was looking everywhere for you, Seor Carlo, -and, not seeing you, I was just going to hurry away, when I heard a -sharp report, and then a yell of anger; and, looking back, I saw the -noble Don Alvarez fall forward, struck through the heart with a -musket-shot. I knew that I had not then a moment to lose; and, meeting -a fugitive Spaniard, I asked him to tell me where the young nephew of -the Governor had last been seen, for I was none of the enemy. He hardly -believed me; but pointed to some spot behind the church; and the rest -you know, Seor Carlo.' - -'If it had not been for you, Harry Fenn, I must have been caught at -last, or else died of that fever. I wish my uncle had lived to hear of -it and to reward you, but when my----' Poor Carlo paused; he, could not -appeal to his father, for all that history was one he could not bear to -think about; so he added, 'When I am a man I will give you whatever you -like to ask of me.' - -'There is nothing to thank me for,' said Harry, laughing; 'in running -away with you I was but doing what I had planned for a long time. You -see, I promised Mistress Etta to help her back to her own country; and -to do that I must e'en get back first myself.' - -'And you, Aunt Elena,' said Felipa, 'shall you really have to pay the -large ransom? It does seem hard to be deprived of one's home and then -have to pay the wicked men who have made one unhappy and miserable.' - -'We must not complain, Felipa, for nothing would be allowed to happen -unless God saw that it was for our good. If I could have seen my poor -brother I should have taken counsel with him; but I must resign myself -to a long captivity till the money can come from Spain.' - -'Then why should you not go and fetch it yourself, noble lady?' said -Harry. 'If I were you, I would not stay here longer than I could help; -for if Captain Morgan were killed the pirates might choose another -captain who would not treat you as civilly as he does.' - -'But there is little chance of one of our ships being able to come into -port here,' said Carlo. 'Andreas told me that the bays were very closely -watched.' - -'What I most fear is the return of the victorious pirates,' said Harry, -thoughtfully. 'If we hear news of the taking of the city of Panama, I -think we must try and escape, or at all events get to some Spanish -settlement whence they will send us on.' - -So they talked and planned, but could do nothing at present except wait -patiently, Harry promising to keep a sharp look-out for any ship flying -the Spanish colours, adding: - -'I fancy the Captain will certainly take the rich city if it is at all -possible, and after seeing the attack on Chagres I can believe these -bold men capable of taking even a large place, especially when driven to -great straits by hunger. I was by when the Captain made all his men -sign the articles of common agreement between them, and in that they -bound themselves to obey him and to do their utmost to carry out all his -plans.' - -'The selfish robbers!' cried Catalina, indignantly. 'Heard you anything -else of importance, young Englishman?' - -'But very little,' answered Harry, rubbing his forehead and trying to -recall what had passed on the pirate vessel. 'Every captain was to have -the share of eight men; the surgeon, besides his pay, was to have two -hundred pieces of eight for his chest of medicaments, and other officers -in some such-like proportion. But I remember that for the loss of both -legs in battle the unfortunate buccaneer was to receive fifteen hundred -pieces of eight, and he was to get still more for the loss of both -hands.' - -'All these ravages should be put an end to by the sovereigns who own -these people. All nations of Europe have joined in it; and it is high -time it were stopped,' said Doa Elena Alvarez. 'But now, kind Harry, -it is time you went away, for Carlo is tired and must go to bed.' - -'It is so dark to-night that I wonder how you will find your way to the -hut,' said Etta. - -'I have been making a store of candles from the Bois-de-Chandel. -Andreas showed me how the Indians prepare it. Truly, how my parents -would laugh to see me in an Indian hut! But I have to be careful of -shading my light, for Andreas says we must not trust the negroes, and -they often wander at night when the fancy seizes them.' - -With this Harry slipped away; and Etta went with him so as to close the -window and secure it when he had let himself down from the balcony. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - DISCOVERED. - - -At last, after what seemed to him a long, weary time, Carlo began to -feel stronger, so that the difficulty to conceal him became much -greater, the high-spirited boy finding confinement quite unbearable. -His aunt and Catalina now suffered much anxiety on account of his -rashness, and as contact with danger soon makes people forget it Carlo -would often slip out even before sunset and go off to the woods to find -Harry. He used to get over at the old spot, which was not now guarded, -and then, following the Indian trail, he and Harry managed to amuse -themselves in the woods. True, he would slip back again, looking more -rosy and more cheerful; but Catalina was always saying that some day the -rash boy would repent of his want of prudence. As it was, if it had not -been for the vigilance of Andreas even the lazy guards must have had -their suspicions aroused. One day Andreas arrived at the Indian hut -just as the two, who were now fast friends, were preparing their arrows -to go hunting for pigeons, which Carlo took home to Catalina to cook so -as to make a change in their bill of fare. - -'There you are, Andreas! You are just in time to go with us,' exclaimed -Carlo. - -'No, Seor, I must be back at the compound in half an hour; but I have -just heard much news, and I came to tell you. The Frenchman Simon has -just landed, and brings tidings from Chagres, where men have arrived -telling of the taking of Panama. The Frenchman has brought several -officers with him who were wounded, but are now better; and I fear these -guards will have their eyes opened wider than the men now in charge.' - -'Have they really taken Panama?' exclaimed Harry and Carlo; and the -latter added, 'That is indeed a feat I had not expected--though you did, -Harry. But did you hear any particulars, Andreas?' - -'They are very full of all sorts of stories, but I fancy they are not -all true--how in one place they boiled leathern bags to eat and were at -death's door for want of food. After ten days of incredible hardships -they came in sight of the city, and there they engaged in very severe -fighting. But the terror of their name did more for them than even -their valour, for they were but a handful compared with the Spaniards.' - -'But what of the poor city?' said Harry, when Carlo had translated the -news to him. - -'The city was set fire to, which must have been a great and sad sight. -I was once there--when Padre Pietro took me as a boy--and I saw the -great merchants' houses, those belonging to the Genoese being the -finest; and as for the convents and the private dwellings, the -churches--ah, they could not be numbered.' - -'But the pirates will have enough gold and to spare,' said Carlo; -'perhaps they will now let my father go free.' - -'The thirst for gold seems never satisfied,' answered Harry, 'and the -worst is when they divide the spoil; there is a great deal of -quarrelling over it, and I have seen them fight to the death over a few -pieces of eight.' - -'The Frenchman Simon declares that they have taken a great deal of gold -and many slaves, and that when the Captain has settled everything he -will return here and make it so strong that no enemy will ever be able -to retake it. The orders are that the work is to begin at once, and -that the ladies are to be taken great care of, as he will settle the -final ransom when he comes back. That makes me tremble for your safety, -Seorito; it would, perhaps, be more prudent to hide in the secret -passage.' - -'Then I may as well be taken by the pirates, Andreas. I was stifled -before in that odious hole. No, no; let me keep my liberty as long as I -can. I promise I will keep a sharp look-out for this Simon. Now let us -have a little fun; we try so hard to shoot the arrows as you do, -Andreas, but we have had as yet but poor success.' - -'The Seorito was not born an Indian,' said Andreas, a little sadly. -'Before the white man came all these forests were our hunting-grounds; -but there came good as well as evil with the strangers.' Then after a -pause he added: - -'If you will follow me I can show you a spot that few know how to -reach.' - -The boys were only too glad to comply, and Andreas took out of a -hiding-place in the hut a curious blow-pipe, which was a reed from ten -to eleven feet in length. - -'You will take my bow, Seor, and we shall see who will shoot the -farthest.' - -Harry examined this new kind of weapon with great curiosity. There was -no appearance of knot or joint in it; only the end which was to be -applied to the mouth was tied round with small silk grass cord. The -arrows which Andreas next produced for his blow-pipe were nine or ten -inches long, made out of the leaf of a palm-tree, and as sharp as a -needle. - -'An inch of the pointed end is poisoned, whilst the opposite end is -burned to make it hard,' said Andreas, exhibiting these beautifully made -arrows; 'and this white stuff is the wild cotton. See, this quiver will -hold five hundred such. Now come, but you must tread softly as a cat.' - -He led through an intricate path in the midst of the dense forest. -Harry would never have expected to find any human being able to thread -through such a tangled mass; but Carlo knew what were the powers of -Andreas in this respect. Then suddenly the Indian stopped; he looked up -into the tall branches above him, and, putting his blow-pipe to his -mouth, he collected his breath for the fatal puff. Two feet from the -end of the tube two teeth of the acouri were fastened, and these served -Andreas for a sight. As Andreas lifted the pipe the boys waited in -breathless silence; then, suddenly and swiftly, the arrow flew -unerringly upwards. Had it missed? Harry thought so at first; but no: -there was a flutter, and then a pajui, an excellent game-bird, came -falling heavily to the ground. - -'Capital!' cried Harry; 'I don't believe I could do that.' He was going -to pick up the bird, but Andreas stopped him, and Carlo cried out: - -'Take care, Harry. Andreas will know how to handle the bird; you might -touch the poisoned point. This wourali is such a strange thing, though -it does not hurt the flesh of the bird in the least.' - -Andreas smiled to see Harry's astonishment, and, handing him the -blow-pipe, told him to try what he could do, as he himself had to return -to the compound; but, as can be easily imagined, Harry's breath was not -equal to sending an arrow three hundred feet into the air; he would -require many years of practice before he could rival the Indian's -dexterity. - -After much excitement the two returned to the hut, Carlo thinking it -safer to stay some time in the wood after nightfall to make sure the -coast would be clear before his return to Santa Teresa. - -By the light of their one candle the young Spaniard usually gave Harry -lessons in Spanish out of a book he had brought from the castle; and -Harry, having heard a great deal of that tongue spoken by the pirates, -was an apt pupil. After the lesson they fell to talking about the -chances Harry had of finding an English ship, and Carlo a Spanish one. -Certainly the effort ought to be made before the chance of Captain -Morgan's return; but how was it to be done? For Andreas' canoe was too -slight to trust on the sea, and was, moreover, much in need of repair. -This evening after their discussion Carlo added: - -'I have been talking to Andreas about the caves which lie on the bigger -island; but how are we to get the girls and my aunt to them, not to -mention dear old Catalina, whom we could not leave behind? The bridge is -well guarded, and we have no boat to go by water; besides, we should be -sure to be taken by one of the pirate ships. Whichever way I look, -escape seems impossible. Then, too, the thought of my father makes me -sad; he has suffered so much that I cannot feel angry with him now as I -did at first.' - -'Never say die, Seor; that is English advice, and it serves the purpose -of making one feel ashamed of giving way to despair. I know there is -little chance for any of us, and yet I do go on hoping still. God has -allowed me to escape so far, and I mean to keep up a brave heart. At -night I dream of my home, and actually the other evening I woke up -telling my father about the capture of Chagres Castle. I was deeply -disappointed to find myself alone in this hut, I assure you. But -prithee, Seor Carlo, it is time you returned; the Seora will be -anxious about you, and will fancy you are in danger of new horrors.' - -Carlo agreed, though he was sorry to leave Harry in such uncomfortable -quarters; but the latter answered, laughing: - -'I am hardy by nature, and I have learnt now to be able to sleep on any -bed, even Mother Earth's hardest mattress; and besides, Seor Carlo, I -feel more secure here than if I were in your gruesome hole in the -castle. Give my duty to my countrywoman, and tell her I am carving her -a whistle to wear at her girdle when she is once more free to flit -hither and thither at her pleasure.' - -Carlo made his way very cautiously out of the forest for fear of meeting -any stray dogs that might be prowling round. But all was quiet and -silent as he crept up to the breach, which the pirates had never yet -taken the trouble to repair. Whether Andreas' warnings had made him -more nervous, or whether he were trying to be more watchful, he could -not tell; but as he approached the verandah he fancied he heard a slight -noise among the bushes. He paused, and the sound ceased; then he made a -few steps forward, and, hearing nothing more, he cautiously climbed up -the verandah and swung himself as usual over the low balcony. The -window was left open, and before closing it he looked down into the -bushes. Once again he fancied he heard a soft stir, but the darkness -prevented him seeing anything more than a slight waving motion among the -great rose-bushes. - -In the sitting-room everything looked as usual. Felipa was bending over -some embroidery as if she were still the little mistress of Santa -Teresa, and Etta's face looked flushed with excitement as she fixed her -blue eyes intently on a palm-leaf basket she was weaving, which work -Andreas had taught her long ago. - -'Carlo, look!' she cried. 'I have had a mishap with two baskets, but -this one shall succeed. How have you fared to-day, and did Harry Fenn -have good sport?' - -'Andreas gave him a lesson on the blow-pipe, and I can tell you your -Englishman opened his eyes wide. But what of the Frenchman, Seora? -Have you seen him?' - -'No; but we heard a bustle in the hall, and the soldier who came this -evening said we should have a visitor to-morrow.' - -'Has Harry Fenn heard of any ship in our neighbourhood?' said Doa -Elena, anxiously. 'Catalina says this Frenchman has a bad name, and that -she fears you will be discovered if they set a stronger guard; so do be -careful, my poor Carlo.' - -Carlo thought of the noise he had heard in the bushes, and wondered if -he had already been seen and betrayed; but he deemed it wiser not to -mention this. - -'One thing I swear,' he said suddenly: 'they shall not separate us -again. Felipa, say you will follow where I lead, little sister. If we -must die, let us at least die together.' - -'Indeed I will, Carlo, for I am weary of being a prisoner,' she answered -with a sigh; and Doa Elena, looking up, saw a strange look of pain and -sadness pass over the girl's face. - -Suddenly Etta sprang from the low couch on which she was sitting and put -her finger on her lips. - -'Carlo! Carlo!' she whispered, 'hide quickly! Catalina, help him--I -hear steps. Make haste, prithee, make haste!' - -Carlo listened, but heard nothing, only Etta's hand pushed him towards -the cupboard door, and to please her he retreated. Poor much-tried Doa -Elena turned pale, whilst Felipa drew near to her; for now all of them -heard distinctly the steps. In two more minutes, after an impatient -knock, the expected Frenchman entered, and his quick glances took in the -party as he made a profound bow, and said: - -'Good! the Seora and the Doa Elena Alvarez, the nurse and the English -girl--that was as the Captain said. Good-evening, ladies. I suppose -you have not heard that the young Seor Carlo has returned to the -island, and that he is now secreted in the wood?' - -'My nephew is not likely to keep in the woods when we are here,' said -Doa Elena, with great presence of mind. - -'That may or may not be; but Captain Morgan is coming back in a few -days, Madame, and he sent word that you would all be ransomed or sold as -slaves. The young Seor was especially to be well cared for if he -landed here. And I fancy I have heard something of such an event.' -Then he added: 'Perhaps that old Spanish woman could tell something -about him if we were to ask her questions below.' - -Doa Elena rose to her full height. - -'You must first kill me before you touch our faithful Catalina. Leave -my presence, Monsieur.' - -'Well, well, don't be angry, Doa Elena: to-morrow is time enough. As -for to-night, we will have a hunt with the dogs in the forest and see -for ourselves. Good-night, ladies.' - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - HUNTING A FUGITIVE. - - -When Carlo was gone Harry went on with his lesson; and then, feeling -somewhat weary after his expedition, he prepared his bed, which -preparation consisted merely in fastening up an Indian hammock that -Andreas had made for him. And as he did so he could not help thinking -of his comfortable bed at home, and of the love which had been his from -childhood till the day he was kidnapped. The thought of his parents was -always a very sorrowful one to Harry. Ah, if only he could escape! and -then, once in England, he would hunt up Etta Allison's uncle and make -him send for his niece. But the 'if' was not likely to be fulfilled. - -Next, Harry cooked his supper, and this was also a very simple affair; -he lit a tiny fire in a space within the hut between a few bricks, and -allowed the smoke to find its way out by a small hole at the side of the -hut. After baking his maize cake he quickly extinguished his fire, as -smoke was a real element of danger even in this thick forest. - -As he now ate his very modest meal, thinking over the plenteous fare in -the home-farm, he could not help dwelling on the thought of bright-eyed -Etta. - -'She has the sweetest face I ever clapt eyes on,' he thought, 'and her -hair is like golden light on a thistle-down. How my mother would be -made glad with her sweet speecheries! Nay, but when I get back--if God -wills I ever do get back--then I will e'en come here again and fetch her -away, if so be her uncle will not do it. In truth I will; and then I -will ask her to be my wife, and she will be the comforting of the old -people, for she has such brave, sweet, winning ways, and has far more -courage than the pretty Spanish girl, who could be turned about -whichever way the wind blew, and has, besides, no pretty witcheries.' - -Harry, having thus settled his own future, took out his little -prayer-book and read a gospel, thinking as he did so of Mr. Aylett, and -wondering, as he had done many and many a time, what his friend had -thought when he had heard of his disappearance. Now and then he half -feared whether he had fancied that he had gone willingly with the -freebooters; and this idea troubled him; but at other times he put it -away as impossible. - -Harry was about to kneel down to say his prayers--which worship seemed -only natural in the midst of this beautiful forest with the spreading -palms, and the Bois Chataigne opening its petals in the darkness and the -many other forest giants--when suddenly he heard Andreas' very faint -whistle, although in the deep silence of solitude he had not noticed his -approach--indeed nothing around him but well-known sounds, such as -distant notes of a few birds. - -Harry started up, and would have called out, but remembered caution, so -that he even put out his light before he opened the door. He was glad -enough now that Carlo's lessons helped him to understand Andreas' -meaning, if not quite all his words. - -'Quick, Seor, and quiet; this place is no longer safe: they are going -to beat through the forest with the dogs to-night. They fancy you are -the Seorito; but, thank God, he is safe, at least for to-night. Follow -quickly, but first take everything away from the hut.' - -With quick dexterity the Indian unswung the hammock and rolled up in it -the few properties that were in the hut; then, placing this on his head, -he led the way forward, plunging yet deeper into the wood. Harry -followed as best he could, enduring patiently many a scratch from sharp -prickles and thorns, and many a bruise and tumble. 'Wait a moment, -Seor,' said Andreas after a time; 'I will put this bundle in this -stream and drag it down some way; the dogs will then lose the scent. -Give me your hand: we must wade up this streamlet. Ah, Seor, it is a -cruel sport, hunting the human being with fierce dogs. In the old days -the Spaniards hunted down the poor Indians--when I was a boy I have seen -them--and now the white men hunt each other.' Then, with a low chuckle, -Andreas added, 'I have made the dogs stupid with my powder; they will be -very slow; but I dared not stupefy them altogether for fear of -discovery. Now, Seor here is your hiding-place; I know you can climb. -This big trunk would shelter many men, but it is a secret few know of. -The Indians made the retreat long ago, and many a poor hunted being has -found safety here.' - -Harry did as he was bid, and with a good deal of help, which he would -have despised had it been light, he found himself half-way up a great -trunk, now hollow in parts, and showing that decay had set its hand -there. When they had reached this position Andreas crept through a tiny -aperture, and the two found themselves in a small room in the huge -hollow tree. The hand of man had made a floor and roofed it in, so that -there was a hollow tree above and a hollow tree below. It was so -beautifully contrived that when the door was opened it could be fastened -from within and leave no mark of its being a door on the outside, whilst -a hole in the ceiling would let in air and a small amount of light. -Andreas smiled at Harry's exclamations of surprise and admiration. - -'The Seor will be safe here if the dogs do not pick up the scent again; -if they do, see, here is a bow and arrow and some big stones. Don't let -any one climb up, but do not open the door unless you are sure you are -discovered; they will look up the hollow tree but will see nothing.' - -Andreas did not wait to be thanked, and, with another warning not to -open the door, he slipped down, and was soon purposely making a false -scent to another hiding-place known to some of the Indians who might be -employed by the pirates to scour the forest for Carlo. - -Andreas crept back to the castle an hour later, just as the party -organised by Sieur Simon was about to start, and, pretending he was -awakened by the noise, he crept out of his hut near the compound and -offered to join the party. His services would most likely have been -accepted had not a negro told the Frenchman that Andreas was very fond -of the young Seor and that he would be of no use. - -Simon, always on the look-out for treachery, told Andreas to go back to -his compound, and that when Captain Morgan returned it would then be -seen if the Indian knew anything of the runaway Carlo. - -It was an awful procession which Andreas watched issuing out of the gate -of Santa Teresa. The dusky forms of the negroes with their black woolly -heads, their thick lips grinning at the idea of an exciting chase, -holding in the fierce baying dogs with long leashes, and accompanying by -blows their unearthly howling, and behind these again some -ruffianly-looking pirates taking their orders from the slight, -crafty-looking Frenchman. - -Then at last all was ready, and with another long howl of cruel -eagerness both men and dogs rushed down the steep mountain-side. - -Faithful Andreas had still some work to do; he knew how anxious Doa -Elena would be, and that in truth even Carlo was in great danger. The -Indian sat by his hut for some time, thinking of some plan of escape, -knowing well that Captain Henry Morgan, once back, would make short work -of any fugitives hidden in the woods. Not arriving at any satisfactory -solution, Andreas climbed up to the balcony, and, unfastening the -window, he stole softly to the door of the ladies' room. - -As he had expected, there was still a light burning. The ladies had -been too much afraid of what was going to happen to have the heart to go -to bed; besides, their presence in the chamber guarded Carlo's -hiding-place. Suppose the dogs should trace him to the castle and into -their very presence? The idea made them shudder. Carlo was still -crouching on the top step of the secret staircase, and was not at all -enjoying the situation, when Etta recognised Andreas' whistle and opened -the door carefully to him. - -'What news, Andreas?' she said. 'Oh, it was dreadful! We heard the -dogs baying; it made our blood run cold. Make haste and tell us all you -know.' - -'But the Seor Carlo is safe?' - -'Yes, yes; but Harry Fenn--oh, will they find him?' exclaimed Etta, -almost crying. - -'I hope not, Seorita; but there is much danger for all of you. If the -noble Doa Alvarez will allow me, I will take counsel with the Seor for -a few moments at least.' - -'Are you sure that dreadful Frenchman will not come back, Andreas? He -made us tremble, for he looked so evil.' - -'At all events, not till the dogs return. As for the English Seor, he -is safely hidden, if there can be any place safe from those beasts. Had -he been in the hut, they would have had him in a very short time.' - -Carlo had now been let out by Catalina, and he and Andreas were soon -deep in a quick, low-toned conversation. The danger for himself and -Harry was great; most likely the pirates would not spare their lives -after all that had happened; and still no ship was yet in sight. - -'I know but one way, Seor Carlo: there is a small desert island which -is out of the track of the ships, and if we could steal a boat I could -take you and the Seor Harry to it. If we could prepare everything we -might start to-morrow at sunset. I will take care to keep back enough -dried meat from the store and take a skin of water.' - -'But, Andreas, on your return you would be found out; and how could I -leave my aunt and sister?' - -'The ladies will be safe if the ransoms can be paid; and as for myself, -Andreas is cleverer than the Englishmen.' A sweet smile parted the -faithful Indian's lips, and Carlo, who had often experienced this same -boasted cleverness, believed him. 'And when Andreas returns he will -look after the ladies; but for yourself, Seorito, there is great -danger. They are bent upon finding you, and Coca the negro saw you, and -betrayed you to the Frenchman for a sum of money.' - -This plan seemed the only one that could suggest itself to the two bold -spirits. Harry Fenn's retreat could not long be kept a secret, as he -must have food taken to him, and every visit to the tree of refuge made -the discovery either by dogs or men more probable. What Andreas did not -reveal, however, to Carlo was that for him this expedition was almost -sure to lead to harm. His absence was certain to be discovered or -betrayed, even though he meant to arrange during his absence for the -well-being of the cattle under his charge; and if discovered Andreas -knew that his life would be taken. He had faced the question, and had -accepted the danger, for his love for Carlo was stronger than any fear -of death. - -Carlo explained what had been decided upon, and though Felipa and -Catalina both cried at the idea of the separation, Doa Elena saw that -this plan was the only one which gave her nephew a chance of safety. - -'Ah, Andreas, God will reward you,' she said, taking the Indian's hand -in hers; 'for we poor captives can but give you thanks.' - -Etta, who had been listening to all this, now added anxiously: - -'But, dear Carlo, suppose Andreas does not return, how can we ever find -you or Harry?' - -'I will tell you, Seora,' said Andreas. 'You are right to ask, for the -island has no name for the white men, and I never myself knew of a ship -that stopped there. Give me some paper.' - -Taking the parchment-like pith, which was all the prisoners could -procure to write on, Andreas roughly marked out with a thorn the -position of the island with regard to its distance from St. Catherine, -making clever indications to show where dangerous rocks were to be -found, and on which side the island could be approached. - -'Keep that by you, Seorita, and if you can get away in a big ship, the -Captain will understand where to find the Seor Carlo.' He then made -his Indian salutation and departed, saying he had much to do before the -next sunset, and that if all were well he would come and fetch the Seor -Carlo the next evening; but, till then, he advised great care, for fear -of discovery. - -It was, indeed, a very anxious day the family spent, but also a busy -one. Felipa made a little needle-book for her brother; Etta plaited him -a basket; and Catalina did up two blankets in as small a bundle as was -possible: whilst Doa Elena unsewed some gold pieces she had secreted -about her, and made a belt for Carlo, in which she hid this money, in -case they sighted a ship and needed provisions or passage-money. Then, -lastly, when the soldier's visit was over, and they had heard from him -that the dog-hunt had not been successful, for the animals had lost the -scent: but they meant to go again when the moon rose, being sure the -young rascal was hidden somewhere in the woods, for a negro had seen him -with his own eyes--then at last Carlo came out of his dismal -hiding-place, and all together the prisoners earnestly prayed for a safe -journey, and that God would save them out of the hands of their enemies. -Felipa cried much as she kissed her brother, feeling sure she would -never see him again; and Etta sent messages to Harry, saying he was not -to forget her if he went home to England, and to tell her uncle of her; -and, lastly, Catalina invoked every blessing which every saint could -give on her dear foster-child. Then came Andreas' call; he had done -wonders, having procured a boat, which he had hidden in a creek right at -the foot of Santa Teresa, and where Harry now was awaiting them, hardly -daring to move for fear of making the slightest noise and so attracting -the guards. And thus once more, the friends were scattered. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - IN A LONELY SPOT. - - -The dark night happily favoured them; and what was also in their favour -was the fact that Sieur Simon's boat lay at anchor, and his hoys had -been plying backwards and forwards all the afternoon, making the men on -guard pay but little attention to the gentle plash of the oars as -Andreas and Harry sent the long boat shooting off into the bay. One -thought distressed the faithful Andreas: he had done his best to lay in -a store of food, but he knew it was a very inadequate provision if the -boys were to be left long in the desert island. - -No one spoke for some time; then, when they had safely passed the ship, -and were well out to sea, they had plenty to say to each other. Harry -told how he had heard the baying of the dogs from his hiding-place; how -they had come nearer and nearer, and he had felt a strange horror, which -nothing else had ever given him before, at the idea of being torn in -pieces by those blood-thirsty animals; then how the sounds had told him -the dogs were close at hand, the shouting and yelling negroes urging -them on, and the pirates mingling oaths with these cries as they were -entangled in the scrub or the mangrove branches. Yes, and at last they -had come close by, up to the foot of the tree, and had paused there as -the baying dogs rushed round and round undecided, till one of them had -evidently scented out the trail made by Andreas, and the negroes had -hunted the dogs forward. Harry's face as he told the story still bore -traces of the terrible ordeal he had passed through during those few -moments of intense suspense. - -'I fancied before that I was brave, but I only know that when I heard -those evil beasts I had no more courage left in me than a zany at a -village fair; and when they had passed by, I lay on the floor of my -hiding-place as if I were already dead. I have never before been in such -dire terror of my life; but in truth such barbarous ways are not honest -warfare.' - -'Yet I saw my father hunted down by wild dogs,' said Andreas, on whom -this fact had made a lasting impression; and Carlo looked grave, for he -knew well enough that his people it was who had perpetrated such -cruelties on the gentle Indians, and that Spain would ever have to bear -the shame of the first cruelties in the New World--cruelties which other -nations had not been slow to adopt; till the black plague-spot had -spread all over the fair lands and the newly discovered islands. - -All night they rowed hard, and when daylight came, and with it all the -glory of the tropical sunrise, St. Catherine was no longer in sight; and -unless any other knew the secret of the desert island and betrayed the -knowledge to Sieur Simon, they were saved. Each in his own heart -thanked God. - -Harry's face began to recover its more cheerful expression: he was not -leaving his loved ones as was Carlo; but was this journey bringing him -much nearer his own home? - -'When shall we sight this place?' asked Carlo wearily, when the sun -beating down on their heads reminded him that he was now not nearly as -strong as before his illness; 'and what do you call it, Andreas? It -seems as if we were going to a land of nowhere.' - -'It has no name known to the white men, Seor; but my father, who took -me there when I was a boy, always called it by an Indian name which -meant "Queen of the Water," because of the one tall Jagua palm-tree -which stands high and solitary on it, and can be seen from a long -distance.' - -'Then we are already in sight,' said Harry suddenly. 'Look, Andreas, -there, right ahead! You have come straight as an arrow.' - -This welcome news gave them fresh courage, and on they sped. Nearer and -nearer they came; they could now discern the wild scrub bordering the -sand on which the surf painted a long line of white foam; they could see -the motion of the leaves as the soft breeze disturbed the luxuriant -undergrowth; but suddenly Andreas, standing up, dropped his oar from -sheer surprise. - -'Queen of the Water is not a desert island now!' he said. 'Look, -Seor!' - -The boys also gazed now at the shore; and there, sure enough, on a small -rock that jutted out into the sea, they saw a weird-looking figure -walking slowly up and down, and waving long thin arms as if to warn off -the intruders. The man, who hardly looked human even from this -distance, appeared to be intent only on this one action; and so strange -did it seem, that the three looked at each other with the same question -expressed on their faces, and this was, 'Shall we land?' - - - [Illustration: "_SHALL WE LAND?_" (missing from book)] - - -'If there is one man there may be more,' said Carlo, in despair; 'but I -can row no more. We may as well be killed here as go on to another -island and die by the way.' - -'He is no Indian, but a white man,' remarked Andreas, again scanning the -rock; 'his beard is long, and his hair too. He either wishes us ill, or -wishes to warn us from some danger; and yet I never heard of any one -living here. This is indeed a misfortune.' - -'Well, we must risk it,' said Harry, seeing Carlo was looking terribly -white and done up; 'and I think if we run the boat in here, at our right -hand, that old fellow will not come up with us till we are well landed, -for he will have nigh upon a mile to walk. If I'm not right, you may -call me an ass for my pains, Carlo.' - -Andreas approved, and presently they were obliged to keep all their wits -sharp in order to enter the semicircular harbour, for there was some -danger in getting the boat through the tumbling surf. But the Indian -was too well accustomed to landing a boat to come to grief, and very -soon the three stood on firm land; and after dragging up the boat out of -reach of the waves, they looked anxiously around their new home. Near -them, above the low cliff, was a clearing made by nature, where grew -bananas, cacao, and bois-immortel, among which could also be seen a few -orange-trees and Avocado pears; so that there was no fear of dying of -thirst. But what interested them most was the strange weird figure, -who, instead of following them, still kept on the same rock, and still -waved his arms as if warding off some visible enemy. Andreas gazed a -few minutes in silence; then all at once his eyes lighted up. - -'It is no enemy: it must be a poor man whom the pirates have brought -here. That is their fashion. I have heard them speak of it. They land -some one who has offended them, and leave him to die alone; though often -they will give him a musket and a little powder.' - -'Then I should say that poor man is mad,' said Harry. 'If so, he may be -more dangerous than a pirate. But look, Andreas; if the pirates have -been once they may come again.' - -'No, not for many a long day; they must have sighted this desert island -by chance, and landed this poor man here, knowing it was uninhabited.' - -'Well, I will go and see what I can make of him,' said Harry, 'whilst -you get a rest, Carlo; for you must not be ill here, and Andreas will -begin unloading the boat.' - -'Take care, Harry,' cried Carlo; 'nay, wait: I will come with you--I -can't bear you to run the risk alone.' - -'I have been through so many perilous scrapes that one more or less -makes but little difference. Still, come along, Seorito, we may perhaps -make the poor man forget his troubles.' - -So the two walked slowly along the shore till they came within a few -yards of the weird figure; and Harry, wishing to attract his attention, -called out to him and asked him what he did there. Then the figure -paused, and gazed at the new-comers as if they were an unfamiliar sight, -and began muttering through his long grey beard Spanish words of no -meaning. - -'Seor Carlo, this poor fellow is a Spaniard; but I see no sign of a -musket. Speak to him, and ask him where he sleeps, and why he is here.' - -Carlo began very courteously to inquire how the stranger had reached the -island, as no boat was in sight; but suddenly he stopped short in his -sentence, and clung wildly to Harry. - -'Harry, Harry Fenn, look again, that man is--can you not see? It is my -father; and yet I hardly knew him. See the ring on his finger?' Harry -would certainly not have recognised the Marquis, whom he had seen but -little of; but in his astonishment he called out his name. - -'The Seor Estevan del Campo! Surely it cannot be! Gracious Heaven!' - -'Yes, yes,' said the poor man, 'that is my name. Who called me? Yes, -yes, Estevan del Campo!' - -'Oh, sir, here is your son,' said Harry; and then Carlo, summoning up -his courage, rushed toward his poor father and knelt by his side. - -'Father, father, do you not know me? I am Carlo, your son. Forgive me -if I ever spoke harshly, father.' - -'Carlo my son? No, no, I have no son, no country. Don't let any one -come here to find out my hiding-place; I warn them off. The pirates -left me here; that was the kindest thing they did for me. I have no -name, no titles. Don't tell any one where I am. What do they call -it?--marooning--they marooned me, left me to die alone. It was their -kindness; I bear them no grudge for doing that. No name, no country!' - -'No, no,' cried Carlo; 'we will take care of you, father; you shall not -die alone.' And turning his arm round the poor thin arm of his father, -Carlo dragged him forward; and Harry, following behind, wiped away a few -tears from his eyes; for it was indeed a sight to have touched the -hardest heart. But evidently the poor Marquis was out of his mind and -had not much longer to live. - -The sound of human voices seemed to soothe him after a time; and when -they reached the shade of the grove where Andreas had set out some food -for the travellers, he was no longer muttering his few sentences. The -surprise of the Indian can easily be imagined, and the poor fellow's -pity for his old master was quite touching to witness, even though he -had never received much kindness at his hands. Little by little the -Marquis began to take in dimly that Carlo was with him, and to accept -the services of Andreas as he waited on him; but though not actually -starved, he had taken but little trouble to collect food, and the horror -of loneliness and shame at his past treason seemed to have done the work -of years. Carlo, who had all along been feeling a grudge against his -father, could now forgive and forget everything. - -'Oh, Andreas, how fortunate it was that you brought us here! Stay with -us now, and do not go back to St. Catherine: I am so much afraid that -your absence will be discovered, and then---- Do stay, and let us share -our misfortunes and our luck.' - -It was a great temptation to Andreas, and for a few moments he brooded -in silence over the proposal; but he had learnt Christianity in a way -not understood by many Christians. He considered that if he stayed he -would certainly save himself, but if he returned he might help to save -the poor ladies, who had now no protectors; and Andreas knew that the -word of a pirate was but a poor thing to trust in. He believed that he -could help them, and anyhow he could give them the knowledge that Carlo -was safe and that the Marquis was found. What did his life matter? Had -not the Padre told him these words: 'Greater love hath no man than this, -that a man lay down his life for his friends,' and to the poor Indian -the words were simple and powerful, and to be, if needs were, carried -out literally. It took him but a few moments to make up his mind. - -'Andreas must go back,' he said, smiling, now his decision was made; -'for the Seora and the Seorita will want to know the good news, and -they may want also to come to the Queen of the Water. Andreas loves -Seor Carlo dearly, but he will go away first and then come again.' - -So towards evening, several hours before the sun set, Andreas was -escorted to the boat, while the boys helped to push it off from the -shore, and the Marquis stood by once more as if he were giving orders, -though he merely said, 'Tell them, Andreas, that I did it for the best. -The rascals deceived me. Tell them that, Andreas, and don't let my -little Felipa think badly of me.' - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - SAVED. - - -Captain Morgan had sent word from Jamaica, whither he had gone after the -taking of Panama, that he might be expected in a few days at St. -Catherine, as he was going to fortify it against any future attack of -the Spaniards. The Captain had taken the lion's share of the booty, -and, finding the loud murmurs of the men to be more than disagreeable, -he set sail one evening and left the fleet to do as it thought best. -Still, he was anxious to get back to St. Catherine to conclude his -ransoms, and Sieur Simon had been instructed to watch closely that none -of the prisoners escaped. What was, then, Simon's rage at finding that -not only Carlo, but that young viper, as he called him, Harry Fenn, had -escaped in the night, and that Andreas the Indian had carried out the -whole plan. Unfortunately, the negro whom Andreas had trusted had turned -informer, fearing when the Indian came back he might suffer punishment. - -The negro only escaped instant hanging by promising to betray Andreas on -his return, and the better to secure this he was to meet him and tell -him nothing had been discovered. 'As to the hiding-place of the -vipers,' said Simon,' a little of the rack will make the Indian disclose -it; for if Captain Morgan comes and finds out the truth he may make me -answerable.' To vent his wrath on some one, Simon marched up into the -presence of the ladies and told them all he knew, and his future -intentions. He forbade them ever to leave the two rooms set apart for -them, placed guards in the corridor, and one below the window to which -Carlo and Harry had obtained access. There seemed no hope now left them -of escape, and they could only wait most anxiously for any scrap of news -which might leak out through the very ill-tempered guards Simon had -placed near them. Etta alone would not give in to low spirits: she felt -sure that Andreas would return and would let them know; and as she could -not go and watch by the window in the corridor as formerly, she kept a -good lookout from the sitting-room verandah. She was indeed the -sunshine of the party; for Felipa had drooped again now that Carlo was -gone, and Doa Elena was hardly equal to more exertion and -disappointment. Catalina would speak of the good old time when she had -first come to the island, and when Felipa had been treated as became her -rank. She even began to turn against Etta, as being of the same race as -the hated Morgan. But Etta would not despair nor give up hope; and so -it happened that one day at sundown she heard Andreas' soft whistle -below. - -'Felipa, dear Felipa, listen: that is Andreas! There! Did I not say he -would come back? It is so dark that I cannot see him. What shall we -do, Doa Elena? for the good man will not understand he must not come up -here.' - -They all crept on to the balcony now and listened intently, but the -sound died away; and just as they were beginning again to despair there -was a knock at the door and the negro Coca entered, bowing very humbly -before them as he presented a letter to Doa Elena. - -'Andreas is not able to come himself, lady, but he sends letter, and -wants answer.' - -Doa Elena opened the parchment quickly; but Etta, who was looking on, -said hurriedly: - -'How did the guards let you pass if they will not allow Andreas to have -speech with us?' - -'I was very cunning, Seorita: I said that I had great news to give the -Seora.' - -Etta, still puzzled, listened to the words of the note, which Doa Elena -translated into French so that the negro should not understand. - - -'The Seor Carlo and the Seor Harry are safe. They have found the -noble father. I cannot see you yet. God protect you! - -'ANDREAS.' - - -'Andreas waits for answer,' said the negro. - -'Do not send one, Doa Elena,' cried Etta quickly, in spite of herself -suspecting some plot; for what answer should Andreas require? He could -hear for himself that they were safe, but Felipa said pettishly: - -'Nay but, dear aunt, send him word that he must get us delivered from -this prison; I am weary of being shut up.' - -Doa Elena, thinking of no harm, yielded; and soon the negro retired, -grinning as he again bowed low. - -'I never can like those black creatures,' said Catalina, turning up her -nose in disgust. 'Indians are all very well; but negroes--no, no, -Seora, you should never trust a negro.' - -'Nonsense, Catalina! My dear husband said it was because we treated the -negroes so badly that they were sometimes treacherous. Alas! we -Spaniards have much to answer for in that respect.' - -Catalina was not convinced, and kept on muttering that Andreas might be -trusted because his colour was brown, but that black was the colour of -the Evil One. Could she have seen what was going on below she might, -perhaps, have made even the enlightened Seora agree with her. The -negro had taken the note straight to the Sieur Simon, and in a few -minutes more Andreas was seized and dragged into his presence, and -confronted with it. The Indian saw that the negro had betrayed his -trust, and, setting his teeth tight together, he stood before his enemy -silent and brave. - -'Tell me, dog of an Indian, where thou hast been, and where thou hast -hidden those young whelps,' said Simon, angrily. But Andreas was not -going to tell him. - -'As well answer, for I know everything; the negro has told me; and if -thou ownest thy fault I will forgive thee,' said Simon. But Andreas -felt sure this was a trap: no one knew the retreat of Seor Carlo--no -one at least at St. Catherine. - -'Come, my men, here is a dumb dog: see if a little torture will worm out -the secret.' - -We must draw the veil over the horrible torments which noble Andreas -endured. It was a cruel age, but the desperate men who had broken loose -from their country, their religion, and their laws outdid all the -cruelties of the age, and fancied because the poor defenceless Indians -could not now revenge themselves they were fair game. When nature could -bear no more, and the half-dead man was thrown into a dungeon, not a -word having been extracted from him, Sieur Simon was rather sorry he had -ordered the torturers to go on to such a length, for now it was doubtful -if he could ever get any information from him, and he had been told that -Andreas knew many valuable secrets which would now most likely die with -him. - -That night the pirates had a long carousal, because they knew that next -day Captain Morgan was expected back, and when he came the good things -generally disappeared; so Sieur Simon suddenly bethought himself that -most likely there must be treasure hidden away somewhere or other in -Santa Teresa. He dared not touch Doa Elena or Felipa--they were able -to pay rich ransoms; but his mind turned at once to Etta, the English -girl, who was, of course, merely a slave of the Marquis. Yes, she might -know, and if--well, if--anything happened to her, no one would care -much, and certainly no one would inquire, except Captain Morgan, who had -said the English girl was to be cared for; but he would not grieve much -about any one who could not bring him in any money. - -'Go up, Nat Salt,' he said to an Englishman 'and fetch down that English -wench. I would wager a goblet of wine that she knows where the old -Marquis kept his treasures.' - -'By'r laykin,' said Nat Salt, 'that little cinder witch was rather a -favourite with the Captain. It'll not be safe to meddle with her -over-much.' - -'Nay, I will but make her feel the rope trick round her wrist, and I'll -pledge you a flagon of red wine we shall then know all she does.' - -'There'll be naught more, then, Sieur Simon, or I would rather not -meddle in it; the Captain now and then loses his temper over a mighty -small affair.' - -'My word as a brother,' said Simon, using the term by which pirates -called each other when they were in a good temper. - -Nat knew that even Simon would not break his oath, but he said the -morning would be more convenient for Etta's examination; so that the -poor girl fell asleep without dreaming what was in store for her the -next day. - -Once again Etta was to go down into the great hall, where now only Sieur -Simon was sitting, and she was to be tried in a far harder way even than -by hunger. When the man called Nat Salt came to fetch her, Felipa -seemed to guess that something was the matter, for she clung to her -friend, crying out: - -'Don't take Etta away. Catalina, Aunt Elena, don't let the wicked man -take her. Why is she to go?' - -'Prithee, young madam, don't take it to heart; this English girl is but -wanted to answer a few questions.' But Etta, though pale, would not -show any fear even while her heart sank within her. - -'I will follow you an you touch me not,' she said, raising her fair head -loftily. - -'In truth I'll not touch thee, young one,' said Nat Salt, who had a -curiously soft heart, considering what he had seen and done. 'Come -then, it will not be ten minutes' work. But mind! don't go acting the -dumb dog before that Frenchman; I'fecks, he's as hard as a millstone on -man, woman, or child--Morgan's an angel to him.' - -As they passed out the two soldiers guarding the door stared hard at the -girl, who walked by Nat's side as if she were a princess. - -'There's a bit of sunshine in the wench's hair,' said one of them, 'but -it will go hard with her if she is to get into the hands of the dragon.' - -Poor Etta! it was to go hard with her. - -'Come, child, make haste and tell me what I ask, and then you can go -back to your friends,' said Simon. 'Where did the Marquis hide his gold -before Morgan landed? He must surely have been busy over that work.' - -Etta lifted her pretty head, and gazed at the Frenchman with indignant -blue eyes. - -'As if I should tell the secrets of the Marquis to you!' she said -quickly. - -'Ah! so you are not going to tell--for of course you know?' and he -laughed softly. - -'English girls don't tell tales,' said Etta. - -'Well, we'll see. Come, Nat, where's the rope? A little pressure on the -wrists acts to the tongue like oil to rusty hinges.' - -Etta saw the rope, and some of her courage forsook her. She tried to -run past Nat, but with one stride he caught her, and, twisting the rope -round both her wrists in a peculiar fashion, he began pulling the noose -tight, then tighter. Etta shut her eyes and thought of Carlo and of -Harry. She knew the Marquis had hidden some of the gold in an old well, -under the flags of the inner courtyard, but she did not mean to tell. -God helping her, she would not be a traitor. - -'Now,' said Simon, 'draw it tight, Nat, and see if that won't make her -speak. Where is the gold, girl? Quick, and you shall be released. -One, two--where? Pull tighter, Nat.' - -Etta, in spite of herself, uttered a scream, shrill and piercing, which -made Simon laugh. - -'I thought the bird would pipe to some tune. Come, Nat, a little -tighter. Where is the gold?' - -'It is not mine: how can I tell? I won't! no, I won't! It's Carlo's -money if his father is dead. Oh!' She struggled to get away, but this -only increased her agony. - -'One, two, three; it will hurt more yet if you don't speak.' - -'Come, tell Sieur Simon, wench. You'll not see the Marquis till -Martinmas, if then, so you needn't be afraid of him.' - -Another pull, another sharp agony, and Etta felt that she could bear no -more, when suddenly there was a rush into the hall of some half-dozen -men, all shouting and tumbling over each other, and looking scared out -of their lives. - -Nat immediately let go Etta in sheer astonishment, whilst Simon seized -hold of the foremost man and asked him roughly what was the matter. - -'I'faith, Captain, you may well ask; there's not a minute to spare. -There's a great man-of-war flying the English colours bearing down on us -and on the two ships in the bay, which have but some half-dozen men in -them.' - -'Where's the powder?' cried another; 'the look-out man must have -deserted. Gramercy! let's get out of this gruesome hole, for the walls -have never been rebuilt, and we handful of men can't hold it.' - -'Then we'll put you idle fellows to stop the breach,' cried Simon, -angrily. 'Here, Nat, haste and warn the rest of the garrison. We must -get down to the beach and prevent their landing. The forts are useless, -and that coxcomb Morgan dropped the guns into the sea before he left.' - -In another moment all was confusion, and the men had scattered hither -and thither. Etta had suddenly recovered her presence of mind as soon -as her great pain had ceased; in a moment she understood the situation. -She now ran as quickly as she could up another passage towards the -sitting-room. On the way she met the two guards, who, having just heard -the news, were running helter-skelter over each other to get down to the -courtyard and join their companions. - -'There's a man-o'-war bearing down on us! Marry! there'll not be a man -Jack of us left alive!' - -Etta found that the confusion had spread everywhere; for as she rushed -into the dwelling-room no one prevented her. - -'Catalina! Felipa! free me; prithee cut this dreadful rope. There's an -English man-of-war in sight; and if only it will put in we are saved.' - -'My poor child!' said Doa Elena, with tears in her eyes; for, the rope -being cut, the deep red gashes round Etta's wrists told plainly what she -had suffered. But Etta was now too much excited to feel any pain. She -knew that immediate action was necessary; if only she could find Andreas -perhaps he would put off to the ship in his canoe. But where was he? -She went to the balcony, as no one was guarding it now, and whistled the -Indian's tune; but there was no answer. - -Catalina and Doa Elena, on their side, went to the window that -commanded the bay; and there, sure enough, could be seen the big -man-of-war slowly approaching, and so great was the panic among the -pirates, who were only expecting Captain Morgan, that there was a -furious rush for the boats; believing, as they did, that the Marquis was -on board, and that on his landing not one of them would be spared. - -In the meanwhile Santa Teresa was almost deserted, except by the slaves; -and to one of these Etta addressed herself as to where she could find -Andreas, and was led to the black-hole, where the poor fellow lay only -just conscious. - -'Andreas! dear Andreas!' sobbed Etta. 'Those cruel men--what have they -done to you? But we are saved now. Catalina shall come and nurse you. -Say you are not suffering! Lack-a-day!' - -Old Pedro, who had managed successfully to trim his sails, now ran up, -exclaiming: - -'Thank God! thank God! Seora, the pirates are running off as if a -thousand devils were at their heels. They say the Marquis is on board -the man-of-war, but I know not; anyhow, let's secure our own gates. Ah! -poor Andreas had better have told all he knew; I did, and managed to -keep a whole skin.' - -'Then, Pedro, take a boat and go and tell the Captain that he must come -and take us away, and that I know where Seor Carlo and the English lad -are hidden. Andreas, look up; tell me, are you in pain?' - -But before Catalina or any one else could come, Andreas smiled happily, -tried to speak; then, with a gentle sigh, he died. He had understood -that those he had died for were saved, and that reward was enough for -him. - -Before long St. Catherine was rid of the pirates, for the man-of-war had -brought with it, not Don Estevan del Campo, but the new Governor of -Jamaica, who came to dispossess the former Governor who had abetted the -pirates; for King Charles of England was now sending strict orders that -no buccaneer was to be allowed to set forth from Jamaica to commit any -hostility upon the Spanish nation or any of the people of these islands, -and on his way to Jamaica the new Governor wished to sweep clean of its -pirates the little island of St. Catherine. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - A BAG OF GOLD. - - -The Pitsea Manor Farm was a dull place enough now, even though the -beautiful sunshine made Nature look at her best on this September -afternoon; but Mr. Fenn and his wife seemed to have no longer any heart -left for joy, and they had settled that there was to be no harvest-home -on the farm, for ever since the disappearance of their son the worthy -couple could do nothing but mourn. They had indeed gone through -terrible sorrow, and their only comfort had been the long talks Mr. -Aylett had had with them, and his firm belief that Harry had not run -away, as the lad said he had once thought of doing, but that he had in -truth been kidnapped. - -Mr. Aylett, being the brother of a rich squire, had powerful friends, -and he had done all in his power to find out news of Harry; but in those -days news travelled but slowly; and though much was guessed, the truth -had never been exactly ascertained. - -At this moment Mr. Aylett was seen by the worthy Fenns to be walking -towards the farm, and very soon he was sitting by the sad-looking yeoman -in the great farm-hall, beginning as usual to talk of Harry. - -'I've told the men I'll have naught to do with a harvest-home,' said Mr. -Fenn, decidedly. 'I'll give them money for the feast, and they may go -and dance their round reels on the green; but, now my poor boy is dead, -I care not for sounds of music, and joy does but make me dizzy.' - -'And yet the Bible tells us to "rejoice always," good neighbour,' said -Mr. Aylett. 'Is it right to deprive others of joy when God has taken -ours from us? Is not this somewhat selfish grief, and displeasing to -God?' - -'It is my whim, Mr. Aylett. I cannot feel like Job, for when I see the -lads a-merrymaking I think of my poor Harry's goodly countenance, and my -heart seems like to break.' - -'The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away,' said Mrs. Fenn gently--'so -I tell Mr. Fenn; but such an ado I have to be a-comforting him that -sometimes I forget my own sore grief. It's a wonder I ever lived -through that time; and now when I sit in a quiet coigne I fancy I'm -another woman and in truth not Harry's mother. At this harvest-time I -think of the new doublet I had always ready for him, and how handsome he -looked. Lack-a-day!' - -'Tut, tut, woman!' said her husband, who liked to think his grief was -the greatest, 'the lad was more to me than to thee. You know how he -would follow me about when he could but just toddle. Ay, ay, Mr. -Aylett, you too know what he was like. It was a sight to see him riding -about the farm; and now there's no one of my name as will inherit this -place. And as for my cousin who has an eye to the place, i' faith he's -but a poor creature--ay, a paltry ass.' - -'The Lord can bring back your boy,' said the clergyman, with a quiet -assurance that appeared to be galling to the yeoman. - -'I said naught to the contrary, Mr. Aylett; but there's a sight of -things that the Lord could do as never happen in this world; and my -boy's dead--I know it; and meseems, in truth, it's folly thinking on it -longer.' - -''Tis much lacking in faith, good Mr. Fenn, that you are. For my part, -I believe Harry will come home, and----' But here the keener-witted -mother started up and called out: - -'Mr. Aylett's heard news of Harry! Speak out, sir, or this old heart -will break; for my head feels dizzy. Speak out, sir, for God's sake!' -And Mr. Aylett now saw that he had sufficiently prepared the old people -for the joy that he had to tell them, and, standing up reverently, he -said: - -'Ay, ay, good friends, God's name be praised! Harry is safe and sound, -and has a long and wonderful story to tell you.' - -'But where is he--oh, my boy! my boy! You're not deceiving me, Mr. -Aylett, else God have mercy on you!' - -'God forbid! Harry is in my house--brought here by a Captain Carew -himself; and with him is come an English maid who was a fellow-prisoner -in the West Indies. But I must tell no tales, and I bade him follow me -anon--and, ay, look you, there he is, so I'll leave you to hear his own -story, and go back to the maid, to whom my wife has taken a huge fancy -already, for there is as much sunlight in her eyes as there is gold in -our autumn corn; and, indeed, hers is as strange a history as you could -find even in tales of our Chaucer.' - -We must leave Harry to tell his own wonderful adventures, but Etta had -already recounted to Mr. and Mrs. Aylett how Captain Carew had been -kindness itself to the prisoners of Santa Teresa when he landed at St. -Catherine, and how he had taken all the party on board, and, after -landing the new Governor at Jamaica, had gone to the island where Carlo -and Harry Fenn had been left, helped to find it by the rude chart which -Andreas had drawn. It can be easily understood how happy was the -meeting, and how Doa Elena landed to see her brother's grave, and heard -how he had died in Carlo's arms. Then, last, Captain Carew had taken -them all on board again, and had landed the Spaniards in Spain, and Etta -had been comforted at the loss of Felipa by Carlo's saying that she must -come some day as an honoured guest to his home; that when he was a man -he would travel to England, as he meant to be a Spanish Ambassador at -the Court of King Charles. Then how excited she had been when she first -beheld the shores of England, and knew that she was indeed no longer a -prisoner, but a free English girl. Captain Carew, having relations of -his own near South Benfleet, had himself taken the young people to Mr. -Aylett, as Harry, now thoughtful beyond his years, knew that his sudden -reappearance at home might cause too great a shock to his parents; -besides, he thought Mr. Aylett could best judge what was to be done -about finding Etta Allison's relations. - -You can all imagine the joy of the homecoming; but I must add that there -was a grand harvest-home that year at Pitsea Manor Farm, and such joy as -never had been. What made it seem so wonderful to Harry was that Etta -was there, dressed in a pretty gown of white _sm_; and that he led off -the country dance with her; and that her sweet, brave face made the -whole hall appear merry; for, as Mrs. Fenn said, 'all could see Etta was -dancing a very Barley Bree o' mirth.' - -Her uncle had been found, and had come over to see her; but, being an -old bachelor, he was glad enough to pay a yearly sum to Mrs. Aylett, and -to let her stay with that excellent lady; saying he should leave her all -his money, and stipulating that she was to pay him yearly visits. No -wonder Etta was happy as she danced with Harry, or told stories of the -past. - - ---- - -Will you like to hear something more, and can you guess that when Harry -Fenn married, his bride was Etta Allison? And Carlo del Campo was, in -truth, present, as he had really joined the Embassy--though he was not -yet Ambassador--but he said at the wedding that he owed his success to -Etta, who had taught him English. Poor Felipa died just before Carlo's -journey. She had never recovered the effects of all the hardships and -sorrows she had gone through; but before her death she sent some of her -jewels to her dear Etta, and begged her not to forget her; which, as -Etta's heart was big, she was not likely to do. You can imagine what -talks they all had together; and perhaps the most wonderful piece of -news that Harry told Don Carlo was that Captain Henry Morgan had now -turned over a new leaf, and that the King had knighted him, and made him -Governor of Jamaica; and that, wonderful to relate, he was now called -Sir Henry Morgan, a brave and loyal gentleman. Truly it was a case of -'set a thief to catch a thief,' for the pirates were now no longer -tolerated in Jamaica; and Sir Henry was said to be vastly clever at -hunting them down. - -Some years later, when there were happy children running about the old -Pitsea farmhouse, there came a mysterious visitor to Benfleet. He gave -no name, but wished to see Harry Fenn, who was now the owner of the -farm; and when he was gone, Harry called his pretty wife Etta, who was -all curiosity to know what the visitor wanted; and then he showed her a -large bag, full of gold pieces--such a sum and such a glittering mass as -Etta and Harry had never seen all at once before in their lives; and on -a piece of parchment was written: - -'For my godson Harry Fenn: a marriage portion for him and the little -witch, albeit they were so ungrateful and unmindful of their -well-wisher, Sir Henry Morgan.' - -The gold pieces were of every nationality, and from every recognised -mint; and some of them looked as if they had been kept many years in -secret hiding-places known only to Sir Henry Morgan. - -'This money,' said Harry, 'is, if I mistake not, gold that was stolen in -Sir Henry Morgan's raids. What think you, sweetheart? I like not the -colour of it; and these adventures brought me but one gold coin of true -ring in it, and that was my own wee wife.' - -'For shame, Harry,' laughed Etta, 'to liken me to gold, which the Bible -calls the root of all evil! But why not give it to Mr. Aylett for the -poor on Canvey Island? Thou knowest, dear Harry, that there are many in -need there, round about the little Church of St. Catherine; and if it -goes to the service of that church it will remind us of all our troubles -on the other St. Catherine; and remind us, too, not to forget to be -grateful to God for our past deliverance.' - -'A right good thought, sweetheart! And what say you to putting up a -stained glass window of St. Catherine herself? And beside the wheel we -will place a cord in her hand, which will be in memory of the cruel knot -of which you still bear the marks.' - -'For shame, Harry! Nay, I was no saint. Why, if Captain Carew had not -come in the nick of time, I should, perhaps, have told everything I -knew. There, put up the gold pieces in their bag--I cannot abide the -sight of them; but Mr. Aylett will say, I am sure, that God can, and He -will, sanctify even stolen treasure.' - -And so out of evil they brought forth good, as all can do who set their -minds to it. But that evening, when Mr. Aylett, with much surprise, -received the gold, he asked Harry, laughingly, if he were of the same -mind as of old, and if he would still like to wander forth. - -'If Etta would come too, I would not mind seeing those beautiful lands -again,' he said. 'But, what with mother and the children, I know right -well she will not travel again for many a long year.' - -'Prithee, then, go alone, Harry, an it please you,' said his wife; and -as Harry shook his head in a very determined fashion, Etta Fenn fell -a-laughing softly, knowing well that her husband would never leave her -for all the gold of the West Indies. - - - - - FINIS - - - - - PRINTED BY - SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE - LONDON - - - - - - - ---- - - - - - - - NATIONAL SOCIETY'S - BOOKS - FOR - PRIZES & REWARDS - - - - - NEW STORY BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG - - PUBLISHED BY THE - - NATIONAL SOCIETY - - - - BY CHARLOTTE M. YONGE - - THE CROSS ROADS - -By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE, Author of "The Heir of Redclyffe," &c. With Five -Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 3s. 6d. - -A story of life in domestic service at Langhope Mead, with some amusing -sketches of character both in the servants' hall and in the neighbouring -village. The difficulties and troubles that beset Emmeline Osborne in -keeping faithful to the promise she had made to her dead mother, and her -final victory, will be found to form an excellent lesson for elder -girls. - - - - BY THE AUTHOR OF "THE ATELIER DU LYS" - - NOT ONE OF US - -By the Author of "Mademoiselle Mori," "The Atelier du Lys," &c. With -Five Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -Descriptive of the career of a young schoolmistress in Northern Italy, -and of the manners and customs of the folk dwelling in the valley of -Fiorasca. The lonely life of the Dutchwoman, Fransje, who has married -Benedetto Balli, and the good deeds she does, form a touching picture -that is full of pathos. - - - - BY THE AUTHOR OF "STARWOOD HALL" - - THE GOLDEN BUCKLE - -By the Author of "Starwood Hall," "Peckover's Mill," &c. With Five -Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 3s. 6d. - -A story of London in the year of the Great Plague, showing how one John -Garside, a hosier in Holborn, and his family took refuge on board The -Golden Buckle, which was then lying in the river with a cargo of sugar -and spice, and of the various things that befell them and theirs during -the long hot summer. - - - - BY C. R. COLERIDGE - - MAX, FRITZ, AND HOB - -By C. R. COLERIDGE, Author of "The Green Girls of Greythorpe" &c. With -Four Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. - -A tale of adventure four hundred years ago. The scene is laid -principally at the Castle of Lindenberg, in the Bavarian highlands, and -the story is chiefly concerned with the doings of two cousins, named Max -and Fritz, and of a tame bear, which they have christened Hob. The book -inculcates some admirable lessons on the duty of kindness to animals. - - - - BY M. & C. LEE - - ST. DUNSTAN'S FAIR - -By M. & C. LEE, Authors of "The Family Coach," &c. With Three Full-page -Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. -6d. - -"St. Dunstan's Fair" tells of the folks living in a small country -village in Kent, in the year of Waterloo, of what happened at the Fair -itself, and of the consequences to Nancy Springett and poor George -Colgate. The account of the visit paid by Molly and Chris to their -grandfather, Mr. Openshaw, and of the part played by the two children, -lend the story considerable variety of interest. - - - - BY MARY H. DEBENHAM - - MOOR AND MOSS - -By MARY H. DEBENHAM, Author of "For King and Home," &c. With Three -Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 2s. 6d. - -A story of the Border in the first half of the sixteenth century, of the -struggles that were for ever taking place, and the raids that were being -made, and (in particular) of the Armstrongs of Birkhope and the -Musgraves of Fairgill, and how peace and happiness were at last brought -to all. - - - - BY M. BRAMSTON - - THE ADVENTURES OF DENIS - -By M. BRAMSTON, Author of "Abby's Discoveries," &c. With Three -Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 2s. 6d. - -The adventures in question are those of Denis Lyndale while staying, -first at Liberty Hall on the high road between Derby and Chester, and -afterwards at Cathendean, in the hilly district of the Peak, and are -closely connected with the rising of 1745 and the retreat of Prince -Charles Edward from Derby to the north again. - - - - BY ESM STUART - - A SMALL LEGACY - -By ESME STUART, Author of "The Silver Mine," &c. With Two Full-page -Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -A story for children, concerning the life led by the coastguardsmen and -their families at St. Alban's Head, and showing how it is possible for -boys and girls to be brave and honourable in all their actions, and, -sometimes, even heroic. Little Peter is a pathetic figure, and one that -is likely to prove interesting to young and old. - - - - BY M. BRAMSTON - - LOTTIE LEVISON - -By M. BRAMSTON, Author of "A Village Genius," &c. With Two Full-page -Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -A South London story for young women and elder girls, describing how -Lottie Levison, from being brought up in a home of doubtful honesty, -conceived a desire to become "respectable," and not only succeeded, but -grew conscious of still better hopes, and was filled with a longing to -shed sunshine around her and to teach others the means of getting the -happiness which she had gained for herself. - - - - BY ESM STUART - - A NEST OF ROYALISTS - -By ESME STUART, Author of "Cast Ashore," &c. With Two Full-page -Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Cloth boards, gilt, price 1s. 6d. - -A story of Blois in the year 1832, of an English family--the -Merediths--who went to live there, and of the circumstances under which -they became connected with a Royalist plot against the rule of Louis -Philippe. The description of the hiding-places of some of the -conspirators is likely to prove attractive alike to boys and girls. - - - - - In addition to the preceding, the following Prize - Books are also published by the Society:-- - - - - BY CHARLOTTE M. YONGE - -Author of "The Heir of Redclyffe," "Cameos from English History," &c.. - - - - THE CONSTABLE'S TOWER - -Or, The Times of Magna Charta. With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. -O. MURRAY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A tale of the days of Magna Charta, showing the nobility of the -character of Hubert de Burgh, and his loyalty to his king under very -trying circumstances, and concluding with a spirited description of the -sea-tight off Dover. - -"One of the best children's books published this season."--WESTERN -ANTIQUARY. - - - - THE SLAVES OF SABINUS - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -A powerful story of the Christian Church in the days when Vespasian was -the Roman Emperor, and his more genial son Titus was freshly returned -from his conquest of the Jews. - -"It is a story on a theme that draws all hearts--Christian faith and -martyrdom in the first century."--GUARDIAN. - - - - THE CUNNING WOMAN'S GRANDSON - -A Story of Cheddar a Hundred Years Ago. With Five Full-page -Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 3s. 6d. - -An attractive story of the social and religious improvements that wore -made in the Cheddar district through the philanthropic zeal of Miss -Hannah More and her sisters. - - - - UNDER THE STORM - -Or, Steadfast's Charge. With Six Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -In "Under the Storm" the author of "The Heir of Redclyffe" depicts the -troublous experiences of the family of a small yeoman farmer during the -great Civil War. - -"'Under the Storm' is in all respects worthy of the reputation of the -author of 'The Heir of Redclyffe.'"--SPECTATOR. - - - - OUR NEW MISTRESS - -Or, Changes at Brookfield Earl. With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. -J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -"Our New Mistress" depicts with much truth to life the difficulties met -with by a young trained schoolmistress in taking charge of a village -school where innovations were not welcomed. Jessie Martin, however, -finally emerges successfully from all troubles and difficulties. - -"The Schoolmistress's story has just the dash of primness which makes it -quite perfect."--SPECTATOR. - - - - BY FRANCES MARY PEARD - - Author of "The Rose Garden," "The Country Cousin," - "Paul's Sister," &c. - - - - THE ABBOT'S BRIDGE - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -A story of life on the road in the time of Edward the Third, and of the -great rising of the townspeople of Bury St. Edmunds against the -authorities at the Abbey. - -"Miss Peard should find her popularity increased by 'The Abbot's -Bridge.' It is a capital story, vigorously told."--MANCHESTER GUARDIAN. - - - - THE LOCKED DESK - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -In this book Miss Peard has left the historical field in which most of -her previous tales for young people have lain, giving us instead a story -of the present day, in which certain documents in Mrs. Barton's locked -desk play an important part. - - - - THE BLUE DRAGON - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. TANILAND. 8vo, bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -"The Blue Dragon" is the sign of an inn at Chester, where the scene of -the story is laid, in the discontented, turbulent times that followed -immediately upon the battle of Bosworth Field. - -"Every page is full of stirring interest."--CHURCH TIMES. - - - - SCAPEGRACE DICK - -With Four Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -A spirited story of adventure in England and the Low Countries in the -days of the Commonwealth. - -"A book for boys, which will be read with equal pleasure by their -sisters."--PALL MALL GAZETTE. - - - - PRENTICE HUGH - -With Six Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -"Prentice Hugh" gives a graphic account of life during the reign of -Edward the First, mainly in the cathedral city of Exeter. - -"Another excellent book.... Both boys and girls will enjoy reading -'Prentice Hugh'; it is in all respects one of the best books of the -season."--ST. AMES'S GAZETTE. - - - - TO HORSE AND AWAY - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -The fortunes of a Royalist family in the times of the Great Civil War -form the leading theme of Miss Peard's story, which, together with many -adventures, gives a few graphic scenes from the life of Charles II. in -his flight from Worcester Field. - -"'To Horse and Away' will certainly give pleasure to girls and -boys-alike."--SATURDAY REVIEW. - - - - - BY THE AUTHOR OF "MADEMOISELLE MORI" &c. - - - KINSFOLK AND OTHERS - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. O. MURRAY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -A study in the conflicting duties that claim the obedience of Olive -Garth, who has been brought up from her earliest days by her -grandmother, and whose mother returns from Australia after an absence of -seventeen years. - - - - BANNING AND BLESSING - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -Descriptive of country life on the confines of wild Dartmoor, at the -beginning of the present century. The banning of Lois Smerdon, the -black witch, at length comes to an end, and so plentiful are the -blessings which follow that all ends happily and full of promise for the -future. - -"A capital specimen of a book for girls."--SATURDAY REVIEW. - - - - A LITTLE STEP-DAUGHTER - -With Six Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -"A Little Step-daughter" is descriptive of life in the South of France -in the early part of the eighteenth century. - -"The anonymous authoress of 'Mademoiselle Mori' is one of the most -delightful of writers for girls. Her books are characterised by a -delicacy of touch rarely met with."--STANDARD. - - - - - BY M. & C. LEE - - Authors of "The Oak Staircase," "Joachim's Spectacles," &c. - - - - THE FAMILY COACH - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A story of a family of children, their schemes and plans, and the -misfortunes that consequently ensue, in the course of a journey from -London to Mentone, where they are to meet their parents, who have just -returned from India. - -"'The Family Coach' is as attractive within as without."--TIMES. - - - - GOLDHANGER WOODS - -A Child's Romance. With Two Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -"Goldhanger Woods" is the story of the romantic adventure of a young -girl a hundred years ago among a band of desperate smugglers. - -"This 'child's romance' is ingeniously planned and well -executed."--SPECTATOR. - - - - MRS. DIMSDALE'S GRANDCHILDREN - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A large number of old Mrs. Dimsdale's grand children are gathered -together one Christmas time at the Downs House in Sussex. Milly, in -emulation of Aunt Hetty, writes a play, and this receives a preliminary -public reading by Aunt Hetty. Difficulties intervene, but everything -comes right in the end, and the story concludes with the acting of -Milly's play. - -"Full of stir and spirit."--GUARDIAN. - - - - - BY M. BRAMSTON - - Author of "A Woman of Business," "Rosamond Ferrars," &c. - - - - ABBY'S DISCOVERIES - -With Three Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -The story of the successive discoveries, in very ordinary matters, that -little Abigail made in her earliest years, and the meaning and lessons -which they have for all those concerned in bringing up the young. - -"We have not seen a better book about the feelings and experiences of -childhood than this since we read the 'My Childhood' of Madame -Michelet."--SPECTATOR. - - - - A VILLAGE GENIUS - -A True Story of Oberammergau. With Two Full-page Illustrations by J. F. -WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -A tale of Oberammergau and of the life of Rochus Dedler, the composer of -the music that is still used at the Passion Play there. The true story -of a man who almost worshipped music, but was too tender and shy ever to -rise to the rank to which he was entitled. - -"A sympathetic and charming sketch."--BOOKSELLER. - - - - DANGEROUS JEWELS - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -The opening scenes of this story are laid in Brittany at the time of the -great French Revolution, but the scene changes, and the later chapters -give some vivid descriptions of rough life in a lonely hut on the -moorlands of Devonshire. - -"Plenty of stirring incident, and the scenes are novel and -unhackneyed."--MANCHESTER GUARDIAN. - - - - A PAIR OF COUSINS - -With Three Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -The pair of cousins are Flower Callaway, who has a weakness for -appearing interesting and attractive in the eyes of others, and Avis -Goldenlea, a healthy-minded girl of real sterling worth. "A Pair of -Cousins" contains much sensible teaching, particularly for girls of a -sentimental turn of mind. - -"The simplicity of Miss Bramston's new story is one of its greatest -charms."--SCHOOLMISTRESS. - - - - THE HEROINE OF A BASKET VAN - -With Three Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -The heroine is little Phenie, whom her father, Jonathan Redmoor, takes -with him to travel about the country in his basket van. - -"There are plenty of incidents in the tale to interest the reader, and, -as such a story should end, Phenie finds her right place after -all."--SCHOOLMASTER. - - - - UNCLE IVAN - -With Three Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -"Uncle Ivan" gives a striking and eventful picture of life in England -and Russia some forty years ago; together with some insight into the -methods of the Russian Government for dealing with political crime. - -"A charming book, and one that must give pleasure to boys and girls, not -to mention any of their elders who may take it up to pass an idle -hour."--SATURDAY REVIEW. - - - - SILVER STAR VALLEY - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -In this story Miss Bramston gives a striking and vivid picture of life -among a mining community in the Rocky Mountains. The concluding -chapters furnish a brief account of the great social and religious -improvements that eventually took place in Silver Star Valley. - -"Miss Bramston's story is spirited and interesting -throughout."--SATURDAY REVIEW. - - - - - BY C. R. COLERIDGE - - Author of "An English Squire," "The Girls of Flaxley," &c. - - - - FIFTY POUNDS - -A Sequel to "The Green Girls of Greythorpe," &c. With Four Full-page -Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 3s. - -A sequel to "The Green Girls of Greythorpe," showing what became of the -principal characters in that story after they had grown into young men -and young women. The interest of the present story, however, to the -reader is in no sense dependent on its predecessor, but rather of a kind -likely to suit elder boys and girls. - -"The book is very bright, the story never flags."--GIRLS' FRIENDLY -SOCIETY ASSOCIATES' JOURNAL. - - - - THE GREEN GIRLS OF GREYTHORPE - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A story of an old endowed institution that has come under the notice of -the Charity Commissioners, who decide that a reorganisation and -extension of the school is necessary, and that the education it affords -must be brought into harmony with modern requirements. - -"The story is very prettily told, and, although quiet in tone, contains -a full share of incident and interest."--STANDARD. - - - - MAUD FLORENCE NELLIE - -Or, Don't Care. With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. -Crown 8vo, bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A story, showing how a veritable scapegrace of a boy, Harry Whittaker, -and his careless sister, Florrie, are gradually brought to see the costs -that may be entailed by the spirit that says "Don't care" to every -gentle correction of a fault. - - - - REUBEN EVERETT - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -Miss Coleridge's "Reuben Everett" is the story of "a truant bird, that -thought his home a cage," and describes the early days of training -colleges and railways in England. - -"'Reuben Everett' is a story remarkably true to life."--RECORD. - - - - - BY MARY H. DEBENHAM - - Author of "Our New Prentice," &c. - - - - FOR KING AND HOME - -With Three Full-page Illustrations, by J. F. WEEDON. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -Of the rising in La Vendee during the great French Revolution, and of -the adventures that subsequently befell a well-to-do family there, -together with an English cousin Dorothy, who was staying at the chateau -at the time. - -"The events are well combined and cleverly conceived."--MANCHESTER -GUARDIAN. - - - - MISTRESS PHIL - -With Two Full-page Illustrations by C. O. MURRAY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -"Mistress Phil" is Phillis Juliana Cheviot, and the story describes her -stay at Waltham Cross in the year 1760, and the results that followed -from it, giving also some lively pictures of mail-coaches and -highwaymen. - -"A book good enough for anybody to read, of whatever age."--SCHOOL BOARD -CHRONICLE. - - - - A LITTLE CANDLE - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -Miss Debenham's story is concerned with Scotland in the stormy days of -Claverhouse. The "Little Candle" that throws its gentle warming beams -on all around her is Bride Galbraith, who, by her tenderness and grace, -comforts and softens the time of trial and affliction. - -"The character (of Bride Galbraith) is a very beautiful one, and Miss -Debenham has drawn it with exquisite touch."--PUBLISHERS' CIRCULAR. - - - - FAIRMEADOWS FARM - -With Two Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -The scene is laid in Hampshire about the time of Monmouth's rebellion. -The story gives some vivid pictures of the opening at Winchester of -Judge Jeffreys' harsh campaign against the rebels, and of the clouds -that hung over the neighbourhood for a time in consequence. - -"A simple yet capitally related story, and the pathetic features are -very effectively realised."--LIVERPOOL COURIER. - -ST. HELEN'S WELL - -With Two Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -"St Helen's Well" is a story of events that followed the rising in 1745 -in favour of the Young Pretender. - -"The perils and hardships of the adventure are graphically -described."--GUARDIAN. - - - - - BY THE AUTHOR OF "STARWOOD HALL" - - - - KING'S FERRY - -In the Days of the Press-gang. With Three Full-page Illustrations by W. -S. STAGEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -Concerning a certain ship's doctor who came to Weymouth in press-gang -days, and, staying at King's Ferry, tempted Simon Lydgate, the ferryman, -to do wrong; of the punishment that fell on Lydgate, and of the joy and -peace that followed the home-coming of his boy, Wat. - -"Like its predecessors, this volume is full of picturesque pictures of -old life and manners."--TIMES. - - - - JOAN'S VICTORY - -With Two Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 1s. 6d. - -Descriptive of a young woman of quick, passionate temper and stubborn -purpose, and of the means by which a young child unconsciously brought -her back to her better self and helped to soften her heart. - -"Admirably detailed. Joan is really a very powerful psychological -study."--SPECTATOR. - - - - PECKOVER'S MILL - -A Story of the Great Frost of 1739. With Five Full-page Illustrations -by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -A story of a Jacobite conspiracy that was on foot in the time of the -great frost of 1739, showing how Silas Peckover came home from abroad -and took possession of the home of his forefathers, and how the sweet -womanliness and honesty of Mistress Ruth influenced him for good. - -"Silas Peckover is a character quite worthy of Ainsworth."--ACADEMY. - - - - CHRIS DERRICK - -A Stormy Passage in a Boy's Life. With Two Full-page Illustrations by -W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -This story supplies some lively sketches of what a mutiny often led to -at the beginning of the present century, and of the narrow shifts that -smugglers ran in escaping from the revenue officers. - -"A spirited story of adventure."--SPECTATOR. - - - - STARWOOD HALL - -A Boy's Adventure. With Two Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. -Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -A stirring story of how an honest boy fell into the clutches of a band -of highwaymen, or "gentlemen of fortune," in the middle of the last -century. - -"The pictures of rural manners ... strike us as being extremely -life-like."--TIMES. - - - - - BY ESM STUART - - Author of "The Little Brown Girl," "The Belfry of St. Jude's," &c. - - - - THE SILVER MINE - -An Underground Story. With Four Full-page Illustrations by W. S. -STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -An account of life on the rocky Devonshire coast, an unsuccessful -attempt to reopen a disused silver mine, and a long-standing family feud -between the Redwoods and the Pennants, with the incidents that served to -bring it to an end. - -"A very bright, attractive story. The children are natural, and the -style is fresh and spirited."--JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. - - - - THE VICAR'S TRIO - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -The story of how young Lord Faulconbridge, a peevish and irritable boy, -is brought to see that the rank and wealth with which he has been -endowed bring with them equally great responsibilities. - - - - CAST ASHORE - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -It was little Mona, who was cast ashore on the North Lancashire coast, -after the total wreck of the ship in which she was travelling under the -care of her father's servant, Hanson. How the unprincipled Jephtha -Toppin afterwards lures her away, with a view to earning a reward, and -how she is eventually rescued--both are told with considerable power and -vividness. - -"A most exciting and yet perfectly wholesome tale of -adventure."--BANNER. - - - - FOR HALF-A-CROWN - -With Four Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. - -Half-a-crown is the price that Mrs. Chemmo, a retired housekeeper living -in the cathedral city of Hedderstone on an annuity from her former -mistress, pays for a little waif, Natalia, to an Italian colony in a -squalid Portsmouth alley. - -"There is a freshness and brightness about the book which too many of -the books for girls in which religious sentiments are at all introduced -lack very wofully."--PALL MALL GAZETTE. - - - - CARRIED OFF - -A Story of Pirate Times. With Four Full-page Illustrations by J. F. -WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -It was fearless Harry Perm, the son of an Essex yeoman farmer, who was -"carried off" by Captain Henry Morgan, the famous buccaneer, and his -men, to the West Indies, where the Spanish settlements are attacked, and -adventures in plenty follow. - -"Miss Stuart has gone with the times, and has given us a vigorous and -well-told story of the days of the buccaneers."--STANDARD. - - - - - BY M. E. PALGRAVE - - Author of - "Under the Blue Flag," "Miles Lambert's Three Chances," &c. - - - - IN CHARGE - -A Story of Rough Times. With Five Full-page Illustrations by W. S. -STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A stirring story of the days when smugglers were in plenty and -free-trading (as it was called) was in full swing. - -"Full of incident and interest, very pleasantly told, and breathes an -excellent spirit throughout."--WESTERN MORNING NEWS. - - - - A PROMISE KEPT - -With Four Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -A story with a lofty purpose, showing the amount of self-denial that is -necessary in those who leave their home and kindred to engage in -missionary work in far-off lands. - -"Its tone is elevated and serious. Its purpose is to show the need of -aiming at a high standard of life, and the failure of those who only -dream noble things."--NATIONAL CHURCH. - - - - - LOST ON THE MOOR - -By "TAFFY." With Frontispiece. Cloth boards, gilt, price 1s. - -The story of Little Jack, how he was lost on the moor in a thick fog -through his brother's disobedience, and how he was found and finally -restored to his home. - -"An evening will be very pleasantly spent and attended with much good in -reading this interesting story."--SCHOOLMASTER. - - - - - NATIONAL SOCIETY'S RECENT PUBLICATIONS - - - - THE LIFE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR - JESUS CHRIST - - - - _Illustrated from the Italian Painters of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, - and Sixteenth Centuries._ - - -A Preface has been furnished to this volume, on the Growth of Religious -Art in Italy, by Mr. F. T. PALGRAVE, who has also added Critical and -Explanatory Notes on the Pictures and their Painters. - - -Richly bound in cloth boards, bevelled, gilt edges, price 15s. - - -The Church Quarterly Review says: "This book is a perfect gem.... It -is, indeed, a relief to turn to such matchless designs as these. It -would be impossible to speak too highly of the knowledge of the history -of art, the elevation of thought, and the elegance of style which Mr. -Palgrave displays." - -The Spectator says:--"The drawings are executed with much skill; and the -chromo-lithographic process is here employed with delicacy and success. -Mr. Palgrave's notes are pertinent and instructive. His Introduction is -able and eloquent." - -The Academy says:--"This is a very beautiful book, and the -chromolithographs with which it is adorned, or rather, which are -illustrated by the text, reflect great credit on the care and skill of -all concerned in their production." - -The Athenaeum says--"Byway of preface, a highly intelligent and critical -essay on the growth, aims, and developments of religious art in Italy by -Mr. F. T. Palgrave. Each well-weighed and thoughtful sentence is worth -reading. The general purport of the book is well represented by the -title. Mr. Palgrave vouches for the beauty of the drawings made by Mr. -Goodall, from which the chromolithographs were taken.... A very -ambitious effort has been extremely successful." - -The Portfolio says:--"The eloquent and informing preface and the -critical notes on the pictures by Mr. F. T. Palgrave, are addressed to -an adult and cultured audience.... The literary part of the volume -deserves more careful consideration than is usually accorded to -letterpress penned to accompany even high-class illustrations." - -The Art Journal says:--"A work which should be the most popular, as it -must be the handsomest, of Christmas books bearing a religious -character.... Twenty-four wonderful little chromo-lithographs from -drawings made on the spot.... The volume is in every way a beautiful -one." - - -THE STORY OF THE CHILDHOOD OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d. - -THE STORY OF THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d. - -THE STORY OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d. - -THE STORY OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d. - - - Each of the above four Volumes is illustrated - by Six Pictures from the Italian Painters - of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Centuries. - - - NATIONAL SOCIETY'S DEPOSITORY, SANCTUARY, WESTMINSTER. - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CARRIED OFF *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23892 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. 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-
-.. meta::
- :PG.Id: 23892
- :PG.Title: Carried Off
- :PG.Released: 2012-08-06
- :PG.Rights: Public Domain
- :PG.Producer: Al Haines
- :DC.Creator: Esmè Stuart
- :DC.Title: Carried Off
- A Story of Pirate Times
- :DC.Language: en
- :DC.Created: 1888
- :coverpage: images/img-cover.jpg
-
-===========
-CARRIED OFF
-===========
-
-.. clearpage::
-
-.. pgheader::
-
-.. container:: coverpage
-
- .. vspace:: 3
-
- .. figure:: images/img-cover.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: Cover
-
- Cover
-
-.. container:: frontispiece
-
- .. vspace:: 3
-
- .. _`"*HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP.*" p. 12`:
-
- .. figure:: images/img-front.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: "*HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP.*" p. 12
-
- "*HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP.*" p. 12
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. container:: titlepage center white-space-pre-line
-
- .. class:: x-large
-
- CARRIED OFF
-
- .. class:: large
-
- *A STORY OF PIRATE TIMES*
-
- .. vspace:: 2
-
- .. class:: medium
-
- BY
- ESMÉ STUART
-
- .. vspace:: 2
-
- .. class:: small
-
- AUTHOR OF 'FOR HALF-A-CROWN' 'THE LAST HOPE'
- 'THE WHITE CHAPEL' ETC.
-
- .. vspace:: 3
-
- .. class:: medium
-
- *WITH FOUR FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS*
-
- .. vspace:: 4
-
- .. class:: medium
-
- LONDON
- NATIONAL SOCIETY'S DEPOSITORY
- BROAD SANCTUARY, WESTMINSTER
- NEW YORK: THOMAS WHITTAKER, 2 & 3 BIBLE HOUSE
- 1888
-
- .. vspace:: 4
-
-
-.. container:: dedication
-
- .. class:: center medium white-space-pre-line
-
- *TO*
- *CLARISSA AND JOHN*
-
- .. vspace:: 2
-
- .. class:: medium left
-
- *I dedicate this story, knowing they are already fond of
- travelling. They may be glad to hear that the chief
- events in it are true, and are taken out of an old book
- written more than two hundred years ago. Yet they may
- now safely visit the West Indies without fear of being
- made prisoners by the much dreaded Buccaneers.*
-
- .. vspace:: 1
-
- *E.S.*
-
- .. vspace:: 3
-
- .. class:: center small
-
- [*All rights reserved*]
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CONTENTS
-
-
-.. class:: left medium
-
- CHAPTER
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-.. class:: left white-space-pre-line
-
- I. `THE SACRIFICE`_
- II. `CAPTURED`_
- III. `A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND`_
- IV. `THE PIRATES ARE COMING`_
- V. `THE SCOUTS`_
- VI. `HATCHING A PLOT`_
- VII. `TREACHERY`_
- VIII. `A BRAVE DEFENCE`_
- IX. `IMPRISONED`_
- X. `A FELLOW-COUNTRYMAN`_
- XI. `THE SECRET PASSAGE`_
- XII. `A NEW EXPEDITION`_
- XIII. `THE ESCAPE`_
- XIV. `DEFENCE TILL DEATH`_
- XV. `IN THE WOODS`_
- XVI. `WAITING FOR LUCK`_
- XVII. `DISCOVERED`_
- XVIII. `HUNTING A FUGITIVE`_
- XIX. `IN A LONELY SPOT`_
- XX. `SAVED`_
- XXI. `A BAG OF GOLD`_
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
-
-.. class:: left medium
-
- .. vspace:: 2
-
- `'HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP'`_
-
- .. vspace:: 1
-
- `CARLO REFUSED ADMISSION`_ (missing from book)
-
- .. vspace:: 1
-
- `CARLO BEFORE CAPTAIN MORGAN`_
-
- .. vspace:: 1
-
- `'SHALL WE LAND?'`_ (missing from book)
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`THE SACRIFICE`:
-
-.. class:: center x-large
-
- CARRIED OFF.
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER I.
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE SACRIFICE.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-It was a beautiful warm spring evening,
-and as the sun sank slowly in the west
-it illuminated with quivering golden
-light the calm waters that surrounded
-green, marshy Canvey Island, which lies
-opposite South Benfleet, in the estuary of the
-Thames.
-
-Harry Fenn had just come out of church,
-and, as was often his wont, he ran up a slight hill,
-and, shading his eyes, looked intently out towards
-Canvey and then yet more to his left, where Father
-Thames clasps hands with the ocean.
-
-The eminence on which young fair-haired
-Harry stood was the site of a strong castle, built
-long ago by Hæsten, the Danish rover, in which
-he stowed away Saxon spoil and Saxon prisoners,
-till King Alfred came down upon him, pulled down
-the rover's fortress, seized his wife and his two sons,
-and relieved the neighbourhood of this Danish
-scourge. How often, indeed, had the peaceful
-inhabitants trembled at the sight of the sea robber's
-narrow war-vessels creeping up the creek in search
-of plunder!
-
-Harry, however, was not thinking of those
-ancient days; his whole soul and mind was in the
-present, in vague longings for action; full, too, of
-young inquisitiveness as to the future, especially
-his own future, so that he forgot why he had come
-to this spot, and did not even hear the approach of
-the Rev. Mr. Aylett, who, having been listening to
-a tale of distress from one of his parishioners at the
-end of the evening service, had now come to enjoy
-the view from Hæsten's hill. As he walked slowly
-towards the immovable form of the boy, he could
-not help being struck by the lad's graceful outline;
-the lithe, yet strongly built figure, the well-balanced
-head, now thrown back as the eyes sought the
-distant horizon; whilst the curly fair locks appeared
-to have been dashed impatiently aside, and now
-were just slightly lifted by the evening breeze;
-for Harry Fenn held his cap in his hand as he
-folded his arms across his chest. He might have
-stood for the model of a young Apollo had any
-artist been by, but art and artists were unknown
-things in South Benfleet at that time.
-
-Mr. Aylett shook his head as he walked towards
-the lad, even though a smile of pleasure parted
-his lips as he noted the comeliness of his young
-parishioner, whom he now addressed.
-
-'Well, Harry, my boy, what may be the thoughts
-which are keeping you so unusually still?' Harry
-started and blushed like a girl, and yet his action
-was simple enough.
-
-'Indeed, sir, I did not hear you. I--I came
-here to have a look at our cows down on the marsh.
-Father----'
-
-Mr. Aylett laughed good-humouredly.
-
-'Am I to believe that that earnest look is all
-on account of the cattle, Harry?' Harry felt at
-this moment as if he had told a lie, and had been
-found out by Mr. Aylett, who was so good and
-clever that he could almost, nay, sometimes did,
-tell one's thoughts.
-
-'No, sir;' then, with a winning smile, the lad
-added, 'in truth I had forgotten all about the
-cattle. I was dreaming of----'
-
-'Of the future, Harry. Listen, did not those
-same thoughts run thus? That it is dull work
-staying at home on the farm; that some of thy
-relations in past days had famous times in our
-civil wars, and went to battle and fought for the
-King, and that some even had been settlers in the
-old days of Queen Bess, and that, when all is said
-and done, it wants a great deal of self-denial to stay
-as thou art now doing, cheering the declining years
-of thy good father and mother. Some such thought
-I fancied I could read in your face, boy, when
-singing in the choir just now. Was it so? I would
-have you use candour with me.'
-
-Harry turned his cap round and round slowly
-in his hands. Mr. Aylett was certainly a diviner
-of thoughts; but Harry was far too honest, and of
-too good principle, to deny the truth. It was his
-honesty, as well as his pluck and courage, that
-made him so dear to the clergyman, who had
-taught the boy a great deal more learning than
-usually fell to the lot of a yeoman's son in those
-days, even though Mr. Fenn farmed his own land,
-was well-to-do, and could, had he so willed, have
-sent his son to Oxford; but he himself had been
-reared on Pitsea Farm, had married there, and
-there he had watched his little ones carried to the
-grave, all but Harry. Yes, Harry was his all, his
-mother's darling, his father's pride; the parson was
-welcome to teach him his duty to his Church, his
-King and his country, and what more he liked, but
-no one must part the yeoman from his only child.
-
-And Harry knew this, and yet often and often
-his soul was moved with that terribly strong desire
-for change and for a larger horizon, which, so long
-as the world lasts, will take possession of
-high-spirited boys. However, the lad was as good as
-he was brave; he knew that he must crush down
-his desire, or at least that he must not show it to
-his parents; but he did not try to resist the pleasure
-of indulging in thoughts of a larger life, thoughts
-which Mr. Aylett guessed very easily, but which
-would have made his father's hair stand on end.
-This evening Mr. Aylett's face looked so kind that
-Harry's boyish reserve gave way, and with rising
-colour he exclaimed:
-
-'Oh, sir, I can't deny it; it is all true, that, and
-much more; just now I had such dreadful thoughts.
-I felt that I must go out yonder, away and away,
-and learn what the world is like; I felt that even
-father's sorrow and mother's tears would not grieve
-me much, and that I must break loose from here or
-die. I know it was wicked, and I will conquer the
-feeling, but it seems as if the devil himself tempts
-me to forget my duty; and worse,' added poor
-Harry, who having begun his confession thought
-he would make a clean breast of it, 'I feel as if I
-must go straight to my father and tell him I will
-not spend my life in minding cattle and seeing after
-the labourers, and that after telling him, I would
-work my way out into the big world without asking
-him for a penny. Sir, would that be possible?'
-
-Harry looked up with trembling eagerness, as
-if on this one frail chance of Mr. Aylett's agreement
-depended his life's happiness; but the clergyman
-did not give him a moment's hope.
-
-'No, Harry, that is not possible, my lad. You
-are an only child. On you depends the happiness
-of your parents. This sacrifice is asked of you by
-God, and is it too hard a matter to give up your
-own will? Look you, my dear Harry, I am not
-over-blaming you, nor am I thinking that the
-crushing of this desire is not a difficult matter, but
-we who lived through the late troublous times see
-farther than young heads, who are easily persuaded
-to cozen their conscience according to their wishes.
-And if you travelled, Harry, temptations and trials
-would follow too, and be but troublesome
-companions; and further, there would be always a
-worm gnawing at your heart when you thought
-of the childless old folks at home. Believe me,
-Harry, even out in "the golden yonder," as some one
-calls it, you would not find what you expect; there
-would be no joy for you who had deprived those
-dependent on you of it. Take my advice, boy,
-wait for God's own good time, and do not fall
-into strong distemper of mind.'
-
-Mr. Aylett paused and put a kind hand on the
-boy's shoulder. Harry did not answer at once, but
-slowly his eyes turned away from the waters and
-the golden sun, slowly they were bent upon the
-marshes where the cattle were grazing, and then
-nearer yet to where Pitsea Manor Farm raised its
-head above a plantation of elms and oaks. Then
-a great struggle went on in the boy's mind; he
-remembered he was but sixteen years old, and
-that many a year must most likely elapse before
-he became the owner of Pitsea Farm and could
-do as he pleased, and that those years must be
-filled with dull routine labour, where little room
-was left for any adventure beyond fishing in the
-creek, or going over to Canvey Island to watch
-when the high waves broke over the new embankments
-made by Joas Croppenburg, the Dutchman,
-whose son still owned a third of the rich marshland
-of the island as a recompense for his father's
-sea walls. But young Joas used to tell tales of
-great Dutch sea fights and exploits, which, if
-Harry made the sacrifice Mr. Aylett was asking
-him to make, would but probe the wound of his
-desire, and so Croppenburg's stories must also be
-given up.
-
-Harry's courage, however, was not merely
-nominal, it was of the right sort. The sacrifice he
-was asked to make was none the less great because
-it was one not seen of men. He was to give up
-his will, the hardest thing a man or a boy can do;
-but it needed only Mr. Aylett's firm answer to
-show Harry that his duty was very plain, and that
-God required this of him.
-
-It was like taking a plunge into cold water,
-where it is the first resolution that is the worst
-part of the action; suddenly, with a quick lifting
-of his head, and a new hopeful light in his blue
-eyes very different from the unsatisfied longing
-gaze of ten minutes ago, Harry spoke, and as he
-did so his clenched hands and his whole demeanour
-told plainly that the boy meant what he said.
-
-'I will give it up, sir; as it is, the wishing brings
-me no happiness, so I will even put the wishing
-to flight.'
-
-Mr. Aylett grasped the lad's hand warmly.
-
-'God bless you, Harry, you are a brave fellow.
-I am proud of you. Come to me to-morrow, and I
-will show you a new book a friend has sent me;
-or, better, walk back with me to the Vicarage.'
-
-'I would willingly, sir,' said Harry quietly,
-'but father bade me go to the meadow and see if
-White Star should be driven in under shelter
-to-night. Our man Fiske has met with an accident,
-so I promised to see after White Star before
-sundown. She was a little sick this morning.'
-
-'To-morrow will do well enough,' said
-Mr. Aylett, glad to see that Harry was beginning
-already to turn his mind steadily to home matters,
-'and if you have time we will go to St. Catherine's
-Church on Canvey. There is a young clergyman
-come there to see if he will accept the cure, and I
-know you will row me over.' Harry promised
-gladly, and then Mr. Aylett with another shake of
-the hand turned his face homeward. When he was
-gone Harry flung himself on the ground to think
-over the promise he had just given. He would--yes,
-he would keep his word.
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`CAPTURED`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER II.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- CAPTURED.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-How long he lay there, Harry never could
-recollect afterwards, but feeling a
-chilliness creeping over him he suddenly
-remembered his duty. He must make
-haste, for the sun was setting, and if White Star
-did not seem to be better she must be led home
-from the damp marsh meadows that bordered the
-water. Though Harry was feeling intensely sad,
-he had a secret feeling of satisfaction at having
-conquered in a very hard struggle, and this perhaps
-made him look more at the things he was passing
-than, as he was wont to do, at the distant sea. This
-evening everything was calm and quiet, both on
-the darkening waters and on the green meadows.
-Harry noted a gate that needed repairing, and
-made up his mind to tell his father that it must be
-seen to, or the cattle would be straying; then he
-glanced at the little cart-horse foal that promised
-to be a rival of its mother. The Pitsea Farm
-cart-horses were deservedly famous, and Harry's father,
-George Fenn, was as good a breeder of horses as
-he was a staunch Churchman and opposed to the
-Puritan element only now quieting down.
-
-At last Harry reached the meadow where White
-Star was grazing and where some thirty sheep were
-sharing the pasture. He went up to examine the
-gentle creature, and she knew well enough the
-young master's voice and touch, so that she hardly
-stopped chewing the cud to give him a kindly stare.
-
-'White Star seems not so bad,' thought Harry.
-'I'll tell father to give her another day in the
-meadow, she is not too ill to enjoy this sweet grass.'
-
-Harry had been so much engaged in attending
-to White Star that he did not hear the soft splash of
-some oars at the bottom of the meadow he was in,
-nor did he see that four strong, rough-looking men in
-seafaring attire had quietly moored their long-boat
-to an old willow stump, and that two of them were
-hastily scanning the sheep and cattle that were
-only a few yards away.
-
-'Zounds!' muttered the first who stepped up
-the bank, 'what have we here? a lad in this very
-field. I'faith, I saw no one from the creek.'
-
-'A mere sapling,' laughed the other, 'take no
-heed of him, and he will soon take to his heels at the
-sight of us. Now, quick's the word, the captain is
-impatient to be off with the tide.'
-
-In another instant the men had begun their
-work. They had come for the purpose of carrying
-off some sheep and cattle, and having waited till
-this late hour they had not expected to find a
-witness to their robbery. Quietly and stealthily as
-they had landed, however, their intentions could
-not be carried out without some disturbance, and
-Harry was first made aware of their presence by the
-sudden helter-skelter of the sheep and the immediate
-curiosity expressed by poor White Star, whose
-evening meal was to be so violently disturbed.
-
-In a moment more Harry had seized the
-situation, which indeed it was not difficult to do, as
-he now beheld one of his father's sheep suddenly
-captured by the clever expedient of an
-extemporised lasso, and when the poor animal had been
-dragged towards its captor the robber made short
-work of tying his victim's legs together, and leaving it
-to bleat beside him whilst he proceeded to capture
-another in the same manner, before dragging them
-to the long-boat.
-
-All the fierce courage of the hardy yeoman's son
-rose to its height as he beheld this daring robbery
-carried on under his very eyes. Nay, when the
-strongest and foremost man began unconcernedly
-to make his way towards White Star herself, the
-boy's indignation knew no bounds.
-
-'How now?' he cried indignantly. 'What do
-you mean, you rascals, by coming here? this is
-our field and our cattle; away at once, and unloose
-the sheep, or, by'r laykin! it will be worse for you.
-I will call for help, and you will soon be treated in
-such a manner as you deserve.'
-
-This fierce speech had not, however, the desired
-effect. The man laughed ironically as if Harry
-were a mere baby, and approaching White Star he
-swiftly threw the lasso over the animal's sleek head.
-
-'Out of the way, young blusterer, or it will be
-the worse for thee. Our master, the captain,
-requires these cattle to victual our ship before sailing;
-come, off with thee! and don't halloo all the breath
-out of thy body.'
-
-But Harry's blood was up. Enraged at the
-man's daring and effrontery, he seized a stout
-stick from the hedge-row and sprang upon the
-intruder with the fury of a young lion. He never
-considered the inequality of the struggle or the
-folly of his engaging single-handed with a ruffian
-of this description; he only thought of saving his
-father's property and avenging the insult. Nor
-were his well-directed blows mere make-believe,
-and as the man before him was suddenly aware of
-a sharp stinging pain across his forehead, he let go
-the lasso and sprang on to the boy with a fierce
-oath.
-
-.. _`'HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP'`:
-
-.. figure:: images/img-012.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: "*HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP*"
-
- "*HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP*"
-
-
-'What, you young viper, you dare to strike
-me? Well, take that. Here, Jim, this way, bring
-the rope here; I'll teach this churl to bethump me.'
-
-As he spoke he wrenched away poor Harry's
-stick, and with a well-directed blow he laid the boy
-on the ground. Harry felt a terrible pain in his
-head, his brain seemed to reel; bright, blood-red
-flashes blotted out the familiar fields, and then
-with a groan of pain he stretched out his right
-arm to grasp at some support, after which he
-remembered no more.
-
-The man appealed to as Jim had now run up,
-and laughed as he saw Harry fall insensible on
-the dewy grass.
-
-'Bravo! the lad fell in fair fight, Joseph; but
-i'fecks! who would have thought of seeing you
-engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with such a
-stripling? Hast done for him, comrade?' he
-added with curiosity, in which was mingled
-neither pity nor fear. And yet the sight of Harry
-Fenn might have softened even a hard heart, one
-would have thought, as he lay there in the twilight
-on the dewy grass, whilst a slow trickling line of
-red blood fell from his forehead over his fair
-curling hair.
-
-'Here, make haste,' said the first man, whom
-his friend addressed as Coxon, 'the captain's
-orders were that we must lose no time; there'll
-be several more trips this evening, and he means
-to run down the Channel before morning.'
-
-'Then we'd best not leave the lad here. What
-say you, Coxon, shall I despatch him for fear of
-his waking up and telling tales before we return?'
-
-Coxon looked down on the brave lad, and
-decided, he knew not why, to act more mercifully.
-
-'Let him be, or wait--tie his legs and throw
-him in the long-boat; on our ship he'll tell no tales,
-and when we cast anchor we can drop him somewhere,
-or give him a seaman's burial if he's dead,
-for, to tell the truth, it was a good whack that I
-dealt him. Now, Jim, quick, for fear some of those
-land dolts come down upon us, and deafen us with
-their complaints.'
-
-After this quick certainly was the word. Harry
-was tied, much after the fashion of his own sheep,
-and cast with little ceremony into the long-boat;
-further booty was secured, till no more could be
-carried during this trip, and then, as silently as it
-had come, the boat was rowed swiftly down the
-creek till they reached their destination, namely,
-the good ship 'Scorpion,' a privateer bound for the
-West Indies, after having lately made a very
-successful bargain with the cargo it had safely
-brought home.
-
-How long Harry remained unconscious he
-never knew: when he came to himself it was some
-time before he could collect any sequence in his
-thoughts. He felt, however, that he was in a
-cramped and confined place, and so put out his
-hands to make more room, as it were, for his
-limbs; but he could give no explanation to himself
-of his whereabouts, though he half realised that
-the night air was blowing in his face, and that
-something like sea spray now and then seemed to
-be dashed on his head. His hands were free, but
-what of his legs? He experienced a sharp cutting
-pain above his ankles, and with some difficulty he
-reached down to the seat of pain with one of his
-hands. Yes, there was a rope tied round his legs;
-who had done this, and where was he? He
-remembered standing on Hæsten's mound looking
-longingly at the sea, and he also recalled
-Mr. Aylett's words and his own fierce struggle against
-his strong inclinations, and then--what had
-followed?
-
-Here for a long time his mind remained a
-blank, till a decided lurch forced the conviction
-upon him that he was certainly in a ship, not on
-the green marsh meadow at home.
-
-Home! He must make haste and get home;
-his father would wonder what kept him so long, it
-was quite dark; how anxious his fond mother
-would be. He must at once get rid of that horrid
-thing that prevented his rising, and he must run
-as fast as he could back to Pitsea Farm. But
-what of White Star? White Star, the meadow,
-the--the----
-
-All at once the scene of his conflict flashed into
-his mind, and the awful truth burst upon him.
-He was a prisoner in some enemy's ship--or could
-it be in one of those dreadful privateers, whose
-ravages were often spoken of, and whom Mr. Aylett
-had said ought to be put down by Government
-with a firm hand? Ay, and those ruffians who
-had treated him with such brutality, they must
-be no other than some of those dreaded
-buccaneers, whose atrocities in the West Indies made
-the blood of peaceable people run cold, and
-wonder why God's judgments did not descend on
-all who abetted such crimes. Harry, as we know,
-was very brave, and yet he shuddered as the truth
-forced itself on his mind; it was not so much from
-a feeling of fear, but because, to the boy's weak,
-fevered brain, the terrible calamity that had
-overtaken him seemed to be, as it were, a punishment
-for his old and secret longings, and his discontent
-at the dull home life.
-
-Then followed a period of great mental pain
-for the boy, and after having vainly tried to free
-himself, he lay back utterly spent with the exertion,
-and with the feeling that perhaps he was reserved
-for worse tortures. Harry had heard many and
-many a terrible story of the doings of these
-buccaneers, who plundered, without distinction, the
-ships of all nations, and amassed treasures in the
-West Indies and the Spanish Main, and whose
-inhuman conduct to their prisoners was not much
-better than that experienced by the unfortunate
-Christian prisoners from the pirates of Algiers.
-Harry's courage was nearly giving way at these
-thoughts, and as no one was by to see him a few
-bitter tears rolled down his cheeks; but as he put
-up his hand to brush them away he suddenly felt
-ashamed of his weakness.
-
-'God helping me,' thought he, 'whatever these
-rascals call themselves they shall not see me in
-tears, be the pretence never so great; it were a
-pretty story to take back to my father and good
-Mr. Aylett, that I was found weeping like a girl;
-but all the same I wish they would give me something
-to eat. In truth I could devour very willingly
-a sirloin of beef if it were offered me.'
-
-Hunger is but a melancholy companion, and as
-the time still passed on and no one came near him,
-though Harry could hear the tramp of feet above
-him distinctly enough, the boy began to fear he
-should be left to die of slow starvation; and though
-this idea was very fearful to a growing lad, yet he
-determined that even this suffering should not make
-him cry out, and, clenching his teeth together, he
-lay down again and tried to say a few mental
-prayers. Evidently he must have dozed off, for
-the next thing he remembered was the sound of a
-rough voice telling him to get up; at the same
-time the rope that tied his feet was hastily cut
-and he felt himself led along a dark passage and
-pushed up a hatchway, feeling too dazed and weak
-to notice anything till he was thrust through the
-door of a small cabin.
-
-By this time Harry's spirit had returned; he
-forgot his pain and his hunger, and, straightening
-himself, tried to wrench his arm away from the
-iron grasp of the sailor that led him.
-
-'What right have you fellows to keep me
-prisoner here?' cried Harry. 'But as we are upon
-the high seas it's not likely I can escape, so you
-need not pinion me down in this fashion.'
-
-At this moment a tall, powerful, and very
-handsome man entered the cabin, and, hearing
-Harry's words, burst into a loud and cheerful laugh.
-
-'What, Mings! is this the boy you spoke of?
-By my faith, you have caged a little eaglet! But we
-can soon cut his claws and stop his pretty prating.
-How now, boy: answer truly, and tell me thy name;
-for we are no lovers of ill-manners and insolence.'
-
-Harry Fenn had been struck dumb by the
-appearance of the new comer, so that he had
-ceased struggling with Mings, and now gazed at
-the courtly-looking man, whose whole bearing
-spoke of a certain rough refinement and assured
-courage, such as Harry had believed attainable only
-by a gentleman of birth and breeding. Evidently
-the man before him was the captain of the crew,
-but he was no mere rough sailor such as Harry
-had often seen at home; on the contrary, his dress
-was both rich and elegant; he wore his hair in
-flowing locks just below his neck; a cravat of
-muslin edged with rich lace was round his throat,
-and the ends of the bow hung over his thick
-doublet, which was embroidered in a running
-pattern. His scarf, thrown over one shoulder and
-tied at his waist, was heavy with gold embroidery
-and fringe, and the sword that dangled at his side
-was evidently of Spanish make, and richly chased.
-As to his countenance, the more Harry gazed the
-less he could believe this man had anything to do
-with the buccaneers of the West Indies he had
-heard so much about, for the Captain's expression
-was open, and even pleasant. His eyes were of a
-pale blue, shaded by soft and reddish eyebrows;
-his nose straight and well formed; and though his
-mouth was somewhat full and coarse, yet there
-was nothing bad-tempered about it; and the
-curling moustache and small tuft of hair on his
-chin reminded one of a jolly cavalier more than of a
-dreaded sea-captain. Yes, Harry fancied he might
-be mistaken, and that this gentleman was in truth
-a loyal captain of His Majesty's Navy, and that his
-own capture was all some terrible mistake. This
-idea gave him courage, and, shaking himself free
-from his jailor, he advanced boldly towards the
-handsome-looking man, who surely must be the
-soul of honour, and no enemy to the public.
-
-'Oh, sir, I fancied I had fallen into the hands
-of evil men; but surely I am mistaken, and you will
-see justice done me. I am a yeoman's son. My
-name is Harry Fenn, and my father owns a farm
-at South Benfleet. I had but gone down to see after
-one of our cows who had been sick, when suddenly
-your men waylaid me when I defended our cattle,
-and used me in a brutish manner. Had they
-wanted to buy cattle, my father could have directed
-them to those willing to sell. I did but my duty
-in defending my father's property, and I doubt not
-that they gave you quite a wrong tale of my
-behaviour; but indeed, sir, it was not true, and though
-I have been treated very roughly I beg you to see
-justice done to me, and to have me landed on our
-English coast; for my parents will be sadly put
-about on account of my disappearance, and very
-solicitous about my safety.'
-
-Harry paused, expecting the handsome captain
-to express his regret at what had happened.
-Instead of this, his words were received with a loud
-laugh by Mings; and apparently they also much
-tickled the fancy of the Captain, for he joined in
-the merriment, though he looked with kindly eyes
-on the handsome youth, who, in spite of his being
-a good deal bespattered with mud and blood stains,
-was yet a very pleasant picture of a bold, fearless
-English boy.
-
-'Thou art over-bold, young fellow,' said Mings
-when he had laughed heartily. 'Doubtless our
-captain will teach thee how to mind thy speech.
-Shall I stow the lad away, sir, in the hold? I take
-it he will come forth in a humbler frame of mind,
-and with less zeal for defending cattle.'
-
-'Nay, Mings, leave him to me; such a home
-bird is an uncommon sight, and having fallen on
-deck for want of a stronger wing, he must needs
-stay aboard. Go and attend to the guns, and tell
-the watch to keep a sharp look-out for any strange
-sail, and I'll see to the boy.'
-
-Mings appeared a little sulky at this order, and
-took the opportunity of roughly grasping Harry's
-shoulder as he went by, with the remark:
-
-'Keep a civil tongue in thy head, young
-scarecrow, or Captain Henry Morgan will soon teach
-thee to wag it less glibly. It would want but a
-small gun to blow thee back to the English shore
-if thou art so anxious to get back--eh, Captain?'
-
-The Captain frowned instead of answering,
-and Mings made off as quickly as possible; but
-by this time Harry had recovered from his surprise.
-
-'Then it's true,' he said quickly; 'you are in truth
-the infamous Henry Morgan the buccaneer, whose
-name is a terror to all honest folk. I only hope
-one of His Majesty's men-of-war will give chase,
-and I will do all in my power to give information.
-It is a dastardly act that you have done, for you
-have stolen our property and allowed your men
-shamefully to ill-use me.'
-
-Harry never stayed to think how unwise his
-words were: he was so angry at having made a
-mistake and having fancied this courtly man was
-an honest gentleman, that he cared nothing at the
-moment about the consequences of his violent
-language; indeed, he was all the more furious when
-he noticed that Captain Morgan seemed only
-amused by his burst of indignation.
-
-'Thou art a brave lad, and I like to see thy spirit.
-Tell me thy name. I wager it is an honest one.'
-
-'Ay, truly. Harry Fenn is my name--an
-honest English yeoman's son, and one that will
-receive no favours from a buccaneer,' answered Harry,
-crossing his arms.
-
-'Then thou art my namesake, lad, i' fecks! See,
-I'll forgive thy hasty words, and take thee for my
-godson. As for thy parents, well, they must take
-the chances of war as others do, for there can be
-no putting back to land now. We had to be very
-crafty to avoid a large three-decker of sixty-four
-guns that, I fancy, had scent of my poor frigate; but
-we ran up the French flag, and so got off; and now
-we are making a very fair journey towards Jamaica.
-Art hungry, lad? There's no use lying about thy
-stomach, for it's a hard taskmaster, and, now I come
-to think of it, no one has heeded thee or thy wants
-since the cutter put thee aboard.'
-
-Hunger was indeed a very hard taskmaster
-for at this moment Harry Fenn felt a dizziness
-which he could hardly control, and he half fell on
-a bench which was beside him, and against which
-he had been leaning. Captain Morgan continued:
-
-'Come, Harry Fenn, you're a brave lad, and
-we'll strike a bargain. I've taken a fancy to you,
-my boy, and I'll try and protect you from the
-sailors. We are rough people at times, but not so
-bad as we're painted; so if you'll work like the rest,
-I'll warrant you good provender and as merry a life
-as we sea-folk know how to lead.'
-
-'I will not work for such as you,' said Harry
-boldly; 'my father brought me up in honest ways.
-I would rather die than join hands with such men
-as your crew.'
-
-'By my troth, boy, you are ignorant of our
-good deeds, I well see,' said Captain Morgan.
-'Many of those in power are glad enough of our
-inroads on the Spanish Settlements, for those
-rogues get only their deserts if we make them
-discharge a little of their gold. Hast never heard
-of our worthy predecessors? The authorities were
-less squeamish in those days, and called the deeds
-of bold men by fine names, whereas now, in truth,
-it is convenient to dub us buccaneers. There was
-Sir Thomas Seymour, and before him there were
-fine doings by Clarke's squadron. By St. George,
-he was a lucky man! and after six weeks' cruise he
-brought back a prize of 50,000*l.* taken from the
-Spaniards. And how about Drake, Hawkins, and
-Cavendish? There were no ugly names hurled at
-them, and yet methinks they and we go much
-on the same lines. In truth we have done good
-service also against those rascally Dutch, and for
-that alone we deserve better treatment than we get.'
-
-Captain Morgan now noticed that Harry had
-become deadly pale, and, hastily rising, the
-buccaneer opened a locker and took from it a black
-bottle, the contents of which he poured into a glass.
-
-'Here, lad, thou art faint; this will revive thy
-courage. But first swear that thou wilt be one of us.'
-
-Harry had eagerly stretched forth his hand to
-take the glass, but at these words he drew back.
-
-'Nay, but I will not swear; if God wills, I can
-die, but I will not sully my father's name.'
-
-Captain Morgan frowned angrily, and, striding
-up to Harry, took hold of his arm with his left
-hand, and with his right seized the hilt of his sword
-as he exclaimed--
-
-'Swear, boy, or it will be worse for thee.' Harry
-Fenn made one last great effort and staggered
-to his feet; then with his right hand he struck
-the glass with as much strength as he possessed,
-and saw the red wine spurt out upon the floor
-and upon the Captain's doublet.
-
-'God helping me, I will not swear,' he cried;
-but the words were barely audible, as he fell fainting
-on the floor.
-
-'As brave a lad as I ever cast eyes on!' said
-the Captain, losing his stern expression, and,
-stooping down, he poured a few drops of the wine
-into Harry's mouth; then, calling for the cook, he
-bade him tend the boy till he should have regained
-his strength.
-
-'Harry Fenn shall be under my protection,'
-said the Captain to himself, 'but in time he must
-be one of us.'
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER III.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-It is the beginning of December 1670 in
-the beautiful little Island of St. Catherine,
-one of the West Indian Islands,
-which were at this time the rich treasure-house
-of most of the European nations, where
-Spaniards, French, English, and Dutch all hoped
-to make their fortunes in some way or other, and
-where, alas! the idle and good-for-nothing men of
-the Old World attempted by unlawful means to win
-fame and fortune, which, when achieved, as often as
-not brought them neither happiness nor profit.
-
-Though it is December, in St. Catherine there
-is nothing cold or disagreeable in the weather, and
-all around the beauty of the scene delights the
-eye. The mountains, though of no great height,
-are wooded with the loveliest tropical vegetation;
-the well-watered valleys are little Gardens of Eden;
-whilst in some portions, not yet cleared by either
-natives, Spaniards, or Englishmen, the original
-forests rise up like giants of nature whom no hand
-of man has laid low. In these forests are endless
-varieties of birds--parrots, pigeons, and
-hummingbirds of every colour. Here, too, can be found
-land-crabs which much resemble sea-crabs in shape
-and manner of walking; but instead of finding a
-home under rocks and boulders, these crabs burrow
-in the forests, and once a year form themselves
-into a regiment and march down to the sea-coast
-for the purpose of depositing their young in the
-waters. This regiment has only one line of march;
-it never diverges from it, but whatever comes in its
-way is climbed over--straight over it go the crabs;
-and such a noise they make that you can hear
-the clattering of their claws for a considerable
-distance.
-
-We must not now stop to describe this West
-Indian island, which is full of beauty and curious
-plants and trees; but if you come to the wood
-that leads to the great Spanish fortress of Santa
-Teresa, you will find a steep path through the
-luxurious forest, leading over a drawbridge to
-the castle. What a view can be seen from thence
-over the port! But it was not the view that
-the Governor's children were thinking of as they
-walked together in the garden which sloped down
-towards the sea, and which was especially reserved
-for the Governor and his family.
-
-Felipa del Campo was a tall dark girl of about
-fourteen years of age, but she looked older, and there
-was a sad expression on her face as she gazed
-up to her brother, a noble-looking fellow a year
-older, with the long, grave-looking countenance of
-the Spanish nobility. He was dressed, after the
-fashion of that time, in embroidered doublet, short
-velvet tunic, and trunk hose; whilst his
-well-shaped limbs were displayed to perfection in silk
-stockings. His shoes had buckles set with
-diamonds, and his tall Spanish hat was plumed.
-
-Felipa, on her side, had a long silver-embroidered
-skirt, beneath which her dainty feet
-hardly appeared; a small stomacher sewn with seed
-pearls set off her lithe figure, whilst her pretty, dark
-hair strayed from beneath a rich black lace kerchief.
-
-'Where is my father, Carlo?' asked Felipa.
-'Old Catalina says he has been down to-day to give
-orders about the repair of the bridge between the
-two islands. Do you think he is expecting any
-danger? Surely the forts are well protected; but
-what can make him so busy?'
-
-'I don't know what to think,' said Carlo sadly,
-'our father is so strange of late. I have been
-trying to speak to you about it, Felipa, for several
-days, but sometimes I fancy he seems to watch me
-as if he suspected me; though of what I cannot
-imagine. And then--have you noticed?--he cannot
-make up his mind to anything; he orders something
-one day, and the next he has altered his mind.
-He promised me the command of the little fort
-of Santa Cruz when I should be fifteen; but this
-morning when I reminded him of this he spoke
-quite roughly, and told me I was fit for nothing
-but playing with girls.'
-
-Carlo's colour heightened at the very idea of
-this rebuke; for if there was one virtue the boy
-admired more than any other it was courage.
-These two children had been early left motherless;
-but old Catalina, a faithful servant, had done all
-she could to make their lives happy since she had
-brought them here from Spain, after the Marquis
-Don Estevan del Campo had been made Governor
-of St. Catherine.
-
-'Catalina says that our father is not the same
-man he was when our mother first married him,' said
-Felipa thoughtfully. 'The many worries he has
-have made the change. But never mind, Carlo, this
-mood will pass by, and we shall be happy again.
-When our brave uncle, Don Alvarez, comes with
-dear Aunt Elena, then they will advise our father,
-and he always takes Uncle Alvarez's opinion. He
-always does, because uncle speaks so decidedly.'
-
-The two children spoke in Spanish, but,
-strangely enough, they often put in English words
-and whole English phrases; and the reason of this
-was soon apparent, for at this moment a pretty, fair
-girl was seen running towards them with nimble
-feet down the slope, and, picking her way among
-the gorgeous flower-beds, she cried out in pure
-English, though with a slightly foreign accent:
-
-'Dear Felipa, what do you think! There is a
-trading-vessel in the port, and the merchant has
-just come to offer us some beautiful cloth, and
-silver buckles! Catalina dares not send him away
-till you have seen him.'
-
-Carlo smiled as he looked at the English girl's
-beautiful fair hair, rosy cheeks, and active limbs.
-To him she appeared like some angel, for he was
-accustomed to seeing only dark people, and the
-Spanish women in the island were anything but
-beautiful. Felipa shook her head as she answered:
-
-'Tell Catalina to say I want nothing.' The
-Governor's daughter spoke with just that tone of
-command which showed she was accustomed to be
-first, even though her gentle manner and sad face
-plainly indicated that her real nature was rather
-yielding than imperious.
-
-'I can see Etta admired the silver buckles,' said
-Carlo kindly. 'Come, Mistress Englishwoman, I
-will buy you a pair; for, with the dislike to long
-petticoats that comes from your English blood, the
-pretty buckles are more necessary for you than for
-Felipa.'
-
-'Oh, dear Carlo, will you really!' said Etta, her
-face beaming with pleasure. 'How good you are to
-me!' All at once, however, the smile died away, and,
-sitting down on a seat near Felipa, the English girl
-added, with tears in her blue eyes:
-
-'But no, Carlo, I will not accept your buckles:
-a prisoner has no right to wear pretty things.'
-
-'A prisoner! Oh, Etta!' said Felipa, throwing
-her arms round Etta's neck, 'why do you say that?
-Do we not love you dearly? Am I not a sister to
-you? and Carlo a dear brother? Do I not share
-all my things with you? And when Catalina is cross
-to you I make her sorry.'
-
-'And my father has almost forgotten you are not
-one of his own,' added Carlo, standing behind Etta and
-taking one of the fair curls in his hand; for he dearly
-loved this English sister, as he called Etta Allison.
-
-'Yes, yes, it is all true, and Santa Teresa is a
-lovely home; but I cannot forget I am English, and
-that I am really a prisoner. I once asked Don
-Estevan to send me back to England by one of
-the big ships, and he refused; and yet my mother's
-last words were that I was not to forget my own
-land.'
-
-At the thought of her mother Etta's tears came
-fast; but at this moment the Governor of
-St. Catherine himself appeared in the garden, and Etta,
-being afraid to be seen crying, dried her tears and
-stooped down to play with Felipa's little dog, so
-as not to show her red eyes. When she looked up
-again the sunshine had returned to her
-bonnie-looking face.
-
-The Marquis Don Estevan del Campo was a
-small thin-looking man, who had long suffered
-from a liver complaint, and in consequence his
-whole nature seemed to be changed. From a
-determined, clever administrator he had become
-peevish, undecided, and ill-tempered; and the men
-under him hardly knew how to obey his orders,
-which were often very contradictory.
-
-To-day he walked towards Carlo, with a troubled
-expression on his face, and on the way he took
-occasion to find fault with a slave who was watering
-the flower-beds. The slave trembled, as he was
-bidden in a very imperious fashion to be quicker
-about his work.
-
-Carlo came to meet his father, doffing his
-hat in the courtly fashion of a young Spanish noble.
-
-'What are you doing here, children?' the
-Marquis said. 'Is not this your hour of study?'
-
-'You have forgotten, my father, that it is a
-holiday to-day; and I was coming to ask if Felipa
-and Etta might not come down to the bay with me
-and have a row in my canoe.'
-
-The Marquis looked up quickly.
-
-'No, no: there must be no rowing to-day; I
-have set workmen to repair the bridge, and you
-had best keep at home.'
-
-'Then we will go to the Orange Grove,' said
-Felipa, coming up and putting her hand on her
-father's arm, 'and Etta and I will pick some of the
-sweetest fruit for your dessert this evening.'
-
-'As you like, Felipa; but do not go far, and
-take Catalina and some of the slaves with you, for
-I hear several of the wild dogs have been seen in
-this neighbourhood. Anyhow, you will not have
-very long before sunset.'
-
-'I will let the girls go alone, then,' said Carlo,
-'and come with you, father.' And so saying the
-Marquis and his son walked away, whilst the girls
-with an escort of slaves entered the forest and
-went down the mountain side. This forest was
-not, however, such a one as could be found in
-England. Here the pleasant breeze played among
-the leaves of a huge fan palm with leaf-stalks
-ten feet long and fans twelve feet broad; next to
-it might be found a groo-groo or coco palm,
-and bananas and plantains; and below these
-giant trees of the tropics were lovely shrubs,
-covered with flowers of every hue and shape,
-round which flitted great orange butterflies larger
-than any we can see in our colder climate; and
-Etta with her English blood and active nature was
-never tired of chasing them, though now and then
-a little afraid of meeting with snakes.
-
-A great deal of this forest had not been cleared;
-but close by the path the Governor had had much
-of the undergrowth cut away, and lower down he
-had planted a grove of orange-trees, whose green
-fruit Etta and Felipa loved to pick; and round
-about was a lovely wild garden where grew sensitive
-plants and scarlet-flowered balisiers and climbing
-ferns, over which twined convolvuli of every
-colour, whilst the bees buzzed about these
-honeycups, never caring to fly up to the great
-cotton-trees so far above them, because they found
-enough beauty and sweetness in the flowers below.
-
-Felipa and Etta did not know the names of
-even half the beautiful flowers they gathered that
-evening; but they invented fancy names for many
-of them, and arranged with good taste a bunch of
-roses they picked from a bush twenty feet high,
-glad that a few were within their reach, and
-longing for Carlo, so that he might pull down some
-more for them.
-
-Of course there were drawbacks even in this
-lovely place, for there were the wasps and the
-spiders to avoid, and centipedes and ants, too;
-though Etta was never tired of watching the
-'parasol ants' who walk in procession, each
-carrying a bit of green leaf over its head, on which
-were to be found now and then baby ants, having
-a ride home in their elegant carriage.
-
-Ah, it was a beautiful and wonderful home
-these young Spaniards had on this Santa Teresa
-hill; but at that time even the children in West
-Indian homes knew there were dangers that might
-come upon them, and St. Catherine had already
-been the scene of disasters which Etta could just
-remember, but which Felipa had seen nothing of
-as yet, having only been brought from Spain when
-the Marquis was firmly established as Governor of
-the island.
-
-After the girls had gathered as big nosegays
-as they could carry they began to ascend the hill
-again, for darkness would soon come upon them,
-there being no twilight in this lovely region, and
-even with their escort of slaves they were not
-allowed to be out after sunset.
-
-'Dear Etta,' said Felipa, putting her arm round
-her friend's neck, 'promise me you will never again
-call yourself a prisoner. You would not care to
-leave me and beautiful Santa Teresa to go back to
-that dreadfully cold, foggy England? Surely you
-have not found us such cruel Spaniards as your
-people talk of; and Carlo loves you better than he
-loves me, I think.'
-
-Etta smiled and kissed her friend, but she
-answered:
-
-'I love you and Carlo very, very much, Felipa;
-but my dear mother told me before she died that
-I was never to part with the letters she gave me,
-and that some day I must go home and find my
-relations; for in my country I come from an
-honourable family, but here I am only an English
-prisoner.'
-
-Felipa was going to argue the question again,
-when Carlo came running down to meet them.
-
-'Make haste, Felipa and Etta: my father has
-suddenly made up his mind to go to the other
-island this evening; he means to sleep at the Fort
-St. Jerome, and he says we may accompany him.' The
-girls, always ready for a little journey, as they
-seldom left Santa Teresa, clapped their hands in
-joy and ran up the narrow path to the entrance of
-the castle, in high glee at the unexpected pleasure.
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`THE PIRATES ARE COMING`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER IV.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE PIRATES ARE COMING.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-St. Catherine is composed of two
-islands, but so small was the space
-between them that the Marquis had had
-a secure bridge built across the tiny
-strait, and the two islands were always reckoned
-as one. The children were quite ignorant of the
-reason of their sudden trip to the greater island,
-and indeed they only thought of enjoying the fun
-of going to a new residence; for close to
-St. Jerome was the Governor's house, near a battery
-called the Platform, and in sight of the Bay of
-Aquada Grande. A river ran from the Platform
-to the sea, and the Marquis had wished to assure
-himself of the forts being in good order, as the
-captain of a friendly ship touching lately at
-St. Catherine had sent a message to him that there were
-rumours of some attempt on Panama being set on
-foot by the pirates, and that the Governor of Panama
-begged Don Estevan del Campo to keep a sharp
-look-out at St. Catherine, for that island had once
-been in the hands of the English pirates, and it was
-known that since the great buccaneer Mansfelt had
-died and the island had been re-taken by the
-Spaniards great hopes were entertained by several bands
-of English pirates that this little island might once
-more belong to them. It was for this reason that
-the Spaniards had constructed many forts on the
-island, especially on the lesser St. Catherine, which
-was not quite so well provided with natural
-defences as was the larger island.
-
-It was the receipt of this news that had so
-greatly disturbed the much-worn-out Marquis, and
-his nerves were indeed hardly equal to the difficult
-duties entrusted to him. Pirates had increased
-terribly of late years. Jamaica, though it had a
-Governor supposed to be engaged in suppressing
-them, was yet quite a nest of these bold outlaws,
-who, taking advantage of the English jealousy of
-Spain, cared not what outrage they committed on
-Spanish towns and Spanish islands; though, in
-truth, other nations fared but little better at their
-hands.
-
-The Marquis had examined the fortresses in
-the lesser island, and was much troubled at the
-few men that were at his disposal for manning
-them, and for the defence of the island generally;
-and now, having come to St. Jerome, he determined
-to send a boat down the river this very evening in
-order to ask for help and advice from the Governor
-of Costa Rica, Don John Perez de Guzman, who
-had five years before so ably retaken the island.
-But all this amount of thought and anxiety had
-quite unnerved the poor Marquis, who scolded
-every one about him, found fault with the garrison,
-and severely punished some negro slaves for their
-idleness in the plantations of the Platform; but, as
-the negroes were always idle, they considered their
-punishment very unfair.
-
-The next evening Carlo went into the pretty
-sitting-room of the girls, which looked upon the
-river and out towards the beautiful bay; but when
-Felipa, who was very musical, and could sing in
-French, Spanish, and English, took up her lute,
-begging him to join in, he shook his head and
-surprised her by his answer.
-
-'Felipa, don't ask me to sing; I am sure something
-is the matter with our father. He has got into
-a passion with Espada, and has put him in irons.
-It is very unwise, for Espada is a revengeful man,
-and he has great influence with the other men in
-the fort, some of whom were once outlaws from
-Puerto Velo. I wish I were a man and that my
-father would consult me. His Catholic Majesty
-ought to give my father a pension and let us all go
-back to Spain, for I am sure this place does not
-agree with him.'
-
-Etta listened sadly to Carlo's words; when he
-was troubled about his father she was very sorry,
-for the boy was one whom nobody could help
-loving and admiring.
-
-'Dear Carlo, if the King of Spain knew you
-he would, I am sure, make you Governor of beautiful
-St. Catherine, and then the poor negroes would not
-be oppressed, nor the gentle Indians hunted with
-dogs as you say they are sometimes. My father
-used to tell me of the dreadful cruelties used
-towards those poor people in past days. In
-England such things would not be allowed.' And, so
-saying, Etta raised her head proudly, feeling that
-an Englishman was better than a Spaniard.
-
-Felipa passed her hands over the lute, saying, as
-the sweet tones were wafted through the room:
-
-'Do not talk of such things, Etta. I am sure
-our Indians are not unhappy. Andreas loves us
-clearly; and we make the negroes, not the Indians,
-work on the marshes. Now I shall sing to drive
-away your ugly fancies.'
-
-And she sang softly an evening hymn in
-Spanish, and Carlo and Etta joined in too, so that
-the sound of the young voices floated over the clear
-waters of the river, whilst the scent of sweet spice
-plants was wafted in. Surely Felipa was right: it
-was not suitable to talk of human miseries when
-all around nature was so exquisite. Old Catalina
-soon came in with the evening supper, saying the
-Marquis had gone out and would sup alone; and
-very early the girls retired to bed; Carlo told them
-not to dream of troubles, because he should be
-next door to them in case they were frightened.
-He felt that his sister was under his charge now
-that their father the Marquis was so little able to
-see after her.
-
-Old Catalina counted her beads and muttered
-her prayers long after the two girls were sleeping
-soundly; and as she stooped over Etta's bed and
-noticed how fair the girl was, she murmured: 'It is
-a pity this pretty child is a Protestant; but I hope
-when she is older she will be one with us; for
-otherwise the Marquis will thrust her out and not
-let her come home with us to Spain, and my
-darling Felipa will break her heart, for she loves
-her English playfellow dearly.'
-
-But the night was not to pass as quietly and
-peacefully as it had begun. Catalina lay on a
-mattress in her young mistress's room; but, being a
-heavy sleeper, she did not hear a hasty knock at
-the door, and the repeated call of 'Catalina!
-Felipa! quick! open the door! Why do you all sleep so
-soundly!'
-
-Etta was the first to awake, and, throwing a
-coloured shawl about her, she ran to the door and
-opened it.
-
-'What is up, Carlo?' she said rather sleepily.
-
-'Wake Catalina and Felipa, and make haste
-and dress yourselves. My father says we must fly
-from here at once: the pirates are outside the bay.
-They will land early to-morrow, perhaps opposite
-this very fort. I beseech you, make all haste you
-can.' In a few minutes the frightened girl had
-shaken Catalina, and was trying to explain to Felipa
-what the danger was which threatened them.
-
-'Oh, Felipa, the pirates are coming! Quick! quick! make
-haste and dress, for the Marquis says
-we must go back to Santa Teresa at once.'
-
-Catalina began wringing her hands as poor
-Felipa turned deadly pale.
-
-'We shall all be killed! May the saints protect
-us! Ah, my poor lamb! who could have believed
-those wicked wretches would have dared to show
-themselves here again, and in your father's lifetime.
-Alas! alas! make haste, sweetheart, and let us fly!'
-
-Felipa was so frightened that she could hardly
-dress herself; and poor Etta, who knew more about
-the dreaded sea-robbers than did Felipa, tried to be
-brave in order not to increase the Spanish girl's
-terror. Etta was brave, and in many ways fearless
-in all ordinary affairs; but the cry 'The pirates
-are coming!' was one of the most dreaded in the
-West Indies--a cry which had often taken the spirit
-out of the heart of a bold sea-captain, who knew
-the desperate courage and reckless indifference to
-life exhibited by the men who infested these seas.
-
-When Catalina and the girls were dressed they
-stepped forth, to find the Marquis and Carlo
-waiting for them. The former was walking up and
-down the hall of the house discussing the terrible
-news with some Spanish officers.
-
-'Your Excellency knows that this fort cannot
-long resist a fierce assault,' said one of them. 'Were
-it not better to evacuate the Platform and concentrate
-our forces on the lesser island batteries? The
-fortresses there are strongly built, and with our men
-we could put them in a better state of resistance.'
-
-'They will not land to-night,' said the wretched
-Marquis, looking the picture of an undecided man.
-'If you think, Don Francisco, that flight would be
-the best plan, give orders to your men. Ah, here
-are the children. Are the horses ready? We have
-no time to waste; and yet what say you? Perhaps
-these wretches will think better of it, and leave
-Port St. Catherine in peace. Were it not better
-after all to stay here?'
-
-'Let us stay, father,' put in Carlo. 'If you will
-let me fight, I am sure I shall be able to defend
-this place. Do not let this handful of rascals
-believe we fear them.'
-
-'Give your opinion, Carlo, when you are asked,
-and not before. Are the horses ready? Now,
-Felipa, wrap your scarf well round you; we have
-a long way to go. Yes, I think it is better to go
-than to stay.'
-
-'We shall be safe at Santa Teresa, father, are
-you sure?' sobbed Felipa; whilst Etta, looking at
-Carlo's fearless expression of face, determined to
-say nothing, for he had once said girls were always
-afraid.
-
-It was a very anxious and silent cavalcade that
-made its way back towards the small island that
-night, and contrasted strangely with that which
-had come hither but quite lately, laughing and
-chatting to their hearts' content.
-
-Carlo, however, managed to ride near Etta
-occasionally when the ground was clearer so as to
-allow their horses to walk abreast. Felipa kept
-close to her father, as if near him she would be
-quite safe from the dreaded foes. Every now and
-then she looked back into the darkness towards
-the little village at the foot of the Platform; where,
-however, all was at present still and quiet.
-
-'Is it really true?' whispered Etta to Carlo, as
-if she could be heard from this distance; 'have they
-been seen?'
-
-'I think so. José the one-eyed, who, they say,
-was once a pirate himself, noticed the ships
-creeping round towards the bay just before sundown, and
-he came all the way from San Salvador to give the
-news, hearing my father was here. However, of
-course they may think better of attacking us.
-José believes he recognises one of Mansfelt's old
-ships; but I think terror gives him double sight,
-For all that, I wish my father would have stayed
-and driven off the rascals on their first landing. It
-looks as if we feared them, and that will make
-them bolder.'
-
-Not much more was said, and the cavalcade rode
-through the dark forest, and then emerged on
-the sea coast, for towards the north of the island
-the cliffs became lower, and before reaching the
-bridge there was a good stretch of open country.
-
-'God be praised, and all his saints!' said
-Catalina, 'I can see the crest of Santa Teresa. We shall
-now soon be in safety. The rascals cannot climb
-our mountain; and if they come we can hurl them
-down into the sea. I wouldn't mind helping to do
-that with my own hands.'
-
-The Marquis had already sent on a messenger
-to collect several officers at the Castle of Santa
-Teresa, which, with its thick walls, its great moat,
-its impregnable cliff on the sea-side, and its difficult
-ascent towards the land, was a secure retreat, where
-the Governor could hold a council of war, and
-decide what course to take as to repulsing the enemy
-should he land on the shores of St. Catherine.
-
-'I wish my father would take his own counsel,'
-thought Carlo for the hundredth time, 'and then he
-would at least know his own mind. However, now
-there is real danger, he cannot prevent my helping
-to defend my sister and my home.' And this feeling
-made the proud, brave boy forget that fighting
-does not always mean victory, and caused him not
-to be altogether sorry that he should have a chance
-of distinguishing himself, and perhaps--who
-knew?--the King of Spain would hear of it. Carlo had
-read of the deeds of brave knights and of their
-wonderful exploits, and was eager to begin also
-his own career of fame; but reality is often, alas,
-very unlike our dreams.
-
-All nature was fully awake when the Governor
-reached Santa Teresa; and the girls, once more
-safely surrounded by habitual sights and sounds,
-forgot their fears, and, after a little rest and
-refreshment, began, as before, running happily about the
-gardens within the enclosure. The guards were,
-however, at once doubled, and the negro slaves
-posted in the wood.
-
-'Here we shall not see the pirates land,' said
-Felipa, now almost disappointed, 'nor the punishment
-our people will give them. I am sure Carlo
-would have been able to defeat them with the help
-of a few men. Don't you think so, Etta?'
-
-'I do not know; but, Felipa, let us say our
-prayers, and then we shall be sure they will not
-hurt us. Do you know that, in the excitement of the
-journey, I forgot mine this morning; and I promised
-my mother never to leave them out.'
-
-'So did I,' exclaimed Felipa, 'but I shall tell
-Padre Augustine and he will forgive me.' Etta
-had no such comfort, for she had been early
-imbued by her parents with a great disbelief in the
-religion of the Spanish settlers; but from living
-with Felipa, and being kindly treated by her
-captors, she had begun to take Felipa's opinions as a
-matter of course; though now and then the girls
-had little differences as to the various merits of
-their Churches. Had Etta not been of a very
-determined character, most likely she would have
-forgotten her own faith; but early troubles had made
-her old in ideas, and passionate love for her dead
-parents kept all their wishes in her mind. She
-would sooner have died than have become a Roman
-Catholic, and at present the Marquis had not taken
-the trouble to inquire into the matter. Had Felipa
-not wanted a companion, Etta's fate might have
-been a sad one; as it was, she enjoyed all the
-privileges of the Governor's little daughter. But often
-the English girl would steal away to read over
-some of her precious letters, or to kiss the few
-relics she possessed of the gentle mother who had
-died at St. Catherine. In these days many sad
-stories might have been told of the sufferings of
-the wives of the merchants or Governors who had
-to live away from their country, or who for some
-reason crossed the seas to come to the West Indies.
-The prisons of Algeria and the haunts of the
-West Indian pirates could have revealed, and
-did reveal, many a sad story of captivity and
-ill-treatment.
-
-But the day was not to pass without news of
-the enemy; for in the afternoon Carlo, who had
-been round the fort with his father, ran in to tell
-the girls that a messenger had just arrived from the
-other island.
-
-'The saints protect us! And what does he say?
-Have they made dried meat of them already?'
-said Catalina, referring to the meaning of the word
-buccaneer.
-
-'The enemy has landed below the Platform;
-they are about a thousand strong, and their
-leader is no other than the terrible Captain
-Morgan the Englishman,' said Carlo, much excited.
-
-'A thousand strong!' exclaimed Felipa. 'Then
-we shall need all our men. But they cannot reach
-us here. What does our father say?'
-
-Carlo shrugged his shoulders.
-
-'He will give no positive orders, but the rascals
-are really marching through the woods towards us.
-I wonder at their rashness, for here we are so well
-prepared to receive them that they will find it too
-warm for them. We are to have a council of war
-this evening. Now, if I were Governor I would
-starve them out.'
-
-'Will father let you attend the council?' asked
-Felipa, looking upon her brother as already a knight
-of renown.
-
-'Nay, but he must. I can use a sword as well
-as any one. Etta, you shall tie my scarf, and I
-will wear your colours on my scabbard.'
-
-Etta shook her head sadly.
-
-'The pirates are from my country. Your father
-will be angry with me, Carlo; and yet my father
-was none of them. He was a brave and honest
-merchant.'
-
-'No one shall blame thee, dear Etta,' said the
-boy, 'or if they do, I will offer single combat.' And
-Carlo went through his military exercises with
-great show and laughter, till Catalina and some
-slaves arrived, and desired the young people to
-come and help with the defence of the castle by
-taking away all the valuables and hiding them in
-the dungeons below or in a well under the flags of
-the inner courtyard.
-
-Carlo was very angry at this order of his
-father's: it seemed to presuppose the taking of
-Santa Teresa.
-
-'As if the pirates would ever enter this stronghold!'
-he said impatiently. 'If I may be allowed
-to speak, I will offer to lead out a party from Santa
-Teresa, and the robbers will see something worth
-seeing then. I must go and find my father and
-persuade him.'
-
-In spite of his objection, however, Carlo, as well
-as every one else, had to work with a will within
-the walls of Santa Teresa; whilst the Marquis,
-hardly able to hide his fears, paced restlessly up
-and down without the castle, often sending negro
-scouts on all sides to ascertain the real truth; but
-he got such contradictory answers that he half
-feared the negroes were too much afraid to venture
-near enough to the advancing enemy to ascertain
-how matters stood.
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`THE SCOUTS`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER V.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE SCOUTS.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-The council of war presided over by the
-Marquis took place late that afternoon;
-and Carlo, bent on proving his capabilities
-as a soldier, slipped in with the
-officers and various Spaniards in authority who had
-been able to leave their several stations to join in
-the discussion. The Marquis was so much
-disturbed and troubled that he took no heed of his
-son, for as the officers entered the private room of
-the Governor the sound of cannon was distinctly
-heard in the distance, much to the dismay of many
-present.
-
-'Those are the guns of St. Jerome,' said one of
-the officers. 'The enemy must have reached the
-bridge, and we may expect them here by sunset.
-Shall we give the order for all the neighbouring
-guns to fire, sir.'
-
-'That will not be necessary,' answered the
-Marquis, testily. 'How many guns are there at
-St. Jerome? Surely enough to drive these robbers
-back to their boats?'
-
-'We have eight, Señor, at St. Jerome, and
-those will play freely on them; they will be caught
-in a trap.'
-
-'Well, then, that will settle them. We know
-they cannot advance up the river below this hill.'
-
-'Only a canoe could reach us here, and that
-would hold but a few men,' said Don Francisco.
-
-'The blacks declare that Captain Morgan has
-only four hundred men with him; if so, there will
-be no great difficulty.'
-
-'Nay, but the Indian Andreas,' said Carlo, 'has
-just told me they are more like a thousand strong.
-I believe Andreas is the only scout who gets near
-enough to know.'
-
-Carlo had an especial liking for Andreas, who
-often accompanied him out into the woods to kill
-the birds. He was a very sharp fellow, and knew
-every turn and winding in the islands.
-
-'A thousand strong! What nonsense, Carlo!
-Your opinion was not asked, boy, and silence is
-your best course,' said the Marquis, angrily.
-
-Carlo blushed, but all the same he knew he
-was right, and was terribly annoyed at hearing his
-father ask counsel first of one and then of another,
-without coming to any decision. He saw several
-of the officers looking evidently anxious, and when
-the council of war broke up--having decided
-nothing but that a scout should be sent to
-St. Jerome for news, and that there should be another
-meeting next morning--Carlo went up to an officer
-and said hastily:
-
-'Why do we not collect a force of men and go
-out to meet them in the marshes?--for that is surely
-the way they will advance.'
-
-'The Marquis thinks otherwise, Señorito; and
-he may be right, for they may find themselves in
-a sad fix in some of the swamps in the low ground
-or in the woods, and then they may think it better
-to return without trying to take a fortress.
-Besides, we do not know how much powder they may
-have brought, and we must not waste our own
-ammunition.'
-
-This was all the consolation Carlo could get,
-and he went back to his sister's room looking very
-crestfallen and anxious. So to her eager
-questioning he answered:
-
-'I wish father would let Don Francisco de
-Paratta take the command; he himself is quite
-unable to take it. I could see by Don Francisco's
-face that he thinks we are doing wrong. We have
-not even got true information yet as to their
-number. I have a great mind----' Carlo paused,
-for a sudden idea now entered his head.
-
-'What are you thinking of?' said Felipa, turning
-pale. 'Oh, Carlo, do not do anything rash. What
-should we do without you?'
-
-'Oh, you are safe enough here at Santa Teresa;
-it would be impossible to take this place by storm
-with a thousand men, or even double that number,
-so you need not be afraid, dear Felipa.'
-
-'I know you mean to go and see for yourself,'
-said Etta. 'I wish I were a boy and I could go
-with you. To stay still makes one imagine many
-impossible things.'
-
-'Hush! don't tell any one, especially Catalina,'
-said Carlo, looking round and seeing they were
-alone; 'she chatters so much. My plan is this: I
-will slip outside presently before the gate is shut
-and run down the hill to the river. There Andreas
-has a canoe safely hidden in the bushes, and he
-will paddle me down to the mangrove swamps,
-and from there we may get near to them and see
-for ourselves how the pirates are situated.'
-
-'But you will get killed,' sobbed Felipa. 'These
-wicked English pirates are worse than cannibals;
-Catalina says that they roast their prisoners alive,
-and----'
-
-'Nonsense! Dry your tears, little sister, and
-believe me, Andreas is too clever a fellow to let us
-get eaten. I shall be back before very late, and I
-know the only breach that can be climbed.'
-
-Seeing her brother so cheerful, Felipa dried her
-tears, and hung a little coin round his neck, which,
-she said, would keep him from harm; and then she
-and Etta determined to sit up till he should come
-back, for when he was once gone they would not
-mind telling Catalina.
-
-In the meantime all was bustle within the fort.
-The Spaniards had found out now that the Governor
-had entirely lost his nerve, and this increased the
-panic of the garrison. The men on watch amused
-themselves by telling thrilling and horrible stories
-of the various tortures inflicted by the pirates on
-their prisoners, and speculated as to the fate of the
-garrison of St. Jerome, whose fire had ceased when
-the sun went down. However, every one knew that
-Santa Teresa was safe enough, and that even if
-some bold spirits climbed up the steep path on the
-land side no great number could come on at the
-same time and so carry the place by assault.
-
-At nightfall, Carlo, unseen by any one, slipped
-out of the fort; and, plunging into the wood, he was
-soon joined by the Indian Andreas, who was a fine
-fellow, a Christian, and, moreover, devotedly fond
-of the young Spaniard, who had always treated
-him with kindness. Andreas spoke fluent Spanish,
-from having been early taught by the Spanish
-priests, who had brought him up after his father's
-death.
-
-'That's right, Andreas,' said Carlo, when he
-saw him. 'Now make haste and show me your
-path down to the river; the other one is watched
-by the slaves, and they might set the dogs on us
-by mistake. I reckon we can reach the swamps
-in two hours with your canoe, and you tell me that
-you are sure the enemy is encamped near there.'
-
-'Yes, Señorito, that is the truth; my little boy
-brought me word. And I believe they are in great
-distress for want of food; but we shall see. Look,
-noble Carlo: I have brought my arrows; and woe
-to any one that tries to touch us!'
-
-After some very difficult walking in the mazes
-of the forest, through which no one but an Indian
-could have steered, the two at last reached the
-river, which ran far below Santa Teresa; and though
-this stream was only navigable for canoes, it was
-often used by the Indians and Spaniards when in
-haste to reach the sea, instead of taking the longer
-journey by the land road. Andreas had powers of
-sight which appeared quite extraordinary to Carlo;
-and when the two were seated in the frail canoe,
-it was wonderful how the Indian paddled the boat,
-swiftly and surely, avoiding the rocks as if it were
-broad daylight, and never mistaking the many
-bends. Had Carlo been alone he would have
-grounded the boat half a dozen times, and not
-have reached his destination before daylight; but
-as it was, in two hours the boat glided swiftly into
-the midst of the mangrove swamp through which
-the river here made its way. All was quiet at first;
-the canoe did not even disturb the herons and
-pelicans which slept near by on the interlaced
-roots of the mangroves.
-
-'If the pirates could have got into this swamp,'
-whispered Andreas, 'there would be no need of
-our cannon; but they are too crafty for that. They
-have doubtless seized a good guide who would not
-dare to betray them; otherwise they never could
-have reached Guana's Creek, where, I hear, they
-have encamped to-night.'
-
-They drew up the canoe near to a great stump
-standing out in the water, and, mooring it there,
-Andreas stepped on to a dry piece of ground;
-then, stooping down, he listened intently, till like a
-stealthy animal he returned to Carlo.
-
-'I am sure, Señorito, that I can hear the sound
-of the enemy. I must creep up through the grove
-and get to the higher ground; then I will return
-with news, if you will wait. I dare not let you
-come till I have seen how the land lies. Lie down
-in the canoe, and I will make haste. But cover
-yourself up, for the air is bad here, Señor; indeed
-you must chew this root, and then you will feel no
-harm.' And so saying, Andreas drew a dark-looking
-bit of root from his pocket, which was a secret
-remedy against the swamp malaria, known only to
-the Indians; then, walking quickly towards the
-jungle, he disappeared into the darkness.
-
-Carlo had to wait what seemed to him a long
-time before Andreas came back; and what made
-it worse for him was the rain, which began to fall
-heavily. At last, when he was beginning to think
-his Indian friend had been caught by the pirates,
-he was startled by hearing a little splash in the
-water beside him, and in another moment Andreas
-himself was in the canoe.
-
-'The young Señor did not hear me,' said the
-Indian, smiling at the start Carlo gave. 'It was to
-show him how well Andreas can walk in silence
-that I came so quietly.'
-
-'Did you see them, good Andreas? Tell me
-quickly, shall I come now, or must we go back?'
-
-'Yes, yes, Señor, I saw them. They are many--a
-thousand, I fancy, or about that number; but
-they are in a bad position; they have no food, and
-no fire to cook it with. I went up quite close and
-saw the Captain.'
-
-'Captain Morgan! Oh, Andreas, did he look
-a wicked man? Tell me what he looked like.'
-
-'A tall, fair Englishman, Señor, but not
-evil-looking; only some of his followers had the bad
-countenances of wicked men. I could see that
-they were discontented; and I heard some
-discussing if they should go back to their ships.
-Look now, Señor Carlo: if you can persuade the
-noble Governor to send a hundred well-armed
-soldiers to-night against these same men, we shall
-have no more trouble with them. We could drive
-them into the swamp, and then the swamp would
-do the rest. Why, they were badly off: some had
-naked feet like the poor Indians, and some had
-but ragged clothes, and very few had firearms.
-They were angry with the Captain at being led into
-the marsh, and they huddled together when the
-rain began to fall, cursing their misfortunes.'
-
-'It will go on raining all night, I fancy,' said
-Carlo. 'I have been nicely sheltered here; but out
-where they are camped there are but few trees.
-How could you see all this, good Andreas, for it is
-still dark?'
-
-'Well enough, Señor, for the rascals had pulled
-down some of the Indian huts that lie up above,
-and had made a fire of them. Captain Morgan
-was trying to make himself comfortable; and I saw
-a young lad about your size and your age, Señorito,
-in the Captain's rude tent. I thought he must
-be his son; but he looked sad and dejected, and
-not like one of the pirates. Perhaps some young
-prisoner they have taken. He was busy making
-up the fire, but I noticed that another fellow watched
-him pretty closely whenever he strayed a little.
-Yes, I am sure he was a prisoner.'
-
-This did not interest Carlo so much as Andreas'
-idea about the hundred men being sent out against
-the pirates.
-
-'Andreas, you are right. Quick, let us make
-haste home, and I will do my best to persuade my
-father to send a body of soldiers here by daybreak.
-If only he will believe us! Are you tired? Let
-me row a little.'
-
-But Andreas laughed.
-
-'The Señorito would stick us in the mud at the
-next bend,' he said, and, taking up his paddle, he
-sent the frail boat into mid-stream, and as silently
-as they had come they returned towards Santa
-Teresa. During the journey Carlo hardly spoke;
-he was planning the morning's expedition in his
-own mind; and already he had cleared the whole
-island of the dreaded horde, and covered the name
-of Estevan del Campo with glory and honour.
-
-By the time the canoe shot into a tiny cove at
-the foot of Santa Teresa, Carlo was glad enough to
-jump up and follow his leader through the forest by
-an Indian path; and with Andreas' help the wall was
-scaled, and both entered the enclosure unperceived.
-
-'It is to be hoped the pirates do not know this
-path,' he said to Andreas; 'but, even if they did,
-not more than a single file of men could get up
-here. Do the guides here know of it, Andreas?'
-
-Andreas shook his head.
-
-'Hush, young master, tell no one of it. It is
-known only to the Indians of my tribe, and there
-are but few of us now. Good-night, Señorito; I will
-be ready in the morning if you want another guide.'
-
-Carlo warmly shook the faithful Indian's hand
-as he bade him good-bye. Before the Spanish
-occupation Andreas had been a chief's son; but
-his father had long ago been killed by the white
-men, and the tribe was broken up. The boy
-had been educated by the missionaries, but had
-never altogether forgotten his childhood; and
-but for his love of Carlo del Campo some said he
-would ere this have run away from the Governor's
-estate, where he was forced to tend the gardens
-and to see his children brought up as something
-not much better than mere slaves, whilst his gentle
-wife was expected to help Catalina in household
-duties, cook the food for the black slaves, and wait
-on the young ladies.
-
-Carlo was able to creep upstairs unheard by
-any one; and, seeing a light in his sister's
-sitting-room, he knocked softly. Catalina opened the
-door, and the girls, who had fallen asleep on a
-couch, jumped up eagerly.
-
-'Carlo, there you are! Tell us the news! How
-glad I am you are safe home!'
-
-'I dreamt you were drawn and quartered by
-the pirates. My poor lamb,' cried Catalina, 'how
-we prayed for you, till we fell asleep and forgot to
-finish the Litany of Danger!'
-
-'Nonsense! there was no danger at all; the
-pirates are in a bad way, and it is raining hard.
-But tell me where my father is. We have only to
-send out men and we are saved. Andreas knows
-exactly where they are encamped.'
-
-'The noble Marquis was in the guard-room
-below when I came up,' said Catalina. 'No one
-has gone to bed this night.'
-
-Carlo hastened away cheerfully. He was some
-time absent; but when he returned his young face
-was clouded over with deep disappointment.
-
-'It is of no use; my father will not believe me.
-He refuses to do anything till there can be another
-council, and then it may be too late. Why am I
-not a man!'
-
-'Never mind, dear Carlo,' whispered Etta softly;
-'the council may believe you, and then----'
-
-But Carlo shook his head, and, tired out, he
-went to his own bed and fell asleep from sheer
-fatigue.
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`HATCHING A PLOT`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER VI.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- HATCHING A PLOT.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-The next morning the rain stopped, and the
-sun shone out brightly and powerfully
-over the beautiful wood which clothed
-the steep sides of Santa Teresa. The
-cocoa-nut trees and the various kinds of palms
-softly waved their beautiful heads in the morning
-breeze; the sulphur and black butterflies flew hither
-and thither about the crimson, yellow, and green
-pods of the cocoa, and on the orchids that hung from
-the giant stems. All this and much more beauty
-was unheeded by the people in Santa Teresa, for
-before the council of war could meet Andreas
-came running into the courtyard, where Carlo had
-just come down to hear what news he could, too
-angry to seek out his father after his disappointment
-of the previous night.
-
-'Young master, where is the noble Marquis?
-Has he sent no one? No? Ah, Señorito, now it
-is too late, for a canoe is coming up the river, and
-it is not a mile distant. The pirates have sent a
-messenger, and the young English boy I told you
-of is with him. They are flying a white flag; that
-means, the pirate captain has sent them to parley.
-They have recovered their courage this morning,
-or they would not have come to treat. It will be
-too late to attack them now, and you see the rain
-has stopped.'
-
-Andreas wrung his hands in a manner peculiar
-to the gentle Indian race to which he belonged;
-whilst Carlo, much excited by the news, impatiently
-drew him forward towards the Marquis's room.
-
-'Come and tell my father, Andreas. I cannot
-persuade him you really saw the men. He says
-that you were mistaken last night, and that the
-pirates are armed to the teeth.'
-
-'The great Governor will not believe! And
-yet I could have even brought something away from
-the vultures' tent,' added Andreas with a smile.
-
-Alas! it was only too true. Instead of being
-surprised at the arrival of a pirate messenger, Don
-Estevan del Campo seemed greatly relieved. He
-had up to this hour decided on nothing, and was
-more excited and more unfit to issue commands than
-he had been even the day before. Carlo appealed
-to Don Francisco; but this officer was powerless
-without the sanction of the Governor, and the more
-the latter was urged to fight the less he seemed
-inclined to do so.
-
-The Marquis listened to the news the Indian
-brought, and then ordered some soldiers to go
-down to the river and conduct the messengers into
-the castle. They were to be well guarded, and to
-have their eyes bandaged for fear of discovering
-any secrets, such as taking notes of the path up
-the steep hill of Santa Terea.
-
-Great was the excitement in the castle when it
-was known that the pirates had been bold enough
-to send an envoy. Some suggested that these
-heralds of robbers should not be received; others,
-that they should be sent back with threats; others,
-that hanging was too good for them; whilst Don
-Francisco declared plainly that a garrison of His
-Catholic Majesty of Spain had no business to
-parley with English rascals; but Don Estevan,
-going from one to the other, listened to all the
-contradictory advice, merely saying at the end:
-
-'No, no, good sirs, but we must hear what they
-say. Most likely this herald brings us an
-unconditional surrender, in which case we shall have
-trapped the rats without wasting our powder.' But
-Don Francisco answered:
-
-'That is not very likely, noble Marquis; there
-seems no doubt it is Henry Morgan who himself
-leads the band, and he was never known to
-surrender. Andreas swears there are a great
-number of them. If so, they will surely attack us.'
-
-The surmises were at length set at rest by the
-entrance of the soldiers, who brought with them a
-short, thick-set man, whose determined face spoke
-of dauntless courage and daring. With him was
-a tall fair youth, with a noble but sad and
-care-worn expression of face.
-
-From the windows of their dwelling-room
-Felipa and Etta had watched the entrance of the
-new arrivals; and Carlo, who had rushed in to do
-the same, could not help an exclamation of surprise
-at the sight of the lad, who was about his own age
-and size. As for Etta, her admiration found vent
-in words.
-
-'Look, Felipa, that is an English boy! How
-handsome he is! He does not look wicked, does he?
-Perhaps he is Henry Morgan's son. How I wish
-these were not wicked pirates! I would talk to
-them of England, and perhaps they might know
-my relations and would some day take me back.
-But the man looks every inch of him like an evil
-buccaneer.'
-
-'Etta, what nonsense you are talking!' said
-Carlo; 'the youth is most likely as wicked as the
-rest. Andreas saw him last night. Yes, he must be
-the Captain's son. Now I shall go and hear their
-propositions. If I had had my way there would
-have been no messengers alive by this hour to
-suggest any terms. One should give no quarter to
-such foes.'
-
-After Carlo had gone, the two girls, who were busy
-over some beautiful Spanish embroidery, still sat by
-the window hoping to see the pirates go back
-blindfolded. Such excitement had not before fallen
-to the lot of Felipa; for during the five years she
-had been in this beautiful and peaceful island home,
-nothing more exciting had occurred than a few
-expeditions to the other island, or a row on the
-lagoon. The Marquis, her father, had been much
-blamed by his Spanish kindred for having sent for
-his daughter from Spain; but his reasons had been,
-besides his natural affection for her, a fear that
-after her mother's death her uncles might marry
-the young girl to one of their own friends and pass
-it off as an order of the King. Till now Del Campo
-had certainly not regretted the step, for he wished
-to keep Felipa with him till she should marry a
-man of his own choosing. In those days young
-girls were promised in marriage to men whom they
-had never seen, and very often their lovers were
-old and unattractive, though they were of course
-wealthy or had some other recommendation in
-the eyes of the parents of the high-born Spanish
-maidens.
-
-Felipa quite believed Carlo when he assured
-her and Etta that Santa Teresa was much too
-strong and well-fortified to be taken by even such
-a large number of pirates as had now landed; so
-the fears of the maidens were, in consequence,
-much diminished, and a good deal of curiosity
-mingled with their sympathy at Carlo's disappointment.
-
-'After all,' said Felipa, who was not naturally
-brave, 'if Carlo had gone out to fight the pirates
-he might have been killed, so it is just as well
-our father waited for daylight, and to hear what
-Captain Morgan had to say. Don't you think so, Etta?'
-
-'Brave soldiers never think whether they shall
-be killed or not,' said Etta. 'I am sure the Captain's
-son is brave; he walked in with his head thrown
-back, and looked so handsome.'
-
-'Oh, Etta, if any one is an Englishman you
-think he must be perfect,' said Felipa, crossly. 'I
-tell you these pirates are all wicked, and make war
-on defenceless women and children. That is
-unworthy of any great nation.' But Etta retorted:
-
-'Nay, but the Spaniards are more cruel than
-the English.' They might have gone on disputing
-over their nationalities had not Carlo reappeared,
-carrying with him a document which he was trying
-to decipher.
-
-'Etta, here, quick. This is crabbed English
-writing, and the Marquis said that you were to
-help me to read it, and to write it out in fair
-Spanish, so that the council may deliberate on it.
-The boy who has accompanied the messenger
-cannot speak many words of Spanish, and will do
-nothing but shake his head. If I had my wish I
-would have both man and boy hung up on the
-tallest prickly palm of the estate.'
-
-Etta in the meanwhile was deciphering the
-words, which had been written on the rind of the
-fruit of the cabbage-palm, which rind looked very
-much like a piece of parchment, and was indeed
-often used instead of it in the West Indies.
-
-The writing ran thus, though it took all the
-three some time to make it out--
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-'To the Spanish Governor of the Island of
-St. Catherine.
-
-'Hereby I, the world-wide famous Captain
-Henry Morgan, make known that if within a few
-hours you deliver not yourself and all your men
-into my hands, I do by my messenger swear unto
-you and all those that are in your company that
-I shall most certainly put you and them all to the
-sword, without granting quarter to any.'
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-Carlo flushed red with indignation when at last
-these words were made out and translated, then
-hurried away to his father and the officers, to give
-the writing into their hands.
-
-'These words are an insult to our great country,
-my father. I hope you will give them a fitting
-answer. Such vile caitiffs deserve no pity.'
-
-'We must have two hours to deliberate on this
-paper, gentlemen,' said the Governor, uneasily; 'for
-I hear there is great panic on the island, and that
-the people are leaving their homes and flocking to
-the fortresses. If so, a worse enemy than the pirates
-may trouble us, and that will be famine. Go,
-Carlo, and tell the messengers to return to him who
-sent them, and say that my answer shall be taken to
-Henry Morgan by my own trustworthy messengers,
-but that they must be promised a safe-conduct.'
-
-Carlo had nothing to do but to obey. He found
-the man and the boy in the courtyard surrounded
-by a strong guard of Spaniards. He proudly gave
-his father's message, but, thinking of Etta's words,
-he could not help being struck with the noble
-bearing of the fair-haired youth, who appeared to
-be much disturbed by the rude looks and taunts
-of the soldiers about him, for he scarcely lifted his
-head till Carlo had done speaking, when he
-suddenly looked up at him, as if he were going to
-say something; but, evidently thinking better of it,
-he remained silent.
-
-'Marry, then, in two hours our Captain will
-expect your answer,' said the pirate, 'and it were
-best not to trifle with him, as he is sure to keep
-his word. 'Tis no time to dally.'
-
-'*Perros! nos veremos,*' exclaimed a soldier
-after Carlo had turned away in silence--which
-words mean in English, 'Dogs, we shall meet you,'
-and were accompanied by some insulting dumb
-show at the departing messengers.
-
-After this the boy went back to the council-room;
-but what was his surprise at finding it barred
-and bolted, whilst a soldier, who was guarding it,
-said respectfully that the Governor's orders were
-that no one might enter.
-
-'That does not include me,' said Carlo, angrily.
-
-'Pardon, noble Señor Carlo; the Marquis said,
-"Not even my son."'
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-.. _`CARLO REFUSED ADMISSION`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- [Illustration: *CARLO REFUSED ADMISSION* (missing from book)]
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-Carlo turned away, too indignant to say
-anything in answer; and then he went sorrowfully
-upstairs to get some comfort where he knew he should
-always find it. He told the girls what had just
-happened, adding:
-
-'It is very unjust of my father.' Then, as Felipa
-blushed with sorrow, he added: 'No, I ought not to
-say that, for I fancy he did not mean to exclude
-me, only that stupid Luis wished to show his
-importance and invented the order.'
-
-'Tell me, dear Carlo,' put in Etta, eagerly,
-'did you speak to the English boy? I saw the
-soldier escort him and his fellow down the hill; and
-how I wished I could have had a few words with him!'
-
-'What! with a pirate, Etta? But would that I
-could go into the council-room! If my father
-decides to despatch several hundred men, he must
-give me the command of at least a little band.
-You should see how well I could command.'
-
-'Your noble father only meant, Señorito, that
-you must not disturb the meeting,' said Catalina,
-joining in; 'and I know there is a door at the other
-end, which is made but of light bamboos, and you
-can hear well enough there all that goes on.' Catalina
-spoke with so much certainty that it
-seemed as if she had herself been eavesdropping.
-
-Carlo was delighted with the idea. 'Is that
-so, Catalina? The saints reward you, you dear old
-woman! I will give you a silk kerchief worked
-in gold thread the next time a merchant ship
-comes here from Panama. Ah, Etta, I am afraid
-you will never see your fair English boy again, so
-do not expect it, unless we take him prisoner; then
-I will spare him for your sake. That is a bargain.
-Now, Catalina, come and show me your secret
-way.' And delighted that he should not be quite
-excluded from hearing the plans of defence, the
-eager Carlo followed Catalina, quite believing that
-after all it was not his father but the stupid guard
-Luis who had prevented him from joining in the
-council of war. He was, however, soon to be
-undeceived.
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`TREACHERY`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER VII.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- TREACHERY.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-An hour later, when the Governor came
-out of the council-chamber and was
-entering his own private room, he
-looked ten years older. At this
-moment Carlo rushed into the room and threw
-himself at his father's feet.
-
-Don Estevan looked much surprised, and the
-papers he held in his hand shook visibly.
-
-'Father, you cannot mean it!' cried the
-Governor's only son, 'say it is not true! There is
-yet time: the messengers have not yet started. I
-beseech you think better of it. I heard everything.'
-
-'You heard everything? What do you mean,
-you insolent boy!' cried the Marquis, angrily;
-'you were not in the council-chamber. Get up,
-Carlo; what is done is done for the best.'
-
-'No, no, it cannot be for the best to betray
-this island. The stratagem you have suggested is
-unworthy of you; it cannot be true that Don
-Estevan del Campo will allow those villains to
-take this fortress without so much as a blow!'
-
-Poor Carlo was beside himself with grief; he
-had indeed heard only too much from his
-hiding-place. The Governor had entirely lost his head,
-and was unable to make up his mind to fight the
-dreaded buccaneers; and now that he had found
-out their real number, and the number of their
-ships, he could think of nothing but temporising
-with them. He had forced the council to agree to
-send two messengers to Henry Morgan with these
-terms: They were to say that, feeling himself
-quite unable to hold the island against such a
-body of desperate men as Captain Morgan had
-with him, the Marquis begged the Captain to use
-a certain stratagem of war in order to make it
-appear to the people that the place was taken in
-honest fight. Captain Morgan was, according to this
-plan, to come at night to the bridge which divided
-the two islands, and here he was to attack Fort
-St. Jerome. In the meanwhile the pirate ships were
-to approach as near as possible to Santa Teresa
-and attack it from the sea; also at the same time
-to land a body of men at a place hard by, called
-St. Matthew. Here the Governor was to be
-intercepted on his way to Fort Jerome, taken prisoner,
-and forced to give up the keys of the castles of Santa
-Teresa and St. Jerome, and the possession of
-these two strong places would virtually mean that
-of the whole island. There was to be a feint,
-much firing on both sides, but no bullets were to
-be used; moreover, they were to fire in the air, to
-make sure of no one being killed on either side.
-
-This was the shameful plan of surrender that
-Carlo had heard his father propose, and not only
-propose but enforce on the majority of the men
-composing the council; though Don Francisco de
-Paratta and a few others had firmly refused to
-give their consent to such a base affair.
-
-The Marquis also knew that Carlo, young as he
-was, was too bold and fearless ever to give in his
-obedience to this idea, and for this reason he had
-had him shut out from the deliberations. He was
-therefore all the more indignant and angry when
-Carlo declared he had heard everything, and his
-burst of indignation was terrible to witness.
-
-'You forget your position and mine,' said the
-unhappy Marquis in a passion. 'What can you
-know, Carlo, of the defences of the island? How can
-I consent to a general massacre of my garrisons,
-when by this simple means we shall avoid all loss?
-And in a few days these wild robbers will leave
-the island for other more profitable fields, and--but
-why should I explain my reasons to you? What
-business had you to be eavesdropping? Is that the
-conduct to be expected from my son?'
-
-Carlo did not seem to hear his father's personal
-abuse; his mind was bent on averting the terrible
-blot which, if this plan were carried out, must come
-on his father's name. However secret these
-negotiations might now be kept, sooner or later they
-would become known, and the name Carlo was so
-proud to bear would be for ever dishonoured.
-
-'Let me go and stop the canoe; or if it is
-gone, Andreas can easily overtake the messengers.
-Father, be angry with me, do anything; but do not
-let us sell our honour!'
-
-The Marquis was now in a worse passion than
-ever with his son who dared to speak the truth to
-him.
-
-'Carlo, you shall not speak so! you forget
-yourself. Go from my presence at once, sir, and
-consider yourself a prisoner on parole. Do not leave
-your sister's dwelling-room till I give you leave;
-and remember, if you disobey I shall have to show
-my son that he cannot break my rules with impunity.'
-
-Carlo turned away, convinced now that his father
-could only be obstinate and firm in the wrong place.
-Covering his face with his hands, the brave boy
-sobbed as if his heart would break. He had dreamt
-of honour and glorious deeds, and these dreams
-had only ended in a story of shame. Going to his
-own room, he gazed down on the glorious tropical
-gardens and woods of his beloved home, and caught
-sight of the Governor's canoe starting off with two
-men in her carrying the fatal message. The clock
-struck; the two hours allowed by the pirates were
-sped, and the Island of St. Catherine was as good as
-taken by Henry Morgan and his thousand men.
-
-How long Carlo remained sunk in deep despondency,
-with now and then interludes of sudden
-impotent rage, he did not heed. He knew that
-the sham attack would not take place till night,
-for evil deeds hate daylight, and there was a long
-time yet before sundown. But, alas! all the need
-for exertion was gone, all the motive for brave
-resistance was taken away.
-
-'I will not be included in the treaty, however,'
-he thought suddenly. 'I have spoken against it,
-and I will use my bullets and my sword as a good
-and honourable soldier should do.' Then, suddenly,
-the idea of danger for his sister and Etta entered
-his head. Tales of captivity endured by women
-and children when they fell into the pirates' hands
-crowded into his head. How could he trust his father
-now? Certainly he must be losing his mind: this was
-the only charitable way of looking at his conduct.
-If this were the case, the welfare of Felipa was his
-duty, and, slowly rising, he tried to wash away traces
-of tears which might perhaps seem unmanly to
-those who did not know the reason.
-
-When he entered the room to which he had
-been sent as a prisoner, the girls at once noticed
-the expression of his face.
-
-'Carlo, what is the matter?'
-
-'Surely all will be well now,' added Etta. 'We
-saw the canoe start with the answer. Ah, those
-robbers will understand we cannot be taken in brave
-Santa Teresa, whatever they may do.'
-
-'I should think not!' said Catalina. 'Those
-infidels don't understand that the saints protect
-us. So you heard the deliberations, Señor Carlo?'
-
-'Yes, well enough; but look, Catalina: suppose
-these pirates should get the better of us--for they
-are reported to be very strong--is there any place
-where you and the girls might hide? My father is
-so busy giving orders that he has not time to attend
-to all these matters.'
-
-'No need to prepare for the impossible,' said
-Catalina; 'José told me that if Santa Teresa were
-besieged for a year it would be of no use; we have
-fleet Indians who can pass through the forest, and
-could bring in food unseen by any horde of pirates.
-So, Señorito, do not disturb yourself about us.'
-
-'But impossible things, as we call them, do
-happen, Catalina, and it is best to be prepared.
-Well, anyhow, I shall go out to fight to-night; for
-it is then the attack is expected, and then I will
-win a right to my knighthood.'
-
-'There is the great cupboard in this chamber,'
-said Catalina, 'into which opens the secret staircase.
-Few of the men know it, but the Marquis told
-me of it. That is safe enough. If any steps are
-heard without we can easily run down the stairs,
-and a door there leads to the dungeons below.
-Never fear, Señor Carlo; old Catalina doesn't
-mean to be taken by men who would think nothing
-of murdering me unless they wanted a wife.'
-
-'Dear Catalina, you must never marry,' said
-Felipa, kissing her old nurse, 'at least not a pirate:
-I could not spare you. But do leave off talking of
-danger, Carlo, when there is none. You frighten
-us for nothing. Look how lovely the garden is
-after last night's rain: the tamarind has spread
-out all its leaves to show us it is fine again. How
-I long to go out and have a game this morning!'
-
-'And did you hear that Andreas killed a
-fer-de-lance snake this morning?' added Etta. 'He
-says it is bad luck and an evil sign, but I told him
-it was a good thing to kill those wicked, poisonous
-creatures.'
-
-Carlo hardly listened to these remarks; he was
-thinking only of the coming calamity; and though
-the affection of two girls comforted him he could
-not join in their laughter. They no longer feared
-the terrible pirates, and were anxious now to be
-allowed to go out into the wood. But as the only
-gate Santa Teresa possessed was closed, with strict
-orders to let no one in or out, they had to content
-themselves with sitting at the open window whilst
-the sounds of soldiers' clashing armour and noisy
-drill, mingled with loud orders shouted hither and
-thither, only increased their excitement.
-
-Then the sun went down on the beautiful
-island and darkness fell on the exquisite
-landscape. Carlo dared not leave the room till he
-knew his father had gone forth with his band of
-men towards St. Matthew, which was but a little
-further down the coast, and was not difficult of
-access by the sea-shore.
-
-As time went on the confusion increased, and
-no one seemed inclined to go to bed. At last the
-Marquis collected his men; and though Carlo could
-not see much from his position, yet as he looked
-down from the window and saw the torch-light fall
-on his father's face he would hardly have known
-him, so changed was he. Carlo knew now that
-there was no help for it; he must only be thankful
-that he had heard of the treachery and that he was
-not himself starting out on this mock expedition
-as he might otherwise have been doing. This fact
-surprised the girls much.
-
-'I cannot think why you are not going, Carlo,'
-said Felipa, very much disappointed at all the fine
-words of her brother ending in his merely gazing
-out of the window; 'and is it not strange father
-has not come to wish us good-bye? Catalina says
-he told her it was not worth while, as he would be
-home again so soon. But he might have let you
-go with him if there is so little danger.'
-
-Etta said nothing, but Carlo saw that she also
-was much disappointed. Yet, for all this, he dared
-not betray his father: it was better to be thought
-a coward himself than to bring blame and discredit
-on the famous old name of Del Campo.
-
-So the boy walked up and down the room,
-whilst the girls told each other stories in order to
-keep awake--so anxious were they to hear the
-first news of the defeat of the rebels. Then after
-a time the guns of St. Jerome were heard booming
-through the night air, and all rushed to the
-window--to see, however, nothing but the darkness. At the
-same moment there was a whisper heard through
-the keyhole, and they recognised the voice of Andreas.
-
-'Señorito Carlo, are you here? Come quickly,
-in the name of Heaven and Santa Teresa! Do not
-be afraid; it is I--Andreas. Open the door.'
-
-Carlo rushed to the door and seized the faithful
-Indian's hand.
-
-'What is it, Andreas? Speak quickly.'
-
-'There must be some treachery, Señor, for a
-party of pirates are climbing up towards the castle,
-and the guards below have disappeared from the
-walls.'
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`A BRAVE DEFENCE`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER VIII.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- A BRAVE DEFENCE.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-When Carlo rushed away, an impulse to
-follow and see what was taking place
-seized the three whom he left behind.
-A strange silence had come over the
-castle. The moon was just rising and throwing a
-faint light over the forest; but nothing could be
-seen save the tall palms and the luxurious
-undergrowth in dark masses against the clear sky.
-
-'Señorita, come here!' cried Catalina, hurrying
-to another window which looked on the sea side of
-the castle; and as the two girls hurried after her
-they beheld the bay below; not silent and calm as
-usual, but with the pirate boats busily plying
-backwards and forwards towards the shore lower down.
-
-'What does all this mean, Catalina?' said
-Felipa, clinging to her nurse. 'Where is my
-father? And what did Andreas mean by coming to
-fetch Carlo? What shall we do? Etta, are you
-frightened?'
-
-Etta was braver than Felipa, but at the same
-time she understood better the dangers of this
-attack; and yet she had heard so decidedly, and felt
-sure Carlo also believed, that Santa Teresa was too
-well fortified to be taken by assault, that this sudden
-call from Andreas was a mystery to her.
-
-'I don't understand what can be the matter.
-Catalina, let me run down to the courtyard: I will
-be but a few minutes, and I shall find some one there
-who will tell me. Pedro is always kind to me, and
-he will tell me all he knows.'
-
-'But the pirates,' cried Felipa--'if they come
-they will kill you! No, no; stay with us. Come
-away, Catalina, and let us bolt ourselves into our
-room.' And the girl tried to drag her nurse away
-from the window.
-
-But Etta smiled.
-
-'I tell you, Felipa, the pirates cannot come into
-this place. It would take months to force a passage
-through the walls, and the gate is too well guarded.
-I will run down and ask Pedro what Andreas meant.'
-
-Catalina would have liked to go herself, but did
-not know how to leave Felipa, who was sobbing
-from fear of she knew not what horrors. Yet poor
-Felipa, as she crouched near the window with her
-hand in that of her nurse, could not help admiring
-the courage of her English playfellow.
-
-'Carlo admires Etta because she is brave,' she
-said to Catalina; 'she never thinks of danger for
-herself. I would so gladly not be afraid, but I
-cannot help it.'
-
-'Never mind about being brave, my darling;
-that is for men and not for girls. What would the
-men have to do if we women were as bold as they
-are themselves? You see, the Señora Etta is English,
-and the people in her country are not as civilised as
-we Spanish folk. Dry your beautiful eyes, dearie,
-and don't be frightened. The noble Marquis will
-soon be returning, and then we shall find out that
-he has trapped all these wicked robbers, and that
-not one remains alive.'
-
-Thus comforting her much-loved young lady,
-Catalina soon forgot her own fears till quite five
-minutes had passed away without the reappearance
-of Etta. What could the girl be doing? And why
-was there suddenly such a silence about the place?
-Catalina would not have been so brave had she
-known the truth or witnessed the assault that was
-now taking place at the gate of the outer wall.
-
-When Etta ran down she was surprised to
-notice how few of the garrison could be seen. The
-loopholes from which poisoned arrows could be
-shot were deserted; the entrance to the council-room
-and the arsenal also remained unguarded. She
-could make nothing of it, so she had wrapped her
-dark mantle round her head and shoulders hoping
-to escape notice; but, to her great astonishment,
-none of the usual servants seemed to be about.
-She now hastened to the door that led into the
-courtyard. It stood open and the soft night air
-blew in.
-
-'Pedro!' she called softly; but no porter answered.
-Even the Indian slaves were gone. Etta's curiosity
-was now fairly awakened. It could not be possible
-that the castle was deserted, and that she and Felipa
-were forgotten by every one!
-
-'Carlo!' she cried louder, 'Andreas! Pedro!' No
-answer, and the girl stepped out into the courtyard
-and walked a little way down to the second
-gate. Then sounds indeed reached her ears: the
-clashing of swords, the loud tones of angry voices,
-the waving of torches, and the shrill whoops of
-Indians, mingled with many fierce English oaths.
-
-There was no longer any doubt: the enemy, by
-some means, which of course Etta could not understand,
-had forced the passage leading over the ditch
-to the great gate, and were now between that and
-the inner courtyard, where, as Etta knew, no one
-remained to defend the gate of the castle itself.
-Her first impulse was to rush back and fly to some
-safer place; but so frightened was she that she felt
-hardly able to move; and at that moment, gazing at
-the small mass of struggling beings, she saw Carlo
-at the head of some dozen Indians barring the way
-before a far larger number of the enemy. This
-glance showed her also the form of the English
-lad; so much slighter and so much fairer of face
-than any about him that she could not mistake
-him as the torchlight fell on him.
-
-'Carlo! Carlo!' she cried in her agony. No
-sound came back in answer but the yells and cries
-of the two parties; and with the instinct of helping
-her dear Felipa she at last found strength to turn
-away from the terrible sight and to fly back to the
-gate and so up the stairs, and as she ran she called
-out, 'Shut the gates: they are coming! They will
-soon overpower our people. Quick, make haste!
-Pedro, where are you?'
-
-And still repeating these words, Etta dashed
-into the dwelling-room, looking so excited and pale
-that there was no longer any doubt that the worst
-had happened, as she exclaimed, 'We are lost! The
-castle will be taken! What can we do?'
-
-Nor had brave Etta been mistaken. When
-Andreas had come to fetch Carlo, the faithful
-Indian had just discovered that the path known
-only to Don Estevan del Campo and a few of those
-in authority had been betrayed. Before he could
-do more than collect the few slaves and soldiers
-left in the castle, and station them at the entrance
-to the weakest portion of the wall, fetch Carlo as
-described, and with the mere handful of men then
-available make a brave stand, the chief gate of the
-castle was really taken. Andreas little knew that all
-his valour was useless; but it was otherwise with
-Carlo, who, as he threw himself into the *mêlée*, was
-conscious that no bravery could really be of any
-use. Indeed the attack on this side was but a
-ruse, for another body of men were quietly making
-their way to the principal gate of Santa Teresa,
-and were now being let in by one of the Marquis's
-officers, whom he had easily persuaded that a
-desperate encounter with these pirates would only
-result in their all being taken prisoners, and most
-likely killed.
-
-It was Andreas who suddenly discovered the
-treachery, and, not understanding the real meaning
-of the extraordinary events which were taking
-place, now shouted to those about him that there
-was yet time to stop the entrance of those rascals.
-
-In this rush Carlo was accidentally thrown
-down, and in falling his knee struck against a
-rocky projection, so that for a few seconds he lost
-consciousness. When he came to himself he tried
-hard to struggle to his feet, for he beheld at this
-moment a boy suddenly spring over the wall and
-come hastily towards him. Carlo heard the
-confused noise of the assailants and defenders, who
-had passed on and left him, so that he now found
-himself alone with a lad of about his own age,
-whom he had previously seen, and who was
-doubtless Henry Morgan's son.
-
-Clenching his teeth, and grasping his sword, he
-tottered to his feet.
-
-'Rascal! infidel! son of a pirate!' cried poor
-Carlo, not caring what names he bestowed. 'You
-may kill me, but I will sell my life dearly. You at
-least shall not come further. Go and tell your father
-that Carlo del Campo will not be a party to any
-treachery.'
-
-Carlo threw himself on the tall fair Englishman,
-and would have dealt him a blow which would have
-been serious had not his injured knee proved at
-this minute so painful that he missed his aim,
-and once again fell on the ground. In a moment
-the supposed son of Henry Morgan was kneeling
-by the brave Spanish lad.
-
-'Hold, sir,' he said, surprised at some English
-words that had fallen from Carlo, 'you are
-mistaking me. I am no pirate, and will never
-draw my sword in such an unlawful business. I
-am but a poor prisoner, though kindly treated, and
-my name is Harry Fenn.'
-
-As he said these words Harry stooped down to
-pick up Carlo's sword, which had rolled away from
-him as he fell, and gently gave it back to the brave
-youth, who once more struggled to his feet, still
-blind with rage and disappointment.
-
-'How can I believe you? That is a false story,
-some new treachery; no one who is with these
-robbers can be trusted. Stand to it, fellow, or
-yield to mercy; for you go no farther!' And,
-regardless of Harry's explanation, Carlo once again
-prepared to attack his enemy; but he was made more
-furious at seeing that his supposed foe was not even
-trying to defend himself.
-
-'Stand to it, base scoundrel, and draw your
-sword if you have any spirit at all; or, by St. Teresa,
-I must fall upon you!'
-
-Still Harry Fenn remained motionless. 'If you
-will not believe, it is no fault of mine. I have
-vowed to use no weapon during my captivity--at
-least in an unlawful cause.'
-
-Carlo dropped his hands, for this speech spoke
-more than weapons. A true knight could not fall
-upon an unresisting foe; but it was a deep
-disappointment to find Harry was no pirate.
-
-'But, indeed, Señor, let me help you back to
-the castle. Captain Morgan's men are by no
-means particular, and might unintentionally hurt
-you, though they have sworn to use no violence nor
-to fire at any one this night.'
-
-'It is true, then, and you know it?' said Carlo,
-blushing with shame. 'This attack is all a farce,
-and our men are even now letting the pirates into
-the castle--is it not so? Tell me all you know.'
-
-'It was the suggestion of the Governor; but I
-pray you make haste from hence, or you may
-repent of it,' said Harry, wishing the young
-Spaniard would retreat into the castle now, for he
-certainly was in considerable danger.
-
-'And I am Don Estevan del Campo's son,'
-murmured the unhappy boy. 'Is it true that you
-are none of them? If so, I will accept your help;
-for my knee hurts me much, and I must get back to
-my sister.'
-
-With some unwillingness Carlo put his hand
-on Harry Fenn's arm, and in spite of what had
-just taken place a sudden wave of sympathy seemed
-to flow between them; each felt that among the
-crowd of fierce men they seemed to be both of
-them sadly out of place.
-
-The central gate was now deserted; the pirates
-and the defenders had both disappeared; so the
-two lads found no difficulty in entering unperceived
-by a side door into the castle itself.
-
-'You are witness that I have never surrendered,'
-repeated Carlo several times, afraid, in spite of
-Harry's kindness, that a trap was being laid for him.
-
-Harry almost smiled as he answered in the
-affirmative, adding:
-
-'But how is it you talk English, Señor?
-Yesterday I could not make myself understood; and
-had I known you understood my language I would
-have spoken out.'
-
-'My father wished us to learn it. Here, this
-way; follow me, sir. I do not know what has
-happened to the garrison, but I fear I cannot fight
-with this horrid pain. Our men have outrun their
-fears.'
-
-The two now crept silently up a back way,
-avoiding the entrance-hall, where, from the sounds
-that rose toward them, it was not difficult to
-guess that the pirates were intent on refreshing
-themselves with what good things Santa Teresa
-could provide, and making up for the privations
-of the previous day and night by a carousal.
-
-When Carlo limped up to his sister's door, he
-found it strongly barricaded within, and it was
-some time before Catalina could be persuaded to
-open it and admit him. Then her exclamations
-knew no end.
-
-'Señorito! where have you been? And who
-is this young serpent?' she added, looking at
-Harry; but as she spoke in Spanish he did not
-understand her, though he noticed her look of
-disgust.
-
-'Hush! Catalina, where is my sister? and Etta?
-Have you heard no news? Everything is lost, and
-this place is in the hands of the pirates. This
-youth was the same one Etta saw. He is a prisoner,
-he says. If so, he is a fellow-sufferer; and just now
-he behaved with much courtesy.'
-
-'Come in, then, and let me bar the door once more.
-Oh, the noise those wretches have been making.
-It is as if all the demons were walking below.
-My poor Felipa is well hidden in that cupboard,
-and I made Etta go there too. Alas, alas, that I
-should be alive to hear such things! But, anyhow,
-they must kill me before they touch her. My *cara*
-Felipa! I believe she will die of fright.'
-
-Harry Fenn stood by during this conversation,
-much perplexed at all he saw; for he did not
-understand that the Marquis had not acquainted his
-son with his treacherous surrender. His surprise
-was still greater when in another moment Etta,
-hearing Carlo's voice, appeared out of the dark
-cupboard where Catalina had insisted Felipa and
-Etta should hide, when on the return of the latter
-she had understood that something extraordinary
-was happening.
-
-'Carlo, tell us--but, oh, who is this? The
-English lad? Are you Captain Morgan's son?
-No--it cannot be; for then you would not be here,
-nor would you look so kind.'
-
-'You were right, Etta; this English lad is a
-prisoner, and has kindly helped me up here;
-otherwise I should be still lying under the wall,
-or perhaps I might now be killed by those
-wretches.'
-
-Harry Fenn was delighted at finding himself
-face to face with a countrywoman of his own. It
-seemed almost a miracle to be in a room again--a
-room which spoke of civilised and refined life, and
-which contained an English girl; for there was no
-mistaking her nationality, though she immediately
-informed him of the fact.
-
-'I knew you were no robber when I saw you
-come to the castle. I am an English girl, and a
-prisoner here.'
-
-'Etta, what foolish talk!' said Carlo. 'As long
-as I am here you are no prisoner.'
-
-'But tell me how you came to be with that
-dreadful Henry Morgan,' cried Etta, much excited.
-
-By this time Catalina, having gathered that
-Harry was no enemy, thought that he might be
-hungry, and brought out some bread from a
-cupboard; and the poor fellow fell upon it with such
-evident hunger that Etta's heart was touched, and
-she continued to talk to Harry.
-
-'Those wicked men have, then, starved you?'
-she asked, as Carlo, having had his knee bandaged
-by Catalina, went into the large cupboard and tried
-to persuade Felipa to come out, for at present there
-was no visible danger.
-
-'Not more than were all the others; the men all
-share and share alike; and when we were on the
-marsh, with the rain falling upon us, we were in
-such a bad plight that the men began to grumble
-finely at Captain Morgan; indeed, if a body of
-Spaniards had appeared at that moment we
-should never have reached this place. I can tell
-you Captain Morgan was glad enough to get the
-Governor's letter; but he laughed in his sleeve when
-he found his threats had been taken in earnest, for
-they were but bravado.'
-
-'Oh, hush! don't tell Carlo all this,' said Etta
-quickly; 'he is so brave and good, and wished to
-go out this morning against them. But the place
-must have been betrayed, I think, for all said it
-could never be taken.'
-
-'Ay, so it was, young mistress; and, now I see
-it contained such brave people and one of my own
-countrywomen, I am sorry enough; but before, I was
-right glad, for we suffered a great deal. Yet I ought
-to be used to suffering, for all this is nothing to the
-grief I had when these men kidnapped me from my
-home. And never a word have I been able to send
-to my parents that I am alive and well; for they
-take care I get no chance to speak with any passing ship.'
-
-'But mine were killed,' said Etta, feeling as if
-she had known Harry a long time. 'It is five years
-since I have been a captive here. You do not know,
-I dare say, that this island was in the hands of
-pirates at that time. There was a Sieur Simon ruling
-it for the pirate Mansfelt, who was, they said, never
-happy except at sea. But the Governor of Costa Rica
-determined to take back Saint Catherine, and when
-the pirates heard this they sent to ask help of the
-English Governor of Jamaica, for he was said to
-sympathise with them. He refused, and pretended
-to have nothing to say to them; but he hired a
-merchant ship, as if for honest trade, and fitted it with
-stores, and put in some of the pirates that found
-shelter in Jamaica, and gave them and the captain
-private instructions. My father, who was an honest
-merchant, never knew of this; and, wishing to take
-my mother and me to Costa Rica, took passage in
-this same ship, but on nearing the island the Sieur
-Simon came aboard and begged the crew to sail
-into harbour. Yet it was all a wicked device, for
-the Spaniards had already possession of the island;
-so that when we landed we were all seized and
-taken prisoners. My father and some of the others
-defended themselves bravely, but they were
-outnumbered before our eyes, and were killed. Mother
-and myself were brought to one of Don Estevan
-del Campo's fortresses, and she died of grief there
-after some weeks. Then the Marquis said I was to
-be treated well, for he wished me to become the
-playfellow to his daughter and son who were coming
-here shortly, so that I might teach them English.
-Before her death my mother gave me letters and
-directions, telling me if ever I could get back to my
-relations in England I was to do so. But how can
-I? We are indeed both alike prisoners, and I see no
-chance of getting away.'
-
-Harry listened to Etta's story with much
-surprise; it made him see that after all he was not the
-only English sufferer even in these distant islands,
-and that others had had a much worse fate--for he
-had been well treated.
-
-'But they are kind to you?' he asked, glancing
-at Carlo, who, having persuaded Felipa to come
-forth from her hiding-place, was sitting with his
-arm round her near the window and telling her
-of his meeting with the English youth.
-
-'Kind? Ah, yes. I love Carlo and Felipa
-dearly, and old Catalina is not harsh; but I am
-afraid of the Marquis; I can never love him, for
-he looks upon me as one of his slaves.'
-
-'He must be a false Spaniard, a feeble scoundrel,
-and no true gentleman,' said Harry decidedly,
-and then in a few words he told his own story, and
-how, in spite of being such a favourite with Captain
-Morgan, he had sometimes much to bear from the
-rough men. At this moment, however, Carlo jumped
-up and exclaimed:
-
-'There is my father returning, and, gracious
-saints, he is a prisoner!'
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`IMPRISONED`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER IX.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- IMPRISONED.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-Before anything further could be said on
-this matter Pedro's voice was heard at
-the door, and when Catalina was assured
-that he was alone she let him in, being
-herself very curious to know the ins and outs of the
-occupation, and, as the Marquis had really returned,
-what was expected of her and her charges.
-
-'Thank heaven, Pedro, that you have come up!
-Tell me what all this means, and are we to be
-roasted and eaten alive by those cannibals, who are,
-I suppose, gobbling up all our stores?'
-
-Pedro's face was doleful in the extreme, and not
-at all reassuring.
-
-'In truth, Captain Morgan is our master now;
-and so I suppose we must make the best we can
-of the matter. He is very angry at the death of
-one or two of his men, and says we have broken our
-engagement. As if one could make engagements with
-such paltry ragamuffins! It seems we were never
-meant to resist, but I said it was by your orders,
-Señorito. You remember that you would insist on
-taking us out to the walls, though our orders were to
-do nothing. Anyhow, Captain Morgan wishes you,
-Señor Carlo, to come and deliver up your sword to
-him at once. He was going to send some of his
-drunken fellows to fetch you; but, thinking of the
-ladies, I interfered, and I said you would prefer to
-come of your own accord.'
-
-'Let me come with you, Señorito,' said Harry
-Fenn, thinking that he could perhaps soften the
-Captain's wrath, which, he had learnt by this time,
-was not to be despised, especially by a Spaniard,
-who would find but little favour in the English
-pirate's eyes.
-
-Felipa, pale and utterly miserable, tried to
-dissuade her brother from going down below, but in
-vain. Carlo did not know the meaning of the word
-fear.
-
-'No, no, dear Felipa; that would be the action
-of a coward. Besides, you might suffer for my
-refusal. This captain shall see that I am not
-afraid of his threats.'
-
-'You will petition Captain Morgan for Carlo,
-will you not?' asked Etta, turning towards Harry.
-'How is it that he lets you have your own way?'
-
-'I know not. He took a fancy for me and
-calls me his godson, which is a title very little
-fitting. I often think that if my poor father could
-see me, and kind Mr. Aylett, they would indeed be
-astonished; and yet I have tried to do my duty
-and not forget my God and country in the midst of
-this godless crew. But trust me, even if I did not
-like this bold young Spaniard, I would do my best
-for your sake, young Mistress Allison. You should
-have seen how he scorned to budge a step.'
-
-Etta smiled at these words, and then said
-impulsively, 'Call me Etta, and I will call you Harry
-Fenn. Seeing you is almost as if I were at home
-among my relations, who, my mother used to say,
-would love me dearly and would not let me want.'
-
-But there was no time now for more words,
-even though the young people seemed to have
-much to say to each other. Carlo followed Pedro
-and Harry, feeling altogether angry and ashamed
-of his position. He was, too, a little jealous of
-Etta's evident happiness at talking to one from
-her own country; and besides, he could not bear to
-feel that he was himself virtually a prisoner in his
-own house; and yet, thought he, 'I have never
-delivered up my sword, and I have never owned
-myself defeated.' As for his father, he could not
-bear to think of him as a traitor to his king and
-country.
-
-When they entered the hall Carlo was dismayed
-by a sight such as he had never expected
-to see in Santa Teresa.
-
-Some long wooden planks had been laid on
-trestles and placed in two rows down the hall, and
-round them sat some forty or fifty of Captain
-Morgan's chief men eating and drinking voraciously.
-A dozen or more of the negro slaves waited on
-them, filling up their goblets when empty--a duty
-which was by no means light or infrequent. At a
-smaller table at the upper end of the hall Captain
-Henry Morgan was also enjoying what he
-considered a well-earned breakfast; for daylight was
-beginning to flood the hall, showing that the long
-night of anxiety was over. In the sky
-beautiful clouds tinged with every conceivable shade of
-crimson and gold were making lovely backgrounds
-for the tall palm-trees and the other forest giants;
-but of all this beauty the soldiers and the
-buccaneers thought nothing. Henry Morgan was
-anxious, now that he was in possession of the
-island, to secure it permanently for future need,
-and, as soon as he could, to send on some of his
-men in search of still more booty, the thirst for gold
-in these pirates being quite unquenchable. After a
-moment's pause Carlo walked proudly up to the
-top table, bent on showing no fear; yet what
-made the deepest impression upon him was, not
-the sight of the much-dreaded sea-robber, but that
-of his own father seated opposite to the foe, and
-being treated apparently, not as a prisoner, but as a
-friend, by the man whom Carlo hated as being both
-a buccaneer and an Englishman.
-
-The poor Marquis, however, could not be said
-to look happy; he carefully turned away from
-Morgan, and now and then rose hastily from his
-chair and paced nervously up and down the small
-platform, muttering audibly, 'I did it for the
-best. There has been no massacre of the people.
-Who will dare to blame me? How could I do
-otherwise? Why has Don Francisco left me, and
-where is my son?'
-
-'Marry! here comes the culprit!' cried Captain
-Morgan, seeing Carlo approaching. 'Señor Governor,
-I suppose this young sprig is your son, and the one
-who led the assault before sunrise? The young
-scoundrel has a puissant sword and despiteful ire.'
-
-'My son knew nothing of our plans,' said the
-poor Marquis, who in spite of his own conduct
-could not help feeling proud of his boy.
-
-'Then, i'fecks, you should have told him.
-Some one is answerable for the death of two of my
-men and the wounds of several more.'
-
-'Here, young sirrah! What's your name, and
-what do you mean by having gone out to prevent
-the entrance of my skirmishing party, when they
-held a pass from the Governor himself? Speak out,
-silly coxcomb, and tell me who set your thoughts
-agog in this manner.'
-
-'I knew nothing of the pass,' said Carlo
-haughtily, 'and I was bound to fight in the defence
-of the castle. We give no quarter to our foes.'
-
-'Marry! proud as a strutting peacock, eh? Ah,
-well, we'll soon teach you better. How now,
-Harry--what hast thou been about? Thou shouldst
-have taught this young pate more wisdom. I'll
-have no jesting from such a stripling.'
-
-Harry did not answer, thinking silence the
-wisest course. The curious fancy which Captain
-Morgan had taken for the kidnapped lad was
-apparently without rhyme or reason; for Harry,
-though respectful enough, had never yet been made
-to act against his will and his conscience; and
-when some of the men would have liked to use
-brute force, and shake what they called the young
-fool's stubborn will out of him, Captain Morgan
-always interfered; he would not have the lad
-touched, he said, and whoever did it would have to
-answer personally to him.
-
-Carlo, the Spaniard, however, touched no
-chord of sympathy in the Captain's breast. He
-heartily despised the Governor, who had been such
-a weak tool in his hands, and was rather glad to
-punish him through his son, as he had given a
-sort of promise that his person would be safe from
-insults.
-
-'Ignorance is a very convenient excuse, young
-Señor. By my faith, you are answerable for the
-death of two of my men, and should by rights be
-hanged on one of your own bananas; but, considering
-your youth, I will merely imprison you in your
-own castle. Deliver up your sword to me,
-sirrah! and, marry, you may thank me for dealing so
-leniently with you; 'tis more than you deserve.'
-
-Henry Morgan spoke fluent Spanish, having
-had to mix much with the various traders of the
-West Indies. Harry Fenn, who could not well
-understand the language, though he could see the
-angry frown on the Captain's face, looked from the
-latter to Carlo, wondering what was being said.
-Then he suddenly saw the young Spaniard angrily
-lift his head and clasp his right hand upon the hilt
-of his sword as he exclaimed:
-
-'I did but my duty, Señor Captain, and I will
-never deliver my sword to any man, least of all to
-such rascals as you are.'
-
-'Carlo, it is best to obey; pray do not anger the
-Captain,' called out his father anxiously. 'Silly
-boy! what can you do against all these men? If you
-persist you must abide by the consequences.'
-
-At these words Carlo hung his head, but he
-did not answer, nor did he look at all as if he
-meant to give way; so that now Harry Fenn clearly
-understood what was taking place, and secretly
-much admired the Spanish boy; but he knew only
-too well that in the end he would have to yield.
-As well try to bend a full-grown oak as turn the
-iron will of Henry Morgan.
-
-'And what good will that toy blade do for you?'
-asked the pirate captain, laughing scornfully; and
-when he laughed he was more to be dreaded than
-when he swore. 'It is no tried steel, young
-jackanapes, but a somewhat spick-and-span new
-plaything.'
-
-'I demand a free pass for myself, for my father,
-and the women in this house,' said Carlo, not
-daunted, but flushing with anger; 'for it is a shame
-to remain under the same roof with such as you.'
-
-'A shame! Come, enough of thy vapouring
-and huffing! We'll see whose shame it will be.
-Here, Cross, Simon, Watkins: seize that young
-scorpion and fling him into the dungeons here; for
-I guess there are some down below in which brave
-Englishmen have before now groaned away their
-lives. "A tooth for a tooth" is no bad saying, and
-in the dark thou mayest learn that "haste makes
-waste."'
-
-'Prithee, Captain,' said Harry, rushing between
-Carlo and the advancing men, 'spare this young
-Spaniard: he was as brave as a lion under the
-walls, and bravery ought to find favour with
-you--he rallied a mere handful of men when there was
-no hope for him.'
-
-'Pshaw, Harry! away, boy, and mind thine own
-business. I hear there are girls here, and that one
-is an English prisoner or slave: go and tell them
-to come here--that is work more befitting
-thee--and leave this boy alone.'
-
-.. _`CARLO BEFORE CAPTAIN MORGAN`:
-
-.. figure:: images/img-104.jpg
- :align: center
- :alt: CARLO BEFORE CAPTAIN MORGAN.
-
- *CARLO BEFORE CAPTAIN MORGAN*.
-
-
-In a moment Carlo was seized by the three
-strong, lusty men; his sword was wrenched from
-him; and with two long Spanish scarves his arms
-were bound tightly behind him, and in this helpless
-state he was dragged from the hall; whilst the
-Marquis, rising to his feet, protested in vain against
-the outrage to his son. The truth was that Captain
-Morgan wished to make an example of some one,
-and Carlo, being the Governor's son, would satisfy
-any murmurs his men might be inclined to raise at
-the death of their comrades.
-
-All was now noise and confusion, for the men
-began loudly to make all kinds of requests to the
-Captain; and, seeing nothing would be got out
-of them in the way of going to seek for cattle
-and provisions in the island till they had finished
-their feast, Captain Morgan (who was a very
-abstemious man himself) left the hall, begging the
-Marquis somewhat roughly to show him over the
-place and to give him all the keys of the stores.
-Harry Fenn was also commanded to be of the
-company, which request he was glad enough to
-comply with, so as to get away from the sight of
-the carouse and the sound of the rude jokes and
-laughter.
-
-In the meanwhile Carlo, struggling bravely to
-the last against his fate, and angry and indignant
-at his treatment, was carried down to the dungeon
-below, old Pedro being forced to show the way.
-Presently, after passing through dark passages, the
-porter opened the door of a cell-like chamber
-where no light was visible, and which looked most
-unfit for a living being, much less for the delicately
-nurtured Carlo.
-
-'This is the only dungeon I know of,' grumbled
-Pedro; 'and many a pirate has made acquaintance
-with it,' he added in a low voice. 'Would that I
-could lock up many more!'
-
-'I fancy this will be good enough,' said Simon
-in a French accent. 'Here, fellow, give me the key
-and let me lock it myself; there's no treachery
-these Spaniards are not equal to. Bum! that
-will do; the silly boy is safe enough.'
-
-'Take it, then,' growled Pedro, 'it locks well
-enough;' but as he delivered up the key he thought
-with a smile on his face, 'but there's sometimes
-more doors than one even in a dungeon.'
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`A FELLOW-COUNTRYMAN`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER X.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- A FELLOW-COUNTRYMAN.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-The Indian slaves, who had been scattered
-like thistle-down in a wind during this
-memorable night, now began to creep
-back to their various stations and
-occupations at Santa Teresa; and from them poor
-Catalina learnt, with more or less exaggeration, all
-that had taken place during the memorable night,
-and that it was the Marquis himself who had
-really betrayed them into the enemy's hands.
-
-The faithful servant would not abuse her master;
-but, taking Felipa's head in her arms, she sobbed
-over her as if this shower of tears would make
-matters better; at the same time pouring out all
-her information, which was no comfort to the poor
-girl. Etta meanwhile stood by, pale and calm,
-quickly trying to form some plan which would
-comfort gentle Felipa.
-
-But when all at once the bad news reached
-them that Carlo had been thrown into a dungeon,
-and that the pirates had the keys, and, further, that
-Captain Morgan was on his way to pay the young
-ladies a visit, Etta could not help feeling afraid,
-though she made up her mind that she would not
-show it. She felt very proud of Carlo, and was
-somewhat comforted by the idea that kind Harry
-Fenn would help him if he possibly could.
-
-Etta possessed one of those natures which
-troubles only strengthen. Her captivity, kind
-though it had proved for her, had not made her
-forget her religion and her country; yet now she was
-anxious to do her utmost to return gentle, timid
-Felipa's love; so she did her best to cheer her with
-hopeful words, and not to give way herself to fear.
-
-'Do not be afraid, Felipa darling. Captain
-Morgan cannot eat us, you know, and he will not
-dare to do us any bodily harm, for your father, the
-Marquis, is still a free man. Besides, the pirates
-want food, Pedro says, and when they have that
-they will most likely go away. Why could we not
-send Andreas to warn your uncle of this assault?
-He is a good man, and would send us help.'
-
-'Well, Señorita, that is a good idea, which never
-entered my head,' cried Catalina; 'but where, in the
-name of all the saints, shall we find Andreas? The
-Indians are terribly afraid of the pirates, and are
-trying to hide in the woods; for I have heard they
-were very cruel to them the last time they were
-here.'
-
-'You know, Felipa, that Carlo has taught me
-the peculiar whistle which will bring Andreas to
-the foot of the south window,' said Etta. 'If he is
-still in the neighbourhood he will hear it, and he
-would take his canoe to the mainland and warn
-your uncle, the Governor of Chagres--I am sure he
-would.'
-
-'But how could he leave his own castle?'
-answered Felipa. 'Dear Etta, you are so hopeful
-and clever! If this could really come to pass!
-Poor father would be glad, I am sure; for he must
-already be sorry all these horrid men are in our
-hall. Yet he did it for the best.'
-
-This talk was now interrupted by the tread of
-footsteps without. The girls had not been to bed,
-and were still in the sitting-room. Felipa turned
-pale, and tremblingly clung to Catalina till she
-recognised her father's voice in the passage, though
-the tones were sadly changed.
-
-The sun this morning shone gloriously in upon
-the frightened group as the unhappy Marquis and
-Captain Morgan entered. Felipa at once ran up
-to her father and put her hand into his, asking in
-this mute way for his protection; but Etta, who
-was never at her ease with the Spanish Governor,
-stood alone by the window. Yet, in spite of her
-inward fears, she could not help feeling some
-curiosity at the sight of the dreaded pirate about
-whom she had heard so much.
-
-After all, the buccaneer was not as dreadful
-as she had expected; and, even if his appearance
-were somewhat strange, yet Etta felt she was
-in the presence of one of her own countrymen;
-and her fears were further dispelled by the sight
-of her new friend, Harry Fenn, close behind the
-Captain. As for Catalina, she turned her face to
-the wall and audibly muttered her prayers, or
-perhaps they were curses, on the intruder.
-
-'This, Captain, is my daughter,' said the
-Marquis, speaking in a very nervous manner, 'and this
-other maiden is the English girl I mentioned. Her
-father was an English merchant, and was killed
-here in fair fight; she will tell you she has been
-very kindly treated.'
-
-'Thou canst speak thine own tongue, I hope?'
-said Captain Morgan; 'if so, tell me thy name,
-little countrywoman. I trust thou hast not
-altogether forgotten the speech of merrie England.'
-
-'My name is Henrietta Allison, and my mother
-told me our family was from Kent; but oh, Sir
-Captain, will you release Carlo? Do not take his
-words amiss, for he is as brave as any Englishman,
-and I should be loth that my countrymen did
-him any harm.' Etta spoke with vehemence; her
-love for Carlo made her bold, and she altogether
-forgot her fears.
-
-Captain Morgan frowned a little as he said,
-'Marry! An overbold English girl, I see. That
-young ragamuffin has only got his deserts, for it
-always goes ill with a son who does not follow his
-father's footsteps. But I like a wench that is
-fearless. Speak up, girl, and tell me if thou hast any
-other boon to ask.'
-
-'If you will not grant me this one, I will have
-no other,' replied Etta, her flashing eyes saying
-far more than mere words.
-
-'Marry! That is showing a fine spirit! Nay,
-nay, Mistress Henrietta Allison, keep your angry
-looks for those who will be distressed by them.
-Eh, Harry, hast made friends with your countrywoman?
-Stay here, boy, and learn the courtly
-manners of the Spaniards, which, by my troth, our
-rough fellows sadly lack. Now, please you, Señor,
-we will finish our inspection of the castle; for as
-soon as my men have become rational creatures
-again we must proceed to business. I fear I must
-disarm all the inhabitants, and for mere form's
-sake I shall need to examine a few prisoners. I
-must find, moreover, several bold spirits who will
-faithfully show me the way to Panama; for I've
-sworn to take that city, and "St. Catherine" shall
-serve as the war-cry of Morgan's men. Adieu,
-fair maids; and do not distress yourselves about
-your companion; a few days on bread and water
-will kill no lusty knight who has been routed in
-battle.'
-
-So saying, he led the way out, and intimated
-with a wave of the hand that the Marquis was to
-be his guide. Don Estevan del Campo staggered
-out, feeling now, at last, that he had indeed made
-a mistake. Rather would he have perished sword
-in hand than have heard that the inhabitants
-were to be made prisoners, and examined, most
-likely, under torture. His peace had, indeed, been
-bought dearly!
-
-'Do not be unhappy about your brother,' said
-Harry kindly, approaching Felipa; 'he will be safe
-enough so long as the Captain is within this place,
-and so long, too, as he bears his captivity patiently.
-That is Captain Morgan's way; he cannot bear to
-be thwarted; yet I have known him do kind deeds
-when he was in the humour for it.'
-
-'But I have a plan, bold Harry Fenn,' said Etta,
-now all eagerness to carry out her ideas, 'only--may
-we trust you? You will not betray us.'
-
-'You forget what I have told you. I take no
-part in the affairs of the buccaneers; I do not
-betray their secrets, because that would not be
-honourable, but far less would I betray yours. I
-work enough for them--work that pays for my
-victuals; but I will not help in their robberies.'
-
-'Forgive me, Harry,' said Etta frankly. 'We
-are afraid of every one now; yet we heard truly
-how you defended Carlo. Felipa, where is the
-parchment? You must write to your uncle at
-once, and let the writing be very small, for Andreas
-must carry it in his mouth; he says that is the
-only safe hiding-place.'
-
-Felipa sat down to write a few words to her
-uncle Don Alvarez, Governor of Chagres Castle;
-whilst Catalina, who could not write at all, looked
-on, giving her advice freely. Etta in the
-meanwhile told Harry of her plan, but she did not
-notice the start he gave as she mentioned that Don
-Alvarez was Governor of the castle of La Chagres,
-and a noble and brave gentleman who had sometimes
-paid them a visit at Santa Teresa.
-
-When the note was at last written hopeful Etta
-went softly out of the room to the end of a long
-passage. Opening a little window, she imitated
-the peculiar whistle which Carlo had taught her,
-and which was his signal between Andreas and
-himself. Harry had accompanied her, and he seemed as
-anxious as she was about the arrival of the faithful
-Indian.
-
-'Did the Señorita Felipa,' he asked, 'say in what
-distress you were, and what was the reason of your
-needing help?'
-
-'Nay; she said merely, "We are in great sorrow:
-come at once," and then something more about her
-poor father,' said Etta; and Harry could not help
-admiring the golden hair and sunny face of his new
-friend.
-
-But though Etta repeated her whistle no one
-appeared for a long time, but just as she was giving
-up in despair all hope of seeing the Indian, she
-noticed Andreas below creeping towards the
-verandah which he was accustomed to climb in
-order to get within hearing of Carlo. Now,
-however, he merely shook his head and whistled softly
-a few notes which meant 'Come here at sunset';
-and with this she was obliged to be contented,
-knowing that only real danger would keep him away.
-
-'I fancy he is watched,' said Harry; 'to-night
-he had better escape, if he is wise.' And then, very
-sorrowfully, the girl led the way back to the sitting-room.
-
-The girls dared not step out of their own
-chamber all the morning--indeed Catalina kept good
-guard over them, so that it was some comfort to
-listen to Harry Fenn's adventures and to hear what
-he liked best to talk of--the account of his home life.
-Felipa could not quite understand how he could
-be so clever, being neither a noble's son nor a
-young priest; but Etta had English ideas, imbibed
-from her parents, and her love of England made
-her listen eagerly to Harry's talk of the old church
-on the hill and of the learned and kind Mr. Aylett,
-who had taught him so much and whom she hoped
-to see some day. And, further, as misfortune draws
-hearts together, he told Etta of that last day at home,
-and how he had made the effort of renouncing his
-roving wishes, and yet how he had been forced to
-cross the ocean and see strange new sights in spite
-of himself.
-
-'I have had it often on my conscience that
-God was punishing me for my many discontented
-thoughts,' said the boy; 'and yet I think Mr. Aylett
-would not put it so. He must have told my parents
-that I was willing to stay.'
-
-'No, no; he could not blame you,' said Etta,
-clasping her hands, 'for then you would have also to
-say that God is punishing me for having been often
-in a passion when I was but ten years old. We must
-always be friends now, Harry, for our stories are
-much alike; but some day you will get back home,
-and you will tell your parents all you went through
-and of all your adventures, and then you will
-remember me and send some good merchant to take
-me away from St. Catherine to my uncle's house
-in Kent. I will show you the letters I have some
-time.'
-
-'If an English man-of-war was to touch here,
-then I would run away,' said Harry. 'I have never
-given my word not to escape.'
-
-'And did you really always say your prayers?'
-said Etta under her breath, who looked upon Harry
-as a very saintly hero. 'For sometimes I have
-forgotten them when nobody reminded me; and you
-must have found it very difficult.'
-
-'Nay, but without them I think I should have
-despaired entirely.'
-
-Catalina now broke in upon their talk by saying,
-'Come, young Englishman, if you are as friendly
-as you pretend, why can you not get my poor
-Carlo out of that dungeon? He will die there, for
-I am sure those ruffians will give him no food.'
-
-'I will do my best,' said Harry, 'and anyhow I
-will bring you news later in the day; and I will go
-now and see if I can do aught with the Captain for him.'
-
-When he was gone, Felipa and Etta fell fast
-asleep on a low couch, being quite wearied out with
-the events of the long night and morning, and so
-for a little while they forgot their troubles.
-
-
-
-
-
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-.. _`THE SECRET PASSAGE`:
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-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER XI.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE SECRET PASSAGE.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-Etta's courage came back with new
-energy after her long rest; the presence
-of Harry Fenn in the castle seemed to
-lessen the dangers which now evidently
-surrounded the little party; and, at all events, so
-long as he was here they would not be left in
-uncertainty. But it was nearly sunset before any one
-came to break their solitude in the sitting-room.
-At last there was a sound.
-
-'Hish! Open: it is Harry Fenn. Have no fears.'
-
-Etta ran to the door and let him in. He had
-a basket in his hands full of fruit, and also some
-bread, on which Catalina seized with joy.
-
-'I knew you must be hungry,' said Harry, 'so
-I took these when no one was looking. All the
-slaves are working with unusual activity. In
-truth, the Captain has enough to do, and the
-Marquis has been sent to San Salvador to make
-the garrison deliver up all the guns that are there.
-It is sad to see him so cast down.'
-
-'But what other news is there? Can we soon go
-out of this room? It is so cool under the trees,
-whilst here we are so hot, and everything is
-miserable,' said poor Felipa, who felt the burden of her
-life greater than she could bear now her father
-was away and Carlo in prison, and she herself was
-not far removed from being a prisoner.
-
-'I fancy, Señorita, that in a few days Captain
-Morgan will have decided something. He found
-great difficulty to-day in preventing his men
-scattering themselves after booty. All the main forts
-are in his hands, and he is busy ordering the
-removal of guns and ammunition to the fleet; and
-those who will show him hidden treasure get a title
-to his favour. You can see some of the ships
-from the windows of this castle. As soon as he
-can finish this work, I expect he will set sail. He
-does say he will not leave a musket in the island;
-but I fancy some of the negroes have already
-hidden away powder and muskets, for the men are
-inclined to handle them too roughly.'
-
-'They may take all the guns they like,' said
-Catalina impatiently, 'if they will release the
-Señorito Carlo to me. I wish I could hang up these
-villains on our tall groogroos!'
-
-'Unfortunately the man who has the key of
-the Señorito's dungeon has gone away to the other
-island,' said Harry, 'but as I passed by the gate
-just now an old man asked me if I would tell the
-nurse Catalina that the young Señor was not so
-fast locked but that she could get at him if she so
-wished. I know not what he meant, but I thanked
-him for his good offices.'
-
-At this Catalina clapped her hands, saying that
-Pedro was more cunning than he seemed to be, and
-that Carlo need not now starve; but no one understood her.
-
-'It is close on sunset,' said Harry to Etta,
-'and if you are going to keep your appointment
-with the Indian, I would like to come with you. I
-suppose you are sure he is to be trusted, for some
-of these Indians are none too brave, our men say,
-and fly like crows when they smell powder.'
-
-'Andreas! Yes, indeed, he loves Carlo as his
-own son. They often have gone hunting together.'
-
-So the two returned softly to the place of
-meeting at the window above the verandah, and,
-after waiting till the sun had sunk and darkness
-had suddenly come on, they heard the sound of
-soft whistling, and in another moment Andreas had
-swung himself over the balcony and stood by their side.
-
-Etta seized his hand.
-
-'Good Andreas, do you know all our misfortunes?
-Señor Carlo is still in the dungeon, the
-Marquis has gone to deliver up some guns, and
-if it were not for this kind friend we should be
-almost forsaken.'
-
-Andreas made a low salutation, but, all the
-same, eyed Harry rather suspiciously.
-
-'Do not be afraid,' continued Etta; 'he is a
-prisoner as we are, and will help us. Look,
-Andreas, could you manage to escape and take
-this note of the Señorita Felipa to her uncle at the
-Castle of Chagres? He would bring us help if he
-knew how badly we wanted it.'
-
-Andreas shook his head.
-
-'It is impossible, I fear. I am only at liberty
-because I can be useful with the cattle and the
-horses in the compound.'
-
-'But, good Andreas, you cannot know how
-important it is that this Spanish gentleman should
-know that Captain Morgan has taken St. Catherine,'
-said Harry quickly. 'If you cannot go, could you
-find some one else? Surely we have had enough
-horrors here and elsewhere,' he added, half to himself.
-
-'The blacks cannot be trusted, and none of my
-tribe would care to go. However, give it me,
-Señora; if I cannot go no one shall take the writing
-from me.' And with this Etta had to be satisfied;
-but she added in English:
-
-'If Andreas says no, it means no; for he is
-the cleverest and bravest Indian there is in all the
-island.'
-
-'When do you think the pirates will go, Andreas?'
-she asked anxiously.
-
-'The Captain is asking for men who know the
-roads on the mainland. I believe they intend to
-attack Panama; and yet that is a big rich city, and
-is not badly defended, so that I can hardly believe
-that such is really their intention.'
-
-After this, Andreas said he must not stay
-longer, as he was obliged to go back to the
-compound, but that he would come the next day
-at sundown to the same place, if in the meanwhile
-he were unable to escape from the vigilance of his
-new masters in order to go to the mainland, where,
-some short distance down the Chagres River, stood
-the castle of that name, strongly garrisoned by
-Spanish soldiers.
-
-As Harry and Etta returned towards the
-sitting-room the former promised he would come
-back early the next morning and bring what food
-he could find, only begging that the Señorita and
-Etta would not dream of showing themselves below
-stairs; for indeed the scenes that went on--the
-drinking, swearing, and quarrelling--were no fit
-sight for them--'or, indeed, for any Christian man,'
-added Harry. 'They will soon fall to and begin
-to cross their cudgels, fancying they are full of wit
-and valour; though, indeed, there are many who
-have only joined them because misfortunes have
-come upon them in the old country, and they fancy
-this wild life is better than starving. Some, too,
-were trained to fight in the late wars, and say that
-life is naught without a sword and a war-cry; yet I
-know that many of them disapprove of the cruel
-deeds they see.'
-
-'But you would escape if you could?' asked Etta.
-
-'Yes, indeed; but Captain Morgan knows that,
-and I feel sure I am often watched. Good-night,
-Mistress Etta. I will do my best to free you out of
-this distress.'
-
-Etta found on her return that everything looked
-more cheerful, and indeed Felipa ran towards her
-friend and began kissing her as she laughed and
-cried alternately.
-
-'What is the matter? what has happened?'
-said Etta; for Catalina looked just as happy, and
-was praising all the saints in the calendar.
-
-'Catalina is so clever and so good! Fancy! she
-has seen Carlo, and, look, he has shared our
-supper!'
-
-'Where is he? have they freed him?'
-
-'No, no--hush!--but it was good Pedro's doing;
-they made him show them the way to the dungeons,
-and he got him locked up in the cell that has another
-door into it, and we can get at it from here. You
-know that nasty dirty little staircase which we were
-always afraid of? Well, that leads to his cell. In
-former times, Catalina says, they used to go down
-from here and try to get the secrets out of the
-prisoners by making them false promises. That is
-why there are two doors in it.'
-
-'And have you seen him? Oh, Catalina, let
-me go down at once and speak to dear Carlo! He
-will know now we are going to send a message
-to Don Alvarez, for Andreas will try hard to get
-away.'
-
-'No, no, Señorita, you must not go now. I crept
-down like a snake, and found my poor boy crouched
-in a corner quite faint for want of food. How he
-started up when I pushed back the sliding panel! and,
-in truth, he was ready to fight me, fancying I
-was a pirate come to murder him. And when he
-saw it was only old Catalina he nearly cried; though
-he laughed, too, afterwards. He knew I could not
-see the tears, mind you, in that dark hole. Well,
-he ate the bread and fruit in a very short time, and
-asked no end of questions, poor boy, and sent an
-especial message to you to tell you he was not so
-badly off now he could hear news of us. It was as
-good as any feast, he said.'
-
-'But, Catalina, why did you not bring him
-here? We could hide him, I am sure we could; and
-if not, he could escape by the balcony.'
-
-'I suggested it to him, but he was wiser. "My
-jailors may come at any moment," he said, "and
-then, seeing me gone, they would soon search and
-discover the door, and no one can tell what they
-might then do." Ah, he is a brave youth; it is a
-pity his father is not like him.'
-
-It was indeed a great comfort to feel that their
-Carlo was so near to them, and at all events would
-not die of starvation, as there was before much
-chance of his doing if left to the tender mercies
-of his captors, who were now beginning to recover
-from their carousal, and were being sent to all parts
-of the two islands with orders to drive the harmless
-inhabitants in to the various fortresses as if they
-had been cattle, and to treat all who resisted the
-appropriation of their goods as if they were rebels.
-
-It was decided that Carlo could not be visited
-again till a late hour the next morning, for fear
-of any one being discovered in the cell. Etta,
-as more agile than Catalina, was then to visit the
-dungeon; and, much comforted, the three this
-evening knelt down to pray together that God
-would deliver them from their sad plight and take
-care of their own dear Carlo and the Marquis.
-
-Felipa was very fond of her father in spite of
-being a little afraid of him; he had always been
-indulgent to her, and she fretted at seeing nothing
-of him. The truth was, that the Governor preferred
-even looking after the betrayed fortresses to seeing
-the sorrow of his children; and he was much
-afraid Felipa would reproach him for having
-allowed Carlo to be imprisoned.
-
-As the girls would not leave the sitting-room,
-through which alone they could get at Carlo,
-Catalina spread some mattresses on the floor for
-them; and this evening they slept soundly in spite
-of their many misfortunes.
-
-They were up at sunrise, and were all impatience
-for the first tidings which Harry had promised to
-bring them; but when at last they heard his voice,
-and let him in, he was not in a very cheerful mood.
-
-'When is Captain Morgan going away?' asked
-Etta, whose sweet face and golden hair made Harry
-hunger all the more for his home, in order that he
-might send or fetch her. 'Make haste and tell us
-good news. I have a lovely plan for saving you
-from these people, Harry Fenn, but I dare not tell
-it yet I would dearly love to hear their hue and
-cry after you. How they would boggle at finding
-you gone!'
-
-'You need not make plans for me, Mistress
-Etta: the Captain has even just now told me that
-he wishes me to go aboard one of his ships. He
-knows I will not fight, but he would fain make me
-act spy on the others. But see, this is all I could
-find for you, Catalina. Here are some yams and
-bananas and bread. I wanted to bring you a cooked
-fowl, but one of the men was angry at what he
-called my huge appetite. They think that as I
-will not do all their work I must not eat the
-good things, and that I am not worth my provender,
-as they put it.'
-
-'But when shall you go?' asked Felipa, who
-looked so much more cheerful this morning that
-Harry could not help noticing it.
-
-'No, no: you must not go!' said Etta, seizing
-his hand. 'Stay with us, and we will send you back
-to England. The Señora Felipa will ask her father,
-and when the pirates are gone----'
-
-'Thank you for your kind good offices; but
-your plan is impossible, for Captain Morgan does
-not mean to leave Santa Teresa just yet; he is
-sending out four ships and a boat to try how he
-gets on in those parts.'
-
-'Where?'
-
-'That I durst not say, Señora; it was only by
-accident that I overheard it; but I know that, in the
-future, the Captain's mind is set upon taking the
-great town of Panama.'
-
-'He will never do that,' said Felipa, tossing her
-head. 'There is a strong garrison there, and His
-Catholic Majesty would never forgive them if they
-allowed it to be taken by such needy gallants as
-your crew.'
-
-'That is what I think too, Señora. However,
-I dare say our ships will come back from this lesser
-expedition somewhat humbled and crestfallen. At
-present their pride knows no bounds. But, dear
-ladies, I am sorry to say that I am the bringer of
-evil news, which it goes against me to tell; but it is
-best to know the worst. I heard Captain Morgan
-say that the Señorito Carlo was to be released this
-morning and to be taken on this expedition, because----'
-
-'Oh, how dreadful! Carlo to go with all those
-wicked men! Nay, I know he will never consent,'
-cried Felipa.
-
-'But in truth he will be less likely to get harm
-than in those damp dungeons below. I reminded the
-Captain that the Señor had had no food, and that
-men would cry shame on himself if the Señor were
-to come to harm.'
-
-'Thank you, Sir Harry, for your kind intentions,'
-said Felipa in her somewhat quaint English,
-'but indeed I had rather my brother were in the
-dungeon than out at sea with such knaves as these
-buccaneers. Cannot you obtain this boon from
-your captain for us; for if my brother goes what
-shall we do?'
-
-Harry would not tell her he had no power;
-so, promising to do his best, he hurried away, not
-daring to stay longer.
-
-
-
-
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-.. _`A NEW EXPEDITION`:
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- CHAPTER XII.
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-.. class:: center medium
-
- A NEW EXPEDITION.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-The hours wore away very, very slowly for
-poor Carlo, who in his damp dark cell
-reflected with bitter shame on the
-departed glory of his name. Moreover, it
-was hard to bear this terrible confinement; and now
-and then the thought would pass through his mind
-that he had been a fool for his pains, for his
-resistance had done no good to any one, and had put him
-into a very luckless place and a miserable condition.
-But Catalina's visit and the discovery of the secret
-door, though it opened only from the outside of the
-cell into the narrow secret passage, took away all
-the feeling of loneliness, which is almost unbearable
-to the young. Now all was different. Upstairs and
-not far from him there were those who cared for him;
-and, to say the truth, the food Catalina had brought
-very much contributed to his more cheerful spirits.
-When first imprisoned there had been no time to do
-more than thrust the boy into the cell, so he was free
-to walk the two steps which were all that the width of
-the place allowed; but it was a comfort to feel with
-his fingers for the slight marks of the secret door,
-and to place his ear against it, listening intently
-for coming footsteps.
-
-This morning, however, it was in the outside
-passage that he first heard sounds; and presently
-the key creaked in the lock, the bolts were drawn
-back, and a rough voice called out with a seasoning
-of oaths:
-
-'Here, young cub, take this loaf; it's none of the
-newest, but good enough for young teeth; and here's
-water to wash it down with; for, ay, marry, it's
-all you'll get till to-night, when the Captain has
-ordered your release. Maybe by then you'll have
-learnt to cudgel less and show less paltry spite.'
-
-Carlo's heart beat fast, for the very idea of once
-more seeing the sun and enjoying the lovely sights
-and sounds of the tropical world made him happy.
-No, he did not now regret his conduct: he had
-vindicated his honour, and the price was not too great.
-He longed to know more, but of course he would
-not ask this fellow for any news, so he received his
-communication in silence. In consequence of this he
-was favoured with another volley of opprobrious
-titles, which he bore with patience, as beneath the
-notice of a nobly born Spaniard.
-
-When this visit was over, Carlo set himself
-again to listen for more welcome footsteps; but it
-was only after an hour had elapsed that he was
-rewarded by hearing, not Catalina's heavy tread, but
-a gentle well-known footfall. It was Etta, who
-after some difficulty managed to slide back the
-secret door; and, peering into the darkness without
-at first seeing anything, she exclaimed:
-
-'Carlo, are you there? Oh, how dreadful!
-Here, dear Carlo, take this bread, and a fresh
-banana; for you must be very hungry. How glad
-I am that you will not be here much longer! And
-yet----'
-
-'How do you know, Etta? Was it Harry
-Fenn that told you? Will they give me back my
-sword? and where is my father?'
-
-'We know hardly anything; for though of course
-we are not in this horrid hole, yet we are as much
-prisoners as you are, my poor Carlo; and if it were
-not for Harry Fenn we should have had to go down
-to the hall amongst those rough men and beg
-for bread. Even Catalina dare not do that, for
-she cannot abide their rude jestings.'
-
-'Never mind: when I am released I shall teach
-those ruffians manners and see that you are not
-neglected,' said Carlo, still a little jealous of the
-doings of this new Harry.
-
-'But, Carlo, did they not tell you? You are
-to be put aboard one of the pirate ships and to
-show them the way somewhere; and indeed you
-must put a good face on the matter for fear they
-should handle you roughly.'
-
-Carlo was struck dumb at this news; but at last
-he burst forth with--
-
-'The rascals! What! do they think they are
-going to use me as a guide to some other
-unfortunate Spanish settlement? That they never shall.
-They may tear my limbs, but for such knaves----'
-
-'Hush, hush, Carlo! What if they heard you!
-But Harry Fenn is to go too. He knows nothing
-of your father or of what has happened to him;
-and, alack! poor Felipa, who was so glad and
-happy yesterday, is now all-sorrowful again. Dear
-Carlo, when you are aboard try and bear their
-raillery and stuff your ears, and---- But I dare
-not stay longer, Catalina is so frightened lest I
-should be discovered here, or for fear we should
-receive a visit from the Captain upstairs, and he
-would assuredly ask what had become of me; so
-good-bye, dear Carlo! Do not be rash; for, in
-truth, they may put you on the ship, but they cannot
-make you speak, and you do not know the roads
-of the mainland, so you can easily baffle these
-boors. Ah, now, I was forgetting to tell you that
-Felipa wanted to come with me, but Catalina would
-not let her. She sent you all her true love.'
-
-So these two took leave, and Etta, drawing back
-the tiny door and replacing the bolts, ran lightly
-upstairs, having put Catalina in a great fright; for
-hardly had the door of the dark cupboard out of
-which the turret stairs descended been shut when
-voices were heard close to the door of the dwelling-room.
-The old woman was much excited as she exclaimed--
-
-'St. Teresa save us! Etta mi! What heart-palpitations
-you have given me! Quick, child! lie
-down on the couch and hide all the cobwebs and
-dust which are on your petticoat.'
-
-Etta did so, trying to conceal her smiles; and
-Catalina threw a lace shawl over her, Spanish
-fashion; so that when Captain Henry Morgan
-entered, followed by a gentle-looking Frenchman,
-only the most natural sight in the world met their
-eyes.
-
-'Marry! see you, Sieur Maintenon, here is the
-dovecot I mentioned; but the dovelets are not so
-young but that they can coo. Prithee here,
-my English maid, and tell me anything thou canst of
-the mainland. Was thy merchant father wont to
-trade there? If so, he must often have landed at
-Panama, where rich stuffs are much *à la mode* and
-prized.'
-
-Etta was forced to get up; but Catalina,
-pretending to help her, privately shook as much dirt
-as she could from her petticoat.
-
-'No, Sir Captain, my father was an honest
-merchant who traded among the English isles,
-Jamaica chiefly, and took trips to England, but he
-never meddled with the Spanish settlements.'
-
-'Was it so? My experience is that merchants
-are glad to trudge wherever they can get gold
-coins. But you, Señorita, you have sometimes left
-this island? Speak plainly, for I like not
-capricious or saucy maidens,' said the Frenchman in
-soft Spanish tones to Felipa.
-
-'Never, Señor, except to go a visit to my
-uncle, the noble Don Alvarez, Governor of the
-Castle of St. Lawrence, which some call the Castle
-of Chagres because of the river of that name;
-and I wish heartily that I could let him know now
-of our distress.'
-
-'Marry! pretty dove, do not have the doleful
-dumps on that score, for such a message will not be
-difficult to deliver,' laughed Captain Morgan; 'the
-little Señorita can give it to that valiant warrior
-her brother, for I purpose despatching four of my
-ships there this very evening.'
-
-Felipa and Catalina lifted up their heads in
-horror, and the former burst into tears as she
-exclaimed, 'You will go to Chagres and attack the
-great Don Alvarez! That cannot be!'
-
-'Why not? Before the whole cheese is taken
-one must taste a little bit of it and see if it is
-good. From Chagres we can easily cross the
-narrow neck of land, but we want good guides to
-traverse that marshy region. Know you any such?'
-
-'I will send and warn my uncle,' said Felipa
-proudly, drying her tears; 'he is better armed than
-we were here, and he will receive you in a manner
-you will not like--that I can well foreknow.'
-
-Captain Morgan nodded to his companion.
-
-'So said I, pretty maid. Mark you, Maintenon,
-I will tell Captain Brodely to keep the
-ships well together; I hear from that vile caitiff
-Espada that the mouth of the river is dangerous,
-and that there are several gunboats stationed
-there.'
-
-'And if it were not,' put in Felipa incautiously,
-'the castle is on the top of the mountain and can
-never be taken. My uncle Don Alvarez will not
-be deceived by your tricks as was my father, and
-your fair promises will be laughed to scorn by him,
-for he will fight to the death.'
-
-'Thank you, pretty Señorita, for your advice.
-I will not forget to tell my men what kind of brave
-gentlemen they will have to meet; an we are
-worsted we must yield on honourable terms. But,
-doubtless, your brother will tell us more. I'faith,
-Maintenon, I must see that the ships are well
-manned and victualled: it does not do to trust any
-one but oneself when there is much risk in an
-enterprise, and, for all we know, a mortal crisis and
-some mangling of Christian bones.'
-
-So saying, the Captain moved away, and smiled
-as he noticed old Catalina in her corner busily
-muttering her usual imprecations against him.
-When not thwarted Henry Morgan was an
-agreeable man with much sense of humour; and it was
-partly this that had enabled him to keep his
-heterogeneous horde together, though quarrels
-were frequent enough, and led, as he said, to bangs
-and knocks sufficient to harden any softer fists.
-
-There was much indignation and many exclamations
-of despair from the girls and their old
-nurse when they were once more alone, which
-were only calmed when Felipa indignantly remarked:
-
-'My uncle Don Alvarez will never be conquered
-by such people, and dear Carlo will see him
-and tell him, when he has routed these knaves, to
-come to our help. If only I could see my brother!'
-
-But it was not thought prudent to descend
-again after the narrow escape Etta had had, for they
-could not tell at what hour Carlo might be released.
-
-'May the good God take care of my dear boy!'
-sighed poor Catalina, much depressed. She was
-feeling that her responsibilities were almost too
-great, and she heartily wished the Marquis would
-come back and take care of his children. Happily,
-till now Felipa had not fretted too much, though
-the poor girl was beginning to show signs of fatigue
-and anxiety. She was far more delicate than
-sturdy English Etta, whose spirits soon reasserted
-themselves and made her inclined to forget the
-dangers that still existed.
-
-In the meanwhile Carlo waited impatiently in
-his cell for the time when he should hear the steps
-of a pirate coming to release him; for now, having
-thought the question out, he had come to the
-conclusion that he had best take the matter quietly.
-Not being a prisoner on parole, he was free to
-escape, and perhaps he should soon find some
-opportunity of doing so. Once free, he believed
-that the faithful Andreas could hide him in the
-woods till such time as peace was restored. He
-had leisure now to make many reflections as to
-the future; but at last he heard footsteps in the
-passage outside. His heart beat fast, though he
-tried to appear cool. He could not guess the time
-of day, but he felt sure it was not far off sunset,
-when at last his door was hastily opened and a
-man told him roughly to get up and follow him.
-Carlo did so. He was a little stiff, and almost
-blinded by the light; but it seemed like a new life
-to be breathing once more the fresh air, and to feel
-the warm glow of the sunshine through his chilled
-veins. At the end of the passage he found several
-other men awaiting him; but they did not pinion
-him as before--an insult Carlo would have found it
-difficult to forgive.
-
-'Quick, young Señor, this way; we have no
-time to waste. We want no idle vermin among
-our crew.'
-
-It was fortunate for Carlo that Etta had
-prepared him for this new bondage, or he might have
-refused to follow the buccaneers out of Santa
-Teresa. As it was, however, he would not obey
-quite silently or without protest.
-
-'Where are you conducting me?' he asked, 'I
-demand to be taken to my father.'
-
-'Very likely, sirrah; but those are not our
-orders. Marry! it's best to ask no questions when
-one is Captain Morgan's prisoner, else some
-inquisitive knaves have learnt what it means "to
-swing like a skipper."'
-
-Carlo thought this advice wise, and followed it.
-
-Presently he saw that the men were joined by
-a fellow he knew well, Espada, who had evidently
-turned traitor. Carlo had seen him last at the
-Platform, and he was horrified to hear him say he
-was prepared to guide the men by a narrow path
-which led down the face of the steep cliff, and
-which they could not have found unassisted. It
-was by no means a pleasant descent, but it saved
-a few miles of walking, and, once at the bottom,
-they found a canoe awaiting them. With a heavy
-heart Carlo saw the massive walls of Santa Teresa
-disappearing. After a short row the boat he was
-in was moored alongside one of the pirate ships
-stationed just outside the bay, and he was bidden to
-scramble up a very rude rope ladder on to the
-deck of the ship, which, he found, was called 'The
-Falcon.'
-
-'Is Captain Brodely on board?' asked the
-escort, 'for here is the son of that craven-hearted
-Governor. By my faith! a valuable cargo, I take
-it; for he's to serve as guide, and to be hostage for
-the Marquis's good conduct in the future. Now
-then, young sir, on with you this way. And best
-budge quickly; for there's to be no tricks here,
-remember, or it will be the worse for you.'
-
-Poor Carlo! his Spanish pride inwardly rebelled;
-but, true to his resolution, he replied nothing
-to all these taunts. The Captain was too busy to
-attend to him, so he was presently locked up in a
-small cabin where the spirits stolen from Santa
-Teresa were stored; still he could see the dancing
-waves through the tiny port-hole, and, compared to
-the dungeon he had just left, this place was indeed
-like a palace, though the only pieces of furniture
-were barrels of wine and spirit-kegs, in which the
-Dutch carried on a brisk trade, and which
-therefore received the name of Hollands.
-
-When darkness fell over the beautiful shore
-the noise on board in no way diminished, and such
-a shouting and holloaing was heard that it was easy
-to see the pirates were in high spirits, and thought
-themselves invincible and able to do as they liked.
-
-After a time Carlo fell asleep, and was awakened
-only by feeling himself gently shaken. He started
-up, and saw by the help of the moonlight the kind
-face of Harry Fenn bending over him.
-
-'You here! Thank God!' exclaimed Carlo.
-'At all events these wretches will not murder me
-without some one knowing of it and reporting the
-crime!'
-
-Harry laughed at Carlo's somewhat moody ideas.
-
-'Oh, Señor, in truth you are safe enough now
-we have started, and I am bidden to ask you to
-come and sup in the Captain's own cabin. He is
-under strict orders to treat you well when once we
-are out at sea. And, look you, Señor: these men
-have not been told that you can understand
-English, so prithee keep the secret. They all
-come from the bigger island, and were not at
-Santa Teresa. Later on we may find it convenient
-to understand each other in English whispers. At
-present, remember, I only know very few Spanish
-words.'
-
-Carlo nodded, and with new hope followed the
-English boy into the Captain's cabin.
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`THE ESCAPE`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER XIII.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE ESCAPE.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-Captain Morgan had done wisely in
-thinking that it was quite necessary for
-him to have some base of operations on
-the mainland before crossing the narrow
-neck of land which separated him from the coveted
-prize, the city of Panama. It was for this reason
-that the expedition under Captain Brodely was sent
-out, whilst he detained the rest of his ships at safe
-anchor at St. Catherine, and also kept his men in
-good temper by letting them do as they pleased and
-ransack the two fair Spanish islands of this name.
-
-Captain Brodely was a daring seaman, who had
-seen before now the inside of Spanish prisons, and
-knew the ground round about Panama pretty
-accurately; but the Castle of Chagres was on the
-opposite side of the isthmus, and the river Chagres,
-which flowed at the foot of the hill on which stood
-the castle, was difficult to navigate, and great care
-would therefore be needed to steer the ships into
-safe anchorage. The Captain had been told that
-the Marquis's son knew well the castle and its
-surroundings; but when Harry Fenn entered his cabin
-accompanied by Carlo, the sturdy rover looked
-with scorn on the slight stripling whom Captain
-Morgan had sent him for guide. As hostage he
-might be all very well, but for aught else the
-Englishman preferred trusting his own good sense
-to the doubtful information abstracted from an
-unwilling prisoner whose Spanish blood prevented
-him, in the eyes of Captain Brodely at least, from
-having any regard for truth.
-
-Carlo found himself, therefore, treated with
-silent contempt rather than with severity by his
-new jailor, and as the 'Falcon' bounded over the
-water he could not help feeling happier than in his
-dungeon, wondering much how it was that he had
-appreciated liberty so little until now.
-
-After the first interview he received no special
-orders, nor was he expected to do anything; so,
-wishing to be alone, he retired for the night under
-a bale of goods stolen from one of the fortresses in
-St. Catherine. Harry Fenn, however, soon joined
-him, and the two spent the rest of the night by no
-means unpleasantly under this shelter, which had
-the merit of being out of the way of the crew.
-The next morning land was dimly in sight, and
-they expected to strike it in the afternoon; so
-before this time the Captain had several
-confabulations with his men. They knew that their ships
-were certain to be seen, so that it was hopeless to
-attempt to creep up in the dark unperceived, as
-their own safety required them to use the daylight.
-
-Chagres, as has been said, was built on a high
-hill close to the river; it was surrounded by strong
-palisades buttressed with earth, and a ditch thirty feet
-deep defended its near approach. It had but one
-entry, and that reached by a drawbridge over the
-said ditch. Four bastions looked landward and
-two seaward. On the north side ran the river, and
-on the south the hill was too steep for any invader
-to climb. At the foot of the mountain was another
-fort with eight guns commanding the river, and two
-other batteries were placed a little lower down.
-This, then, was the well-fortified place which the
-pirates were now determined to possess themselves
-of; and no wonder that Carlo spoke rather scornfully
-to Harry of the expedition as an impossible
-and rash dream.
-
-'My uncle, Don Alvarez, is as wise and brave
-a man as can be found in all the dominions of the
-King of Spain,' he whispered to his companion,
-when the two were left alone, unnoticed by the
-excited sailors.
-
-'I have seen enough of these men, Señorito, to
-make me disbelieve in nothing. They will leap down
-headlong into danger, and get up unhurt. But
-I see they are not making straight for the mouth
-of the river; doubtless we shall land a little way
-off, so as to avoid the fire from the fort.'
-
-'If I could but warn my uncle!' said Carlo
-earnestly. 'Look you, Master Harry Fenn, I will
-give you a handsome reward if----'
-
-Harry tossed back his fair hair even as a
-young colt who is galloping before the wind, as
-he answered:
-
-'You forget, Señor, that though I may be
-among thieves, yet I am an honest Englishman,
-and I take no reward for doing what I can. I
-am no knave that gripes after a reward.'
-
-Carlo saw that he had insulted the boy who
-had saved his life, and with his usual impetuous
-generosity he apologised fully.
-
-'Indeed, indeed, I meant no harm. I am sorely
-troubled; but you at least will forgive me. This
-luckless affair has made me foolish.'
-
-Harry was easily pacified, and he himself at
-once suggested a plan by which Carlo might
-accomplish his purpose.
-
-'Look now, Señor Carlo: when our ships come
-to anchor, they will put more than half the men
-ashore in order to carry the castle by assault, and
-they will not trouble themselves much about us, I
-see. If we could escape then, and go faster than
-the attacking party, we might do some good in
-warning Don Alvarez.'
-
-'Yes, that is indeed a first-rate idea, and that
-also reminds me that, close by the landing at the
-foot of the castle, there is a small steep staircase
-cut out of the solid rock. I have often climbed up
-by it for quickness when I have been staying
-with my uncle and was late for supper. If we
-could somehow get there, trust me to distance
-them. What think you of this possibility?'
-
-Harry's smile showed that he appreciated the
-idea, so they were soon deep in ways and means;
-for they could not help entering into the spirit of
-the attack, now that they were planning a
-counter-expedition of their own. Very soon there was
-more than enough excitement, however. Their
-ships had been discovered, and the pirates seeing
-the enemy's guns begin to play upon them, Captain
-Brodely clearly understood it was useless attempting
-to enter the river, so the ships bore down on a
-small port about three miles from Chagres, and
-when the sun went down they lay at anchor.
-There was to be no rest for any one that night.
-All was bustle and confusion, some of the crew
-declaring they would land, some that they would
-find it easy to run the gauntlet of the forts; and
-among all this discord the Captain had more than
-enough to do to keep the peace, and some show of
-authority.
-
-'Now, Señor, here's our time,' said Harry, with
-eagerness, for some of his fresh ardour and
-adventurous spirit was returning now that he could
-lawfully indulge it. 'We can take a small boat
-from our masters; or if not, perhaps we can swim to
-shore from here and walk along the coast, if that is
-possible in the darkness.'
-
-'Yes, for the tide is low; but the moon will
-soon be up, and then trust me for the rest. But
-how shall we baffle the men?'
-
-'The men are too busy to notice us. I can let
-myself down by a rope. Or wait--I will hold the
-rope for you, and when you are in the boat, which
-is moored below, I will let myself down. But cut
-the rope as soon as you are in, for I can swim out
-to you.'
-
-'But the sharks--are you not afraid of them?'
-asked Carlo, who knew that these dreaded enemies
-had always to be taken into account.
-
-'They are less likely to be about at this time,'
-said Harry, cheerfully; 'but of course I must chance
-them. "Nothing venture, nothing have," is an
-English proverb which the buccaneers certainly
-act upon.'
-
-In truth, Harry's plan was very cleverly thought
-out. The pirates, aware that no enemy would
-dare to come and attack them after dark, had let
-down their small boats and canoes, and were busily
-preparing everything for an early start.
-
-Carlo now nimbly scrambled down, helped
-by Harry's steady hand, and safely descended
-into a canoe which was tied to the ship, and
-which was ordinarily used for running up narrow
-creeks in the islands. Then he crouched down and
-waited breathlessly for Harry to follow; but, to his
-horror, he suddenly heard voices above, and
-distinctly caught Harry's words, evidently meant for
-him to hear--
-
-'I shall stay here as long as I choose: don't wait
-for me. Off with you: your business brooks no delay.'
-
-A gruff voice answered:
-
-'Marry! but you'll come with me too, young
-Pug-robin; the Captain says there's a good deal to
-do in stowing away the provision for to-morrow,
-and idle hands are not wanted here. Those that
-won't work can filch no booty.'
-
-Then came the sound of retreating footsteps,
-and Carlo knew that all was up as far as Harry
-was concerned; so, cutting the rope, and not caring
-much whether he were discovered or not, so desperate
-had he become, he took the oars, and as silently
-as possible he shot off into the darkness, going,
-as far as he was able to judge, straight for the
-shore.
-
-No one, however, seemed to have discovered
-his escape, for he heard no hue and cry raised, nor
-sound of pursuers; and this fact, after a time, raised
-his spirits. Happily, his expeditions with Andreas
-had made him a skilful oarsman, and when the
-moon rose he was able to see that he had got well
-forward and was out of sight of the pirates, having
-turned round a projecting cliff, and being now well
-in sight of the river's mouth.
-
-If only Harry had been with him Carlo would
-have thoroughly enjoyed the adventure. He was
-so sure that, once in Chagres Castle, he should be
-safe and free, that he was all eagerness to push on.
-
-'I shall save my uncle, and be ready to fight
-for him,' thought he. 'Ah, if only my father had
-not been so deluded, perhaps Chagres would not
-now have to defend itself against this fierce horde.'
-
-With these thoughts mingled ideas of the praise
-he should receive, and also sad remembrances of the
-desolation of his own home, and of the terrible
-story which he should have to tell his uncle; but he
-had immense faith in Don Alvarez, and longed for
-his advice and kind sympathy. As he neared the
-shore he saw that great excitement prevailed there,
-the authorities fancying he was a pirate ambassador
-come to parley; for the arrival of the ships was
-known, and a strict look-out was kept. A boat
-full of soldiers was immediately dispatched, and
-was soon alongside of him; and the astonishment
-was great when the men saw, on close inspection,
-that the boat contained only a young fellow
-rowing himself to shore. At last Carlo, by dint of
-showing he had nothing with him but food, and
-that he was in reality only the son of Don
-Estevan del Campo, was allowed to land. Then,
-fearful of some ruse, the soldiers surrounded him,
-and took him before the officer who was now on
-guard at the lower fort. Fortunately, this latter had
-once seen Carlo, and then all were intensely eager
-to hear the news. After hastily telling the bare
-facts, Carlo hastened up the rocky stairs,
-accompanied by a soldier, who took the precaution of
-bringing a safe-conduct, signed by the superior
-officer, for the edification of the porter; otherwise
-there might have been some difficulty in entering
-the castle, so watchful and so suspicious had every
-one become on hearing of the approach of the
-dreaded pirates; for the name of Henry Morgan
-was sufficient to cause almost a panic in a Spanish
-garrison.
-
-The surprise and pleasure of Don Alvarez and
-his gentle wife, Doña Elena, can easily be imagined
-when they saw their nephew, and heard of his
-marvellous escape from the pirates' ship; but the
-outline only of the events which had taken place
-at St. Catherine could be now discussed, Don
-Alvarez being so busy and eager to do everything
-in his power to repulse the enemy.
-
-'From what you say, Carlo,' said Don Alvarez,
-'the buccaneers cannot be here till the afternoon,
-for the roads hither from the bay are almost
-impassable since the rain. That will give us some few
-hours before sunset to rout them. I doubt much if
-there will be any left. For my part, I call it a most
-impudent assault; but I shall use every precaution,
-and not fall into the error of my poor brother-in-law;
-for, in truth, to parley with such fellows is to
-disgrace the Spanish flag.'
-
-Carlo retired to rest, kindly tended by his aunt,
-who rubbed sweet ointments into his blistered hands
-and provided him with clean linen and a new
-doublet of sturdy buff; for, in truth, Carlo was
-hardly recognisable after all he had gone through,
-and his clothes were much torn and soiled.
-
-'God has indeed taken care of you, my brave
-Carlo; you have the true Alvarez blood in your
-veins. Your uncle will not forget your brave
-conduct; and directly we are delivered from these men,
-he will go over to St. Catherine with sufficient force
-to restore order and to give back the island to its
-proper masters. My heart grieves sore for my
-poor little Felipa.'
-
-'They will indeed be glad to see him, and you
-too, Aunt Elena; but Felipa and the English Etta
-have been civilly treated. Only, it seems to me that
-these pirates think that so long as they have enough
-to eat it does not matter if others starve. If it had
-not been for Harry Fenn--him I told you of--the
-girls would have fared badly enough. But I am as
-sleepy as a porpoise. Do not forget to wake me
-early, and you will see how I will fight these jailors
-of mine, and pay them back their cudgelling with
-interest.'
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`DEFENCE TILL DEATH`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER XIV.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- DEFENCE TILL DEATH.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-It was two o'clock before the look-out
-from the castle discerned the approach
-of the pirates, and then all was activity.
-Carlo, having no fears, and being, besides,
-well rested and fed, was all eagerness for the first
-encounter. But Doña Elena had asked him to
-accompany her into the church built within the
-palisade; and there, kneeling down, both begged for
-a blessing on the Spanish arms. Carlo thought
-too of his own desolate home, and this rather calmed
-his spirits. He wondered much what had become
-of Harry Fenn, and whether he had been left
-behind or forced to march to the attack. On the
-face of it, nothing could have been more foolhardy
-than this expedition; and so thought the pirates
-themselves as they at last, after a dreadful journey
-through mire and mud, came in sight of the strongly
-fortified castle. Many a stout heart wished at that
-moment that the owner thereof had not been quite
-so clamorous in insisting on being chosen as one
-of the storming party; but no one dared to put
-these thoughts into words, for to turn tail now and
-receive the gibes and scorn of those they had left
-behind was not to be thought of for a moment.
-They were now in an open space at the foot of
-Chagres. The enemy at once opened fire upon them
-with more or less effect, and to pause at that moment
-was only to get into greater danger, so, without
-waiting for rest, they daringly began to ascend the
-hill in order, if possible, to get close up to the walls.
-But though there was no lack of pluck, the danger
-was too great, the task impossible; and so they
-reluctantly beat a retreat, followed by shouts of
-joy and derision from the walls of the castle,
-and many uncomplimentary titles, 'English dogs'
-and 'Enemies of God and our King' being the mildest.
-
-Within the castle precincts, Don Alvarez was
-here, there, and everywhere; and though Carlo was
-not allowed to go into the most dangerous places
-for fear of some stray shot or arrow, he was,
-however, ready for every opening which promised a
-source of honour. He loaded muskets, carried
-ammunition, dashed water over the heated gun-barrels,
-and made himself very useful.
-
-'They are repulsed!' rang through the castle
-as the men so long on watch now bethought
-themselves of their supper; and the women, coming out
-of the church, where they had been placed for
-safety, were soon busy serving the heroes. Carlo's
-bright eyes were sparkling with eagerness; he felt
-that he was serving under a brave, honourable man
-who would die rather than give in, and that he was
-wiping out his own disgrace.
-
-But after sunset it appeared evident that the
-dauntless spirits of the buccaneers were not yet
-crushed, and that they meant to try again. The
-small army advanced in a compact square, the
-foremost line carrying fire-balls to throw at the
-palisades. Up they dashed, heedless of shots and
-arrows, which had fatal effect in thinning the ranks;
-but at first the assailants were quite impotent to
-effect any harm. The walls were well manned, and
-it was difficult to get near enough to throw in the
-fire-balls.
-
-Again there was a thought of retreat, when a
-curious accident caused the fight to be no longer
-advantageous only on one side. One of the pirates
-was wounded with an arrow, which, striking him in
-the back, pierced his body to the other side. With
-Spartan fortitude the man pulled it out, and, taking
-a little cotton, he wound it round the arrow, and,
-putting it in his musket, shot it back into the castle.
-This caused one of the smaller houses within the
-precincts to catch fire, which, being thatched with
-palm-leaves, easily ignited; and so eager was the
-fight that this was not at once perceived, till suddenly
-the flame shot upwards, sending a dull, lurid glow
-over the combatants.
-
-Unfortunately, the house was not far from
-the powder-magazine, and a smoking leaf was
-carried by the night wind towards this spot. In
-a few moments more both the besieged and
-besiegers paused in their work, for with a noise of
-terrific explosion the powder-magazine blew up,
-scattering destruction within the walls, and, what
-was even worse, shattering a large portion of the
-bank which protected the palisade.
-
-At this moment Carlo, who had been engaged
-in reloading a number of muskets, saw a sight
-which made him turn sick with fear. The fire was
-gaining ground; the flames, like hungry furies,
-appeared to leap from stake to stake of the strong
-palisade, and, further loosening the earth round the
-breaches made by the explosion, allowed great
-masses of earth to topple over into the ditch.
-
-'Put out the fire! fetch water! hoist the bucket
-from the well!' shouted Don Alvarez, frantically
-rushing from post to post. 'Keep up your spirits,
-my men; don't fall back; hurl the first pirate who
-scales the ditch headlong down the cliff!'
-
-These and many like orders were passed on;
-but from below came a desperate cheer from the
-pirates, who saw how the fire had done the hardest
-part of the work for them, and with renewed
-courage dashed once more forward.
-
-It was, indeed, a terrible sight; the fire that
-raged round the palisade was awful in its effects.
-The Spanish soldiers on one side struggled bravely
-to stand to their posts; while the pirates, still more
-determined, crawled along over the scorching earth,
-or literally ran the gauntlet of the fire, in order to
-pass into the enclosure; and a shout of triumph
-here and there told plainly where they had succeeded.
-
-On his side, Don Alvarez worked wonders.
-He never flinched from his duty, and seemed not
-to notice any personal danger; but when daylight
-came the situation looked most depressing. Yet
-nothing could make him give the order to forsake
-the various posts where the soldiers were stationed.
-
-Carlo saw now that most likely the pirates
-would conquer, and he could have cried with shame
-and vexation. What should he say after all his
-boasting? But one look at his uncle's stern, noble
-face made him toil on at his work without pausing
-to think, till at last he was aware of an unusual
-disturbance on the opposite side of the castle, a
-deafening shout, and a furious firing. At this
-moment Don Alvarez reappeared at his side.
-
-'Carlo, here boy, quick: there is not a moment
-to spare. Take this note, climb down by the rock
-stairs, and deliver it safely to Don Meliros, the
-officer at the entrance fort--him you saw yesterday.
-If we are undone, don't let him waste any more
-precious lives. It is my duty to hold out till death,
-but his to save his garrison. Do you hear, boy?
-And, if you see him again, bid good-bye to your
-father. Tell him--nay, nothing more. But listen,
-Carlo: there is much danger in carrying this
-message, my boy; but do it fearlessly: it may
-prevent greater misfortunes for thee at least.'
-
-Carlo did not hesitate a moment.
-
-'Trust me, uncle: I will be as quick as possible,
-and come back to your side. Where shall I find you?'
-
-'In the Corps du Garde, boy. Good heavens! the
-men on the north are giving way; that is our only
-strong point. Quick, boy: don't linger a moment!'
-
-Don Alvarez hurried away, and Carlo ran
-straight for the church, which still remained
-untouched by the fire, and where the women and
-children were huddled together repeating a Litany
-aloud, not at all realising how great was their
-danger. Carlo knew that behind the church there
-was a piece of wall which he could scale, and which
-was not yet guarded by the pirates, all of whom
-were now concentrating their forces on the opposite
-side. From this spot Carlo could climb round
-the parapet, and reach the rocky stairs with his
-precious missive.
-
-Being over-eager, however, Carlo found his
-task more difficult than he had expected; in his
-case haste made waste, for twice he fell back, and
-twice, being undaunted, he tried again. He
-heard a deafening shout behind him; alas! Carlo
-knew it was not the Spanish war-cry, and at last,
-in desperation, he made a final effort to lower
-himself to a ledge below without losing his balance,
-which would have caused him to be hurled down
-the face of the cliff; then, clinging like a goat, he
-crept along till he reached the stairs.
-
-At this moment, when, feeling that he had
-already wasted much precious time, he was about
-to hurry down, a familiar voice close behind called
-him by name.
-
-'Señor Carlo, wait a moment. How I have
-looked for you!' And then Harry Fenn, with greater
-skill than Carlo deemed possible, scrambled down
-from a point above him, and having joined him
-whispered anxiously, seizing him by the arm--
-
-'Now, Señor, don't waste a moment: it is your
-only chance of safety. They know you have been
-fighting, and the castle and all the ammunition are
-now in the hands of the pirates.'
-
-Carlo said nothing till both had reached the
-bottom; then, showing Harry his letter, he said his
-uncle had bade him deliver it. Before reaching
-the fort, however, they both saw that any message
-was now useless, for the Spaniards were already
-scrambling for the boats in order to fly up the
-river into the interior.
-
-'Then I must return to my uncle, Harry,' said
-Carlo. 'I promised to go to the Corps du Garde
-after I had given up my letter; but do not wait for
-me, for now is your chance of escape.'
-
-'He does not want you now, Señor Carlo: he
-died at his post as a brave soldier should. I will
-tell you about it presently, for now we have not a
-moment to waste: if you are found, or indeed if
-I am found helping you, we shall both be shot
-without more ado, for the men are in wild excitement.'
-
-Carlo was speechless. The whole events of the
-last twelve hours seemed too terrible to believe, and
-he followed Harry in total silence. The latter, having
-now reached the bank of the river, was looking
-eagerly about for a boat.
-
-'Where can we go if you find a boat?' said
-Carlo at last very sadly. 'It would be better for me
-to stay and die with my uncle.'
-
-'No; indeed, I am sure he meant you to be
-saved by his sending you down here; he must have
-known when he did so that all was lost, and the
-letter to the officer was an excuse to induce you to
-leave him.'
-
-'But my Aunt Elena--what will become of her?
-Alack! Heaven is altogether against us!'
-
-'Do not distress yourself about her: she is of
-too great importance to come to any harm; they
-will make her pay a heavy ransom--and, anyhow,
-they will treat her well till Captain Morgan comes.
-Look, Señor, there is a small boat with one Indian
-in it. Have you any gold about you? We might
-perhaps bribe him.'
-
-But Carlo was penniless; only, being able to
-make himself understood, he began trying to strike
-a bargain for the canoe, which appeared now their
-only chance of safety.
-
-The fort was quite evacuated, and so terrified
-were the Spaniards now escaping up the river, that,
-in spite of signals from Carlo, not one would return.
-So, after some delay, during which Harry became
-every minute more impatient, knowing how great
-the danger was, the boys squeezed themselves into
-the small canoe, and, crouching down, bade the
-Indian paddle out to sea.
-
-For a long time Carlo lay there too much
-distressed to speak; but happily Harry had all his
-senses about him, and had seized a pair of small
-oars left behind by the fugitives. Very soon he
-noticed that they had drifted too near the pirate
-ships, and that they were discovered, for Harry's
-keen eyes at once noticed a slight stir on board.
-
-'Señor Carlo, get up and row: we must make
-the best of our way towards St. Catherine, if we
-cannot get up greater speed than this we may be
-lost.' And Carlo, thinking of his father and sister
-and his home, at last roused himself and rowed
-with a will.
-
-'But what is the use of our getting back to
-St. Catherine?' he said; 'Captain Morgan will not be
-more lenient to me than his men would have been.'
-
-'He will come off at once on hearing of this
-victory, I am sure, for he will want his share of the
-spoil. My hope is that we may escape him in that way.'
-
-'But he will never forgive you for helping me,'
-said poor Carlo, feeling that he had brought
-misfortune on the noble English boy, who cared as
-much as he did himself for freedom.
-
-'That is of no consequence--I can risk that;
-indeed, if he would, he would never dare forgive me
-now; his men would not let him. Ah, Señor, what
-is the matter? The sun is too powerful; and indeed
-you have gone through enough to make you feel ill.'
-
-'Nay, I will not give way,' said Carlo; but he
-felt so sick and giddy, that in a few moments he
-had to give up his oar and lie down in the boat;
-whilst Harry, seeing now that all danger from
-the pirate boats was over, intimated to the Indian
-that they must make the best of their way to
-St. Catherine.
-
-Happily the Indian had some bananas and
-oranges on board which he had been bringing down
-to the fort for sale, when the general exodus of the
-Spaniards had prevented him landing. This was
-the only food they had to depend upon, and the
-distance was great for such a small craft. But
-necessity knows no impossibility, and now Harry
-felt, for the moment at least, that he was really free;
-though he would, on landing, probably fall again into
-the hands of his enemies; and if so, then he knew
-what he must expect--a death which would most
-likely be accompanied by torture.
-
-'Mr. Aylett would say I had done well,' was
-his consolation, and Etta Allison would, perhaps,
-through his means, also be able to get her freedom.
-So, humming one of the old hymns he had sung
-as a choir-boy at home, he took courage and
-determined to reach St. Catherine or die in the
-attempt. 'Anyhow, Señor Carlo will be no worse
-off in dying of hunger than in dying through
-torture. They would have been sure to imagine he
-knew where Don Alvarez hid his treasure. I am
-free, free, and the air seems fresher, and the sea
-smells sweeter; so, God helping me, I will save him
-and myself.'
-
-Whilst these events were taking place at Chagres
-the inhabitants of Santa Teresa were by no means
-happy. Deprived of even the slight protection of
-Harry Fenn, the girls and Catalina found
-themselves in no enviable position. After the departure
-of the expedition, Captain Morgan determined to
-settle as far as possible the affairs of the island,
-so that directly he should hear of the success
-or failure of the enterprise against Chagres Castle
-he should be free to go about other business. If
-the attack failed he must again unite his fleet--for the
-greater number of ships were in the bay--and take
-counsel with his chief officers; but if it succeeded,
-then all hands and all heads would be needed for
-the attack on Panama, which was, in truth, the
-height of their ambition. For these reasons
-Captain Morgan still made Santa Teresa his
-headquarters, but was full of occupation elsewhere; and,
-to make the poor Don Estevan del Campo's task
-harder, he required his daily attendance upon him.
-The Captain was bent on demolishing all the
-strong castles of St. Catherine, meaning to leave
-only Santa Teresa standing for his own future use.
-He thus made Don Estevan assist at this wholesale
-destruction, treating him outwardly with consideration,
-but implying that the Spaniard was himself
-glad to help in the destruction of the forts it had
-been his duty to look after. The Marquis suffered
-much more torment than if he had died as a
-soldier, and every day he became more gloomy,
-more miserable, and so curious in his behaviour
-that many said he must be losing his mind, and
-shunned him accordingly. He was, in fact,
-tormented with terrible regrets, and these were
-ten-fold increased when he heard that his son had been
-sent with the expedition against his brother-in-law.
-To make things worse, Captain Morgan had
-forbidden the Marquis to enter Santa Teresa, saying
-that it would be too severe a tax on the loyalty of
-the Indians and the negroes, who, for convenience'
-sake, were kept in their old places; but in truth
-it was to make the Marquis feel he was in reality
-now simply a prisoner and nothing more. So he
-lodged at St. Jerome, and was narrowly watched,
-for fear he should take it into his head to escape;
-and this did not add to his comfort or his peace of
-mind.
-
-Felipa was thus left to the care of old Catalina,
-and Captain Morgan troubled himself very little
-about them, meaning in the near future to make
-the Marquis ransom his own child from supposed
-captivity.
-
-Though glad enough to be left alone, the trio
-were yet much puzzled as to how they were to get
-enough daily food. Andreas no longer came to the
-balcony in answer to Etta's soft whistling, so they
-concluded that he must have either escaped or been
-killed. The guards placed below were all rough
-men of various nationalities whom Catalina dared
-not ask for food; and she and her charges began to
-understand that they were as much prisoners as if
-they had been in the dungeons below. Catalina
-had been able to secrete a small quantity of Indian
-corn and to bake some cakes with it; but now this
-was finished, what was to be done?
-
-One day, when all the food was gone, Etta,
-creeping out into the passage once more to see
-if Andreas would come or answer her whistling,
-heard the loud tones of Captain Morgan giving
-some order. Forgetting Catalina's strict
-injunctions not to go below, forgetting everything but
-that Felipa was crying from hunger, and that she
-herself was only restrained by her English pride
-from doing the same, she ran down as quickly
-as she could to the hall where some twenty men
-were tramping about bringing in the evening meal,
-and Captain Morgan was listening to a messenger
-who had just entered.
-
-Etta was quite reckless now, even though the
-men raised a shout at her appearance, crying out,
-'Here comes the little English wench,' and one
-said: 'Ay, but she's got bonnie golden hair and
-looks ready for a gambol.' But the girl took no
-heed, and, running up to Captain Morgan, insisted
-this time on being heard.
-
-'Captain Morgan, prithee, will you let us starve
-up there? We are all so very, very hungry! It is
-cruel of you; and meseems it is very unlike an
-Englishman to starve his prisoners.'
-
-The Captain received this burst of eloquence
-with loud laughter; and, turning to the messenger,
-said:
-
-'Marry! good Smith, do you hear the maid?
-She says it is not right that any one should starve in
-this place; and, by my faith, when you bring me
-such good news I think she is right. We will
-give a feast to-day to every soul in the castle.
-But in truth, bold maid, I bade that lame fellow
-see after your provender, and now, methinks, he
-has gone to Chagres and forgotten all about you.
-Here, Mings, send up a royal feast to the fair
-ladies, and a few bottles of good wine besides to
-drink our health in. And mind you, little cinder
-witch, to tell your Spanish friends that it is all in
-honour of the taking of Chagres. By the way,
-Smith, what has become of my godson and of the
-young Spaniard?'
-
-Etta stood speechless as she heard the terrible
-news. Where was Carlo, and what would he do?
-
-'By my troth, Captain, I know only that
-neither of them has been seen since the taking of
-the castle; so either they were killed in the skirmish
-or they have hidden themselves somewhere.'
-
-Captain Morgan frowned.
-
-'Brodely will have to answer for the safety of
-both lads. If they have escaped we shall soon catch
-them, and then---- And how many men did we
-lose? I would such valiant fellows were cudgel-proof.'
-
-'A hundred bodies were counted before I left;
-and as to the wounded, that will add another
-seventy; but we have taken much rich stuff, and
-ammunition enough to serve for our next
-expedition, not to mention Don Alvarez's lady, whose
-ransom will be a fortune.'
-
-'That will be my affair,' said the Captain
-grandly. 'Will they send the prisoners here at
-once?'
-
-Etta waited to hear no more; but though her
-expedition had procured them a dinner such as
-they had not enjoyed for a long time, yet they
-could not help shedding many tears over it. Their
-grand hopes as to Don Alvarez were crushed; and,
-worse still, what had become of Carlo? Not a ray
-of hope seemed now left to them.
-
-
-
-
-
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-.. _`IN THE WOODS`:
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- CHAPTER XV.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- IN THE WOODS.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-But as when the night is darkest the
-dawn is near at hand, so the sorrowful
-prisoners were not left altogether
-without comfort for long, even though this
-comfort was in itself a sad one. One evening,
-three days after Etta had heard the news in
-the hall, Felipa lay wearily on the couch beside
-the open window, vainly longing to get out and
-breathe the pure air in what had once been her
-lovely garden, but which was now sadly trampled
-over.
-
-The poor girl looked much changed, and it was
-all Catalina and Etta could do to keep her from
-spending most of her time in weeping silently.
-She would not touch her guitar, and seemed to be
-fretting her life away. These three days had also
-made a great difference in her appearance. She
-kept constantly asking where Carlo was, what
-could have become of him; and patient Etta, with
-ready invention, tried to find answers for her friend
-which might calm her for a little while. As to
-Catalina, she could only moan and bewail their
-evil fortune, and wish every bad thing she could
-imagine to overtake the pirates.
-
-'If I could but go out,' sighed Felipa, 'I could
-find Carlo. I am sure he must be hidden away in
-the forest. But come quickly, Etta: see, who is
-coming in; some of the soldiers? Yes, yes; they
-are Spanish soldiers, and they are certainly coming
-to save us.'
-
-'Hush, dear Felipa; don't you see that they
-are themselves guarded? no, these must be the
-prisoners from Chagres, and--oh, yes--here are
-some women and---- Surely--yes, it is Doña Elena!'
-
-Felipa clapped her hands for joy, causing the
-lady to look up; and then the sight of her aunt's sad
-face made the girl suddenly draw back. In truth
-it was Doña Elena; but how changed she was!
-The face that looked out from beneath her black
-veil was hardly recognisable.
-
-In spite of this, Felipa was all excitement to
-know if her aunt would be allowed to come up
-to see them. Was she going to be left here, or what?
-
-These questions were soon answered, for in a
-few minutes Doña Elena was escorted to the
-sitting-room, and Felipa was soon sobbing on the
-motherly breast of her aunt, who, sad as she was
-herself, was shocked at the change in her little
-niece, whom she had last seen a merry, blooming
-girl running races with Etta and Carlo down the
-lovely green slopes of the tropical garden.
-
-'My poor darling! Ah, what sad troubles we
-have all been through! I can hardly believe it
-even now; but my dear husband died like a brave
-soldier. He was so noble, so true! Alas that such
-as he should be sacrificed! But as to our poor
-Carlo, I cannot find out what has become of him,
-though I have asked every one I came near. That
-terrible Captain has named such a price for my
-ransom that I must write to Spain for the money.
-My poor brother! When last did you see your
-father, Felipa? He has not been here, I am told;
-but they say he is at St. Jerome.'
-
-'You will stay with us, will you not, dear
-Aunt Elena? At least they will leave us this one
-comfort of being together. But where is Carlo?
-If only we could find out, I should be less unhappy.
-It is quite true that our father has not come here
-for days.'
-
-Doña Elena now told the party all she knew of
-Carlo and of his brave escape from the pirate
-boats in order to give his uncle warning. So that
-even though their talk was not cheerful the
-presence of the elder lady was a great comfort to the
-girls, and also to Catalina, who, good and faithful
-as she was, could not think out many difficult
-problems.
-
-That evening they had a last visit from Captain
-Morgan. He had finished his work of destruction,
-or had seen it well in train, and was now going off
-in great haste to Chagres to see for himself the
-treasures found there.
-
-'Now, Madam,' he said in Spanish to Doña
-Elena, 'you will stay here and await my return.
-I have named the sum that will give you your
-liberty, but till every piece of eight is paid you
-must consider yourself a prisoner. I am taking
-your brother Don Estevan del Campo and many of
-the people here away with me--for change of air,'
-he added, laughing, 'but he too will get his liberty
-when his ransom has been paid. As for his son, I
-hear now he escaped as no gentleman ought to do,
-and so----'
-
-'Carlo never gave his word,' said Etta, indignantly;
-'he told us he felt free to escape if he could.'
-
-'Well, well, you are over-bold, mistress, and it
-cannot be hunger now that forces you to plain-speaking.
-Prithee, courageous elf, have they brought
-you enough to eat since your foraging expedition?'
-
-Etta proudly muttered, 'Yes, Sir Captain, I
-was but defending the absent.' And evidently
-Captain Morgan admired her spirit, for he laughed all
-the more, as if she had said something very witty.
-
-'Marry, that may be; but mark you, if you
-know where the boy is hiding, tell him that every
-avenue of the castle will be watched during my
-absence, and none will enter or go forth from this
-island without the knowledge of my trusty men.
-My boy, young Harry Fenn, has disappeared, and
-yet I treated the lad as kindly as if he had been
-my own son; and, in faith, when they are found
-they will be taught to make less free use of their
-young legs. I beg to take my leave of you, ladies,
-and I have left orders for a good supply of food
-to be brought; but it were best to keep indoors, as
-I cannot answer for accidents. Some of my men
-are but foolish rangers, and know nothing of good
-manners beyond such as Dame Nature taught 'em.'
-
-'But prithee, Sir Captain, let me say good-bye
-to my father,' cried Felipa; and Doña Elena joined
-in the petition, adding rather bitterly--
-
-'My poor brother will long ago have found
-how wrong he was to trust you, bold Captain, and
-if you are taking him prisoner, at least let him bid
-farewell to his sister and his child.'
-
-The Captain had no time, however, to waste on
-farewells; he declared this boon was impossible to
-grant, as the Marquis had already been rowed out
-to the ship; but he assured the ladies that he hoped
-soon to be back, and that then they should hear
-great news. With this he went away as hastily as
-he had come, and the only comfort that could be
-extracted from this visit was the pleasure of seeing
-the Captain hurry forth from the great gate of
-Santa Teresa.
-
-Catalina's muttered farewell did not seem like
-blessings; but, though the chief was gone, there
-were yet many jailors left behind. The guards
-were doubled without, although so few were now
-left within the walls, every man that could be
-spared having been taken off to join the great and
-long-planned expedition to Panama. The Captain
-had considered that a score of men would be well
-able to guard two women and two girls. He was,
-however, more vexed than he cared to show at
-the disappearance of Carlo and Harry, and meant
-to make Captain Brodely pay dearly for his
-carelessness; even such a powerful man as the great
-buccaneer was not without his share of troubles,
-for it was only by keeping his men constantly
-employed in plunder or adventure that he could
-prevent mutiny and discontent.
-
-The sitting-room and the other rooms on the
-same floor were left to the ladies, the prisoners
-having been all taken elsewhere; so that Etta,
-utterly tired of the confinement of the two rooms,
-often crept out to the window above the balcony,
-where she could catch a sight of the bay, and from
-whence she saw the departure of the fleet. Every
-time she went she softly whistled the Indian notes,
-especially just before sundown, hoping to see Andreas.
-
-To-day, just as the last sound died away among
-the great rose bushes, Etta fancied she heard a very
-faint echo of her last note. She paused, straining
-her ears, then repeated the air again. There was
-the same echo. Surely it was, it must be, Andreas!
-She determined to return after sunset, but till then
-she would not mention her ideas, for fear of having
-been mistaken.
-
-Catalina was happier now that she was allowed
-the wherewithal to cook her meals, and she was
-never weary of trying to concoct some new dish
-out of the ordinary fare provided, in order to tempt
-poor Felipa, whose appetite was failing, though she
-had revived much since her aunt's arrival.
-
-Etta had been right. Soon after darkness had
-fallen, suddenly, on the lovely landscape, she heard
-the faint rustle of leaves below, and Andreas crept
-on to the balcony, looking somewhat like a brown
-snake.
-
-'Señorita, Heaven be praised that you have
-come! I wanted to tell you the news. The noble
-Señor Carlo is here in St. Catherine--he and the
-young Englishman who came with the pirates.'
-
-Etta hardly stifled a cry of joy.
-
-'Where are they? Quick, tell me, Andreas!
-But do they know the castle is watched, and that
-they will be taken if they are found?'
-
-'Yes, yes, but the Señor Carlo cannot come--in
-fact he is ill, very ill, Señorita; he has the fever. But
-we will cure him; the white man does not know
-the medicines the Indians use for the fever--these
-never fail.'
-
-'But how did they come here?'
-
-'I know not much of the story, for the English
-Señor cannot talk much Spanish, but they came
-by night; there was an Indian with them, or they
-would have been seen, but the Indians can see in
-the dark.'
-
-'How glad I am, dear Andreas! Do you
-want food, and where have you been all this time?
-I have been here so often hoping you would come.'
-
-'The English captain sent me to fetch horses and
-cattle. He watched me so that I could not come;
-but now they forget to keep watch. I will come
-again to-morrow, Señorita, at sunset. If the noble
-Señor Carlo gets better quickly, well; if not, then
-he must come into the castle.'
-
-'That would be impossible, Andreas,' said Etta;
-but Andreas smiled as he disappeared into the darkness.
-
-'But what is the use?' said Felipa, when she
-heard the wonderful news of her brother's return.
-'Carlo will die if he has only an Indian to nurse
-him; and if he gets well Captain Morgan will come
-and take him prisoner.'
-
-'That is not trusting the good God, Felipa darling,'
-said the noble Doña Elena. 'He will save our
-dear Carlo if he sees fit. Since my great trouble I
-have learnt more than ever to be resigned, and also
-to trust Him. Let us get a little bundle of linen
-ready, Catalina, to send it to Carlo by Andreas.
-Wherever they are, poor fellows, they will need that;
-and then let us hope for the best; we can do no more
-for them.'
-
-The next evening Doña Elena accompanied
-Etta to the balcony; and when Andreas understood
-whom she was he explained that Carlo was better,
-but still very ill, and that the English Señorito
-was very anxious to get him removed to the castle,
-for they were in the thickest part of the forest, in a
-deserted Indian hut, and they had not enough good
-things for the sick Carlo.
-
-'If you could hide him I could bring him here
-to-morrow, noble lady: the guards watch the wrong
-places, and now that the whip is not visible the dogs
-keep but bad guard.'
-
-'We must chance it,' said Doña Elena, decidedly;
-'my poor Carlo must not die. We are never
-visited, except twice a day--certainly never after
-sunset, for the soldiers are afraid of this
-half-deserted house. They fancy it is haunted.'
-
-The two then went back to tell Catalina and
-Felipa the joyful news that Carlo was better and
-would come to them to be nursed. Then they
-discussed plans, and at last settled that they would
-put some blankets in the cupboard and only bring
-him out when the visits of the soldiers and the
-negroes were over.
-
-'If we must soon be separated, at least let us
-enjoy each other's company as long as possible,'
-said the brave Spanish lady; and Felipa looked up
-brightly and smiled more happily than she had done
-since her imprisonment.
-
-
-
-
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-.. _`WAITING FOR LUCK`:
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- CHAPTER XVI.
-
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- WAITING FOR LUCK.
-
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-
-Without Andreas Carlo never could
-have been carried safely into Santa
-Teresa; but the faithful Indian was
-wonderfully clever in warding off detection.
-The dogs had a harmless powder given to them,
-which stupefied them for the time being, and, the
-night being very dark, with Harry's help Carlo was
-lifted bodily on to the balcony and then carried to
-the ladies' room. Here kind, tender hands were
-ready with as many alleviations as were at their
-disposal.
-
-The soldiers were busy drinking and gambling
-below in the hall, and never imagined what was
-going on above, the evening visit of inspection
-having been paid. Carlo seemed to recognise his
-friends as Harry and Andreas laid him gently on
-the mattress, for he smiled and began to say
-something; but the effort caused him to become
-light-headed again, and Catalina and Doña Elena made
-every one leave the patient to their nursing. Etta
-had a great deal to say to Harry; she wanted to
-hear how he had been able to save Carlo from the
-clutches of the pirates, and how they had managed
-to land.
-
-'I can hardly understand myself how it was,'
-said Harry, simply. 'We nearly died of thirst, and
-had it not been for the Indian we could never have
-reached this place alive. Señor Carlo was often
-light-headed, and fancied he was still at Chagres,
-trying to repulse the attack, and I could only make the
-Indian understand me by signs. It was not easy to
-tell him that we must not land by daylight, and that
-our enemies would pounce upon us if they caught
-us, but that we had friends if only we could reach
-them. Luckily we did manage it, and the first
-person who discovered us was this faithful Andreas,
-and after that you should have heard how the
-two Indians did discuss us! We have hidden
-the canoe and the Indian, for I was obliged to
-defer the promised reward till we had seen you,
-Señorita.'
-
-'My father hid a great deal of treasure in the
-woods,' said Felipa, 'so we can easily pay the Indian.
-Andreas knows the hiding-place, for my father
-recognised how trustworthy he is.' Felipa soon
-explained to Andreas how much of the money he was
-to get; only, great precautions must be taken so as
-not to be seen or followed by the dogs, which the
-English pirates would most likely set on the track
-if they had the least suspicion of hidden treasure.
-
-'But you, Harry, what can you do?' asked
-Etta, who did indeed feel proud of her countryman,
-for she guessed that, though he made light of his
-adventures, he had gone through much suffering
-for the sake of a stranger.
-
-'I mean to hide in these woods till I get a
-chance of escaping; after what has happened I can
-never go back to Captain Morgan. Andreas is so
-grateful for what I have been able to do for the
-Señor Carlo that he says I may stay in the hut.
-If a ship were to touch here, I would work my
-passage back to Europe; but that *if* is doubtful,
-Mistress Etta.'
-
-'But you will take me too if the Captain will let
-me come on board?' asked Etta. 'Now Felipa has
-her aunt she would let me go back to my own
-country, for the pirates have taken the Marquis, and
-so I need not ask him. In England, I shall never
-again be in dire terror of my life.'
-
-Harry did not like to explain to the eager girl
-that there was but little probability of his being able
-to take her on board. The idea was so delightful
-to Etta that she hardly knew how to contain her joy.
-
-'And you will see your home again, and your
-father and mother; and you will ask them to let me
-stay with them till I hear from my uncle. Mr. Aylett
-will write for me--I seem to know him
-already from all you have said of him.'
-
-Harry took a small prayer-book from his pocket.
-
-'Look, Mistress Etta: this book has often
-reminded me of my dear master; I have had it with
-me all the time. I happened to have it with me
-on the evening when I was taken prisoner--I was
-to learn the Gospel for the next Sunday to repeat
-to Mr. Aylett. I little thought then how precious
-the book would appear to me. Do you ever read
-the Psalms of David and the Gospels, Mistress Etta?'
-
-Etta shook her head.
-
-'On Sundays I go to church with Felipa; I once
-told the Padre I was no Papist, but he said I had
-better pray to God with Felipa, and that in time
-I should be shown the right way. Then I cannot
-read English very easily, for we have no English
-books here, only I read the precious letters left me
-by my mother, till I know them all by heart. In
-truth I will never be a Papist, nor forget that I am
-English.'
-
-Etta turned over the leaves of Harry's book
-with great care and admiration, whilst he read
-over the collect to her which began 'Lord of all
-power and might,' which Etta, much delighted, said
-she could remember.
-
-'Without this I should sometimes have forgotten
-when Sunday came round,' added Harry,
-smiling; 'for Captain Morgan's men made but
-little difference between week-days or the Lord's
-Day, save now and then they had extra rations and
-more spirits. Good-night, Mistress Etta. I see
-Andreas wishes me to go with him, but I will come
-again to unloose my tongue, as my speech will be
-limited in the woods, and mayhap I shall turn into
-a wild man such as our sailors speak of; but
-Andreas says he will teach me how to shoot with
-poisonous arrows.'
-
-From this time there was much less dulness up
-in the dwelling-room at Santa Teresa, and if they
-might have gone out, the girls would not have been
-very unhappy, except as to Carlo's state of health.
-For many days he hovered between life and death,
-and Etta had to act as sentinel, being most quick
-at hearing the distant steps of the soldier who
-brought them their daily portion of food. There
-was no more starvation now, the point being to
-keep the prisoners in good health; for death would
-have deprived their jailors of the much-expected
-ransoms.
-
-How eagerly every morning the little party
-inquired for news, which the soldier was not loth to
-give! Captain Morgan was on his way to Panama;
-he had twelve hundred men with him; they had
-scarce victuals, and had sent back a boat to
-St. Catherine for more maize and Indian corn; the
-men were only allowed one pipe of tobacco; the
-Captain was determined to take the town, but he
-was in sore straits about victuals; they must
-conquer or starve; and so on.
-
-The little party hoped much that the pirates
-never would reach Panama, and that other
-misfortunes might befal them; only, not knowing if
-the Marquis were with them, it was difficult to wish
-they might all die of hunger.
-
-In the evening Harry would come and amuse
-Carlo, for as the days passed slowly on the boy
-gradually began to mend. He would tell him of
-his hunting with Andreas, and how sometimes they
-had near escapes of being discovered; but that the
-men left behind had enough to do to guard the few
-fortresses remaining, and thought, besides, more
-about watching the bays for possible enemies than
-of hunting the forest. One day the Doña Elena
-herself asked Harry to tell her all he knew of her
-brave husband's last hours, and he recounted simply
-what he had seen. Carlo was sitting up, propped
-with pillows, looking pale, but far different from
-what he had been a fortnight before; and he joined
-in the request, saying:
-
-'When I last saw my dear uncle he was just
-starting to help some twenty men who were
-defending an important post.'
-
-'Yes, and that was where I saw him,' added
-Harry. 'I was bent on gaining an entrance into the
-castle, so that I might, if possible, save you and
-your uncle. I had tried to pass over some portions
-of burning wall, for I had seen the pirates rush
-through, regardless of the danger; but though I
-tried twice, the flames drove me back each time;
-so, at last, climbing along the side of the mountain,
-I caught sight of the men making a dash for this
-special breach. I could not help admiring their
-pluck, though the cause was bad enough. I came
-up just as they carried the position, in spite of the
-fierce resistance they met. Following them through
-the breach, I saw that this last effort would most
-likely end in the capture of the castle; for I noticed
-several Spanish soldiers throw themselves over the
-parapet rather than fall into the pirates' hands alive.
-They would not ask for quarter--indeed, it would
-not have been granted. Just then I met a fellow
-who was badly wounded, and I asked him if he
-knew whether the Governor were taken, or what
-had become of him. This man told me Don
-Alvarez had retired to the Corps-du-Garde, and
-was defending it like a lion. So, never thinking
-of danger, I hastened in the direction to which he
-pointed, and beheld a scene I shall never forget.
-Don Alvarez was standing at the head of a flight
-of steps, and round him and below him were some
-thirty men. The pirates had double the number
-of men, and saw it was only a question of time,
-and that a short one. I was looking everywhere
-for you, Señor Carlo, and, not seeing you, I was just
-going to hurry away, when I heard a sharp report,
-and then a yell of anger; and, looking back, I saw
-the noble Don Alvarez fall forward, struck through
-the heart with a musket-shot. I knew that I had
-not then a moment to lose; and, meeting a fugitive
-Spaniard, I asked him to tell me where the young
-nephew of the Governor had last been seen, for I
-was none of the enemy. He hardly believed me;
-but pointed to some spot behind the church; and
-the rest you know, Señor Carlo.'
-
-'If it had not been for you, Harry Fenn, I must
-have been caught at last, or else died of that fever.
-I wish my uncle had lived to hear of it and to
-reward you, but when my----' Poor Carlo paused;
-he, could not appeal to his father, for all that history
-was one he could not bear to think about; so he
-added, 'When I am a man I will give you
-whatever you like to ask of me.'
-
-'There is nothing to thank me for,' said Harry,
-laughing; 'in running away with you I was but
-doing what I had planned for a long time. You
-see, I promised Mistress Etta to help her back to
-her own country; and to do that I must e'en get
-back first myself.'
-
-'And you, Aunt Elena,' said Felipa, 'shall you
-really have to pay the large ransom? It does seem
-hard to be deprived of one's home and then have
-to pay the wicked men who have made one
-unhappy and miserable.'
-
-'We must not complain, Felipa, for nothing
-would be allowed to happen unless God saw that
-it was for our good. If I could have seen my
-poor brother I should have taken counsel with
-him; but I must resign myself to a long captivity
-till the money can come from Spain.'
-
-'Then why should you not go and fetch it
-yourself, noble lady?' said Harry. 'If I were you, I
-would not stay here longer than I could help; for if
-Captain Morgan were killed the pirates might choose
-another captain who would not treat you as civilly
-as he does.'
-
-'But there is little chance of one of our ships
-being able to come into port here,' said Carlo.
-'Andreas told me that the bays were very closely
-watched.'
-
-'What I most fear is the return of the victorious
-pirates,' said Harry, thoughtfully. 'If we hear news
-of the taking of the city of Panama, I think we
-must try and escape, or at all events get to some
-Spanish settlement whence they will send us on.'
-
-So they talked and planned, but could do
-nothing at present except wait patiently, Harry
-promising to keep a sharp look-out for any ship
-flying the Spanish colours, adding:
-
-'I fancy the Captain will certainly take the rich
-city if it is at all possible, and after seeing the
-attack on Chagres I can believe these bold men
-capable of taking even a large place, especially when
-driven to great straits by hunger. I was by when
-the Captain made all his men sign the articles of
-common agreement between them, and in that they
-bound themselves to obey him and to do their
-utmost to carry out all his plans.'
-
-'The selfish robbers!' cried Catalina, indignantly.
-'Heard you anything else of importance,
-young Englishman?'
-
-'But very little,' answered Harry, rubbing his
-forehead and trying to recall what had passed on
-the pirate vessel. 'Every captain was to have the
-share of eight men; the surgeon, besides his pay, was
-to have two hundred pieces of eight for his chest of
-medicaments, and other officers in some such-like
-proportion. But I remember that for the loss of
-both legs in battle the unfortunate buccaneer was
-to receive fifteen hundred pieces of eight, and he
-was to get still more for the loss of both hands.'
-
-'All these ravages should be put an end to by
-the sovereigns who own these people. All nations
-of Europe have joined in it; and it is high time it
-were stopped,' said Doña Elena Alvarez. 'But
-now, kind Harry, it is time you went away, for
-Carlo is tired and must go to bed.'
-
-'It is so dark to-night that I wonder how you
-will find your way to the hut,' said Etta.
-
-'I have been making a store of candles from
-the Bois-de-Chandel. Andreas showed me how
-the Indians prepare it. Truly, how my parents
-would laugh to see me in an Indian hut! But I
-have to be careful of shading my light, for Andreas
-says we must not trust the negroes, and they often
-wander at night when the fancy seizes them.'
-
-With this Harry slipped away; and Etta went
-with him so as to close the window and secure it
-when he had let himself down from the balcony.
-
-
-
-
-
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-
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- CHAPTER XVII.
-
-
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- DISCOVERED.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-At last, after what seemed to him a long,
-weary time, Carlo began to feel stronger,
-so that the difficulty to conceal him
-became much greater, the high-spirited
-boy finding confinement quite unbearable. His
-aunt and Catalina now suffered much anxiety on
-account of his rashness, and as contact with danger
-soon makes people forget it Carlo would often slip
-out even before sunset and go off to the woods to
-find Harry. He used to get over at the old spot,
-which was not now guarded, and then, following
-the Indian trail, he and Harry managed to amuse
-themselves in the woods. True, he would slip back
-again, looking more rosy and more cheerful; but
-Catalina was always saying that some day the rash
-boy would repent of his want of prudence. As it
-was, if it had not been for the vigilance of Andreas
-even the lazy guards must have had their suspicions
-aroused. One day Andreas arrived at the Indian
-hut just as the two, who were now fast friends, were
-preparing their arrows to go hunting for pigeons,
-which Carlo took home to Catalina to cook so as
-to make a change in their bill of fare.
-
-'There you are, Andreas! You are just in time
-to go with us,' exclaimed Carlo.
-
-'No, Señor, I must be back at the compound
-in half an hour; but I have just heard much news,
-and I came to tell you. The Frenchman Simon
-has just landed, and brings tidings from Chagres,
-where men have arrived telling of the taking of
-Panama. The Frenchman has brought several
-officers with him who were wounded, but are now
-better; and I fear these guards will have their
-eyes opened wider than the men now in charge.'
-
-'Have they really taken Panama?' exclaimed
-Harry and Carlo; and the latter added, 'That is
-indeed a feat I had not expected--though you
-did, Harry. But did you hear any particulars,
-Andreas?'
-
-'They are very full of all sorts of stories, but I
-fancy they are not all true--how in one place
-they boiled leathern bags to eat and were at death's
-door for want of food. After ten days of incredible
-hardships they came in sight of the city, and there
-they engaged in very severe fighting. But the
-terror of their name did more for them than even
-their valour, for they were but a handful compared
-with the Spaniards.'
-
-'But what of the poor city?' said Harry, when
-Carlo had translated the news to him.
-
-'The city was set fire to, which must have been
-a great and sad sight. I was once there--when
-Padre Pietro took me as a boy--and I saw the great
-merchants' houses, those belonging to the Genoese
-being the finest; and as for the convents and the
-private dwellings, the churches--ah, they could not
-be numbered.'
-
-'But the pirates will have enough gold and to
-spare,' said Carlo; 'perhaps they will now let my
-father go free.'
-
-'The thirst for gold seems never satisfied,'
-answered Harry, 'and the worst is when they
-divide the spoil; there is a great deal of quarrelling
-over it, and I have seen them fight to the death
-over a few pieces of eight.'
-
-'The Frenchman Simon declares that they
-have taken a great deal of gold and many slaves,
-and that when the Captain has settled everything
-he will return here and make it so strong that no
-enemy will ever be able to retake it. The orders
-are that the work is to begin at once, and that the
-ladies are to be taken great care of, as he will
-settle the final ransom when he comes back. That
-makes me tremble for your safety, Señorito; it
-would, perhaps, be more prudent to hide in the
-secret passage.'
-
-'Then I may as well be taken by the pirates,
-Andreas. I was stifled before in that odious hole.
-No, no; let me keep my liberty as long as I can.
-I promise I will keep a sharp look-out for this
-Simon. Now let us have a little fun; we try so
-hard to shoot the arrows as you do, Andreas, but
-we have had as yet but poor success.'
-
-'The Señorito was not born an Indian,' said
-Andreas, a little sadly. 'Before the white man
-came all these forests were our hunting-grounds;
-but there came good as well as evil with the
-strangers.' Then after a pause he added:
-
-'If you will follow me I can show you a spot
-that few know how to reach.'
-
-The boys were only too glad to comply, and
-Andreas took out of a hiding-place in the hut a
-curious blow-pipe, which was a reed from ten to
-eleven feet in length.
-
-'You will take my bow, Señor, and we shall see
-who will shoot the farthest.'
-
-Harry examined this new kind of weapon with
-great curiosity. There was no appearance of knot
-or joint in it; only the end which was to be applied
-to the mouth was tied round with small silk grass
-cord. The arrows which Andreas next produced
-for his blow-pipe were nine or ten inches long,
-made out of the leaf of a palm-tree, and as sharp as
-a needle.
-
-'An inch of the pointed end is poisoned, whilst
-the opposite end is burned to make it hard,' said
-Andreas, exhibiting these beautifully made arrows;
-'and this white stuff is the wild cotton. See, this
-quiver will hold five hundred such. Now come,
-but you must tread softly as a cat.'
-
-He led through an intricate path in the midst
-of the dense forest. Harry would never have
-expected to find any human being able to thread
-through such a tangled mass; but Carlo knew what
-were the powers of Andreas in this respect. Then
-suddenly the Indian stopped; he looked up into
-the tall branches above him, and, putting his
-blow-pipe to his mouth, he collected his breath for the
-fatal puff. Two feet from the end of the tube two
-teeth of the acouri were fastened, and these served
-Andreas for a sight. As Andreas lifted the pipe
-the boys waited in breathless silence; then, suddenly
-and swiftly, the arrow flew unerringly upwards.
-Had it missed? Harry thought so at first; but no:
-there was a flutter, and then a pajui, an excellent
-game-bird, came falling heavily to the ground.
-
-'Capital!' cried Harry; 'I don't believe I could
-do that.' He was going to pick up the bird, but
-Andreas stopped him, and Carlo cried out:
-
-'Take care, Harry. Andreas will know how
-to handle the bird; you might touch the poisoned
-point. This wourali is such a strange thing, though
-it does not hurt the flesh of the bird in the least.'
-
-Andreas smiled to see Harry's astonishment,
-and, handing him the blow-pipe, told him to try
-what he could do, as he himself had to return to
-the compound; but, as can be easily imagined,
-Harry's breath was not equal to sending an arrow
-three hundred feet into the air; he would require
-many years of practice before he could rival the
-Indian's dexterity.
-
-After much excitement the two returned to
-the hut, Carlo thinking it safer to stay some time
-in the wood after nightfall to make sure the coast
-would be clear before his return to Santa Teresa.
-
-By the light of their one candle the young
-Spaniard usually gave Harry lessons in Spanish
-out of a book he had brought from the castle; and
-Harry, having heard a great deal of that tongue
-spoken by the pirates, was an apt pupil. After the
-lesson they fell to talking about the chances Harry
-had of finding an English ship, and Carlo a Spanish
-one. Certainly the effort ought to be made before
-the chance of Captain Morgan's return; but how
-was it to be done? For Andreas' canoe was too
-slight to trust on the sea, and was, moreover,
-much in need of repair. This evening after their
-discussion Carlo added:
-
-'I have been talking to Andreas about the caves
-which lie on the bigger island; but how are we to
-get the girls and my aunt to them, not to mention
-dear old Catalina, whom we could not leave behind?
-The bridge is well guarded, and we have no boat to
-go by water; besides, we should be sure to be taken
-by one of the pirate ships. Whichever way I look,
-escape seems impossible. Then, too, the thought
-of my father makes me sad; he has suffered so
-much that I cannot feel angry with him now as I
-did at first.'
-
-'Never say die, Señor; that is English advice, and
-it serves the purpose of making one feel ashamed
-of giving way to despair. I know there is little
-chance for any of us, and yet I do go on hoping
-still. God has allowed me to escape so far, and I
-mean to keep up a brave heart. At night I dream
-of my home, and actually the other evening I woke
-up telling my father about the capture of Chagres
-Castle. I was deeply disappointed to find myself
-alone in this hut, I assure you. But prithee,
-Señor Carlo, it is time you returned; the Señora
-will be anxious about you, and will fancy you are
-in danger of new horrors.'
-
-Carlo agreed, though he was sorry to leave
-Harry in such uncomfortable quarters; but the
-latter answered, laughing:
-
-'I am hardy by nature, and I have learnt now
-to be able to sleep on any bed, even Mother Earth's
-hardest mattress; and besides, Señor Carlo, I feel
-more secure here than if I were in your gruesome
-hole in the castle. Give my duty to my countrywoman,
-and tell her I am carving her a whistle to
-wear at her girdle when she is once more free to flit
-hither and thither at her pleasure.'
-
-Carlo made his way very cautiously out of the
-forest for fear of meeting any stray dogs that might
-be prowling round. But all was quiet and silent
-as he crept up to the breach, which the pirates had
-never yet taken the trouble to repair. Whether
-Andreas' warnings had made him more nervous, or
-whether he were trying to be more watchful, he could
-not tell; but as he approached the verandah he
-fancied he heard a slight noise among the bushes.
-He paused, and the sound ceased; then he made
-a few steps forward, and, hearing nothing more, he
-cautiously climbed up the verandah and swung
-himself as usual over the low balcony. The
-window was left open, and before closing it he
-looked down into the bushes. Once again he
-fancied he heard a soft stir, but the darkness
-prevented him seeing anything more than a slight
-waving motion among the great rose-bushes.
-
-In the sitting-room everything looked as usual.
-Felipa was bending over some embroidery as if
-she were still the little mistress of Santa Teresa,
-and Etta's face looked flushed with excitement as
-she fixed her blue eyes intently on a palm-leaf
-basket she was weaving, which work Andreas had
-taught her long ago.
-
-'Carlo, look!' she cried. 'I have had a mishap
-with two baskets, but this one shall succeed. How
-have you fared to-day, and did Harry Fenn have
-good sport?'
-
-'Andreas gave him a lesson on the blow-pipe,
-and I can tell you your Englishman opened his
-eyes wide. But what of the Frenchman, Señora?
-Have you seen him?'
-
-'No; but we heard a bustle in the hall, and the
-soldier who came this evening said we should have
-a visitor to-morrow.'
-
-'Has Harry Fenn heard of any ship in our
-neighbourhood?' said Doña Elena, anxiously.
-'Catalina says this Frenchman has a bad name,
-and that she fears you will be discovered if they
-set a stronger guard; so do be careful, my poor
-Carlo.'
-
-Carlo thought of the noise he had heard in the
-bushes, and wondered if he had already been seen
-and betrayed; but he deemed it wiser not to
-mention this.
-
-'One thing I swear,' he said suddenly: 'they
-shall not separate us again. Felipa, say you will
-follow where I lead, little sister. If we must die,
-let us at least die together.'
-
-'Indeed I will, Carlo, for I am weary of being
-a prisoner,' she answered with a sigh; and Doña
-Elena, looking up, saw a strange look of pain and
-sadness pass over the girl's face.
-
-Suddenly Etta sprang from the low couch on
-which she was sitting and put her finger on her
-lips.
-
-'Carlo! Carlo!' she whispered, 'hide quickly!
-Catalina, help him--I hear steps. Make haste,
-prithee, make haste!'
-
-Carlo listened, but heard nothing, only Etta's
-hand pushed him towards the cupboard door, and
-to please her he retreated. Poor much-tried Doña
-Elena turned pale, whilst Felipa drew near to her;
-for now all of them heard distinctly the steps. In
-two more minutes, after an impatient knock, the
-expected Frenchman entered, and his quick glances
-took in the party as he made a profound bow, and said:
-
-'Good! the Señora and the Doña Elena Alvarez,
-the nurse and the English girl--that was
-as the Captain said. Good-evening, ladies. I
-suppose you have not heard that the young Señor
-Carlo has returned to the island, and that he is now
-secreted in the wood?'
-
-'My nephew is not likely to keep in the woods
-when we are here,' said Doña Elena, with great
-presence of mind.
-
-'That may or may not be; but Captain Morgan
-is coming back in a few days, Madame, and he
-sent word that you would all be ransomed or sold
-as slaves. The young Señor was especially to be
-well cared for if he landed here. And I fancy
-I have heard something of such an event.' Then
-he added: 'Perhaps that old Spanish woman could
-tell something about him if we were to ask her
-questions below.'
-
-Doña Elena rose to her full height.
-
-'You must first kill me before you touch our
-faithful Catalina. Leave my presence, Monsieur.'
-
-'Well, well, don't be angry, Doña Elena: to-morrow
-is time enough. As for to-night, we will
-have a hunt with the dogs in the forest and see
-for ourselves. Good-night, ladies.'
-
-
-
-
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-.. _`HUNTING A FUGITIVE`:
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- CHAPTER XVIII.
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- HUNTING A FUGITIVE.
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-When Carlo was gone Harry went on
-with his lesson; and then, feeling
-somewhat weary after his expedition, he
-prepared his bed, which preparation
-consisted merely in fastening up an Indian
-hammock that Andreas had made for him. And as he
-did so he could not help thinking of his
-comfortable bed at home, and of the love which had been
-his from childhood till the day he was kidnapped.
-The thought of his parents was always a very
-sorrowful one to Harry. Ah, if only he could
-escape! and then, once in England, he would hunt
-up Etta Allison's uncle and make him send for his
-niece. But the 'if' was not likely to be fulfilled.
-
-Next, Harry cooked his supper, and this was
-also a very simple affair; he lit a tiny fire in a
-space within the hut between a few bricks, and
-allowed the smoke to find its way out by a small
-hole at the side of the hut. After baking his
-maize cake he quickly extinguished his fire, as
-smoke was a real element of danger even in this
-thick forest.
-
-As he now ate his very modest meal, thinking
-over the plenteous fare in the home-farm, he could
-not help dwelling on the thought of bright-eyed Etta.
-
-'She has the sweetest face I ever clapt eyes on,'
-he thought, 'and her hair is like golden light on a
-thistle-down. How my mother would be made
-glad with her sweet speecheries! Nay, but when
-I get back--if God wills I ever do get back--then
-I will e'en come here again and fetch
-her away, if so be her uncle will not do it.
-In truth I will; and then I will ask her to be my
-wife, and she will be the comforting of the old
-people, for she has such brave, sweet, winning ways,
-and has far more courage than the pretty Spanish
-girl, who could be turned about whichever way the
-wind blew, and has, besides, no pretty witcheries.'
-
-Harry, having thus settled his own future, took
-out his little prayer-book and read a gospel, thinking
-as he did so of Mr. Aylett, and wondering, as he had
-done many and many a time, what his friend had
-thought when he had heard of his disappearance.
-Now and then he half feared whether he had fancied
-that he had gone willingly with the freebooters;
-and this idea troubled him; but at other times he
-put it away as impossible.
-
-Harry was about to kneel down to say his
-prayers--which worship seemed only natural in the
-midst of this beautiful forest with the spreading
-palms, and the Bois Chataigne opening its petals
-in the darkness and the many other forest giants--when
-suddenly he heard Andreas' very faint whistle,
-although in the deep silence of solitude he had not
-noticed his approach--indeed nothing around him
-but well-known sounds, such as distant notes of a
-few birds.
-
-Harry started up, and would have called out,
-but remembered caution, so that he even put out
-his light before he opened the door. He was glad
-enough now that Carlo's lessons helped him to
-understand Andreas' meaning, if not quite all his
-words.
-
-'Quick, Señor, and quiet; this place is no longer
-safe: they are going to beat through the forest with
-the dogs to-night. They fancy you are the Señorito;
-but, thank God, he is safe, at least for to-night.
-Follow quickly, but first take everything away from
-the hut.'
-
-With quick dexterity the Indian unswung the
-hammock and rolled up in it the few properties
-that were in the hut; then, placing this on his head,
-he led the way forward, plunging yet deeper into
-the wood. Harry followed as best he could,
-enduring patiently many a scratch from sharp prickles
-and thorns, and many a bruise and tumble. 'Wait
-a moment, Señor,' said Andreas after a time; 'I will
-put this bundle in this stream and drag it down
-some way; the dogs will then lose the scent. Give
-me your hand: we must wade up this streamlet.
-Ah, Señor, it is a cruel sport, hunting the human
-being with fierce dogs. In the old days the
-Spaniards hunted down the poor Indians--when I was
-a boy I have seen them--and now the white men
-hunt each other.' Then, with a low chuckle, Andreas
-added, 'I have made the dogs stupid with my
-powder; they will be very slow; but I dared not stupefy
-them altogether for fear of discovery. Now, Señor
-here is your hiding-place; I know you can climb.
-This big trunk would shelter many men, but it is
-a secret few know of. The Indians made the
-retreat long ago, and many a poor hunted being
-has found safety here.'
-
-Harry did as he was bid, and with a good deal
-of help, which he would have despised had it been
-light, he found himself half-way up a great trunk,
-now hollow in parts, and showing that decay had
-set its hand there. When they had reached this
-position Andreas crept through a tiny aperture, and
-the two found themselves in a small room in the
-huge hollow tree. The hand of man had made a
-floor and roofed it in, so that there was a hollow
-tree above and a hollow tree below. It was so
-beautifully contrived that when the door was opened
-it could be fastened from within and leave no mark
-of its being a door on the outside, whilst a hole in the
-ceiling would let in air and a small amount of light.
-Andreas smiled at Harry's exclamations of
-surprise and admiration.
-
-'The Señor will be safe here if the dogs do not
-pick up the scent again; if they do, see, here is a
-bow and arrow and some big stones. Don't let
-any one climb up, but do not open the door unless
-you are sure you are discovered; they will look up
-the hollow tree but will see nothing.'
-
-Andreas did not wait to be thanked, and, with
-another warning not to open the door, he slipped
-down, and was soon purposely making a false scent
-to another hiding-place known to some of the
-Indians who might be employed by the pirates to
-scour the forest for Carlo.
-
-Andreas crept back to the castle an hour later,
-just as the party organised by Sieur Simon was
-about to start, and, pretending he was awakened
-by the noise, he crept out of his hut near the
-compound and offered to join the party. His services
-would most likely have been accepted had not a
-negro told the Frenchman that Andreas was very
-fond of the young Señor and that he would be of
-no use.
-
-Simon, always on the look-out for treachery,
-told Andreas to go back to his compound, and
-that when Captain Morgan returned it would then
-be seen if the Indian knew anything of the runaway
-Carlo.
-
-It was an awful procession which Andreas
-watched issuing out of the gate of Santa Teresa.
-The dusky forms of the negroes with their black
-woolly heads, their thick lips grinning at the idea of
-an exciting chase, holding in the fierce baying dogs
-with long leashes, and accompanying by blows
-their unearthly howling, and behind these again
-some ruffianly-looking pirates taking their orders
-from the slight, crafty-looking Frenchman.
-
-Then at last all was ready, and with another
-long howl of cruel eagerness both men and dogs
-rushed down the steep mountain-side.
-
-Faithful Andreas had still some work to do; he
-knew how anxious Doña Elena would be, and that
-in truth even Carlo was in great danger. The
-Indian sat by his hut for some time, thinking of
-some plan of escape, knowing well that Captain
-Henry Morgan, once back, would make short work
-of any fugitives hidden in the woods. Not arriving
-at any satisfactory solution, Andreas climbed up to
-the balcony, and, unfastening the window, he stole
-softly to the door of the ladies' room.
-
-As he had expected, there was still a light
-burning. The ladies had been too much afraid of
-what was going to happen to have the heart to go to
-bed; besides, their presence in the chamber guarded
-Carlo's hiding-place. Suppose the dogs should
-trace him to the castle and into their very presence?
-The idea made them shudder. Carlo was still
-crouching on the top step of the secret staircase,
-and was not at all enjoying the situation, when
-Etta recognised Andreas' whistle and opened the
-door carefully to him.
-
-'What news, Andreas?' she said. 'Oh, it was
-dreadful! We heard the dogs baying; it made our
-blood run cold. Make haste and tell us all you
-know.'
-
-'But the Señor Carlo is safe?'
-
-'Yes, yes; but Harry Fenn--oh, will they find
-him?' exclaimed Etta, almost crying.
-
-'I hope not, Señorita; but there is much danger
-for all of you. If the noble Doña Alvarez will
-allow me, I will take counsel with the Señor for
-a few moments at least.'
-
-'Are you sure that dreadful Frenchman will
-not come back, Andreas? He made us tremble,
-for he looked so evil.'
-
-'At all events, not till the dogs return. As for
-the English Señor, he is safely hidden, if there can
-be any place safe from those beasts. Had he been
-in the hut, they would have had him in a very short
-time.'
-
-Carlo had now been let out by Catalina, and he
-and Andreas were soon deep in a quick, low-toned
-conversation. The danger for himself and Harry
-was great; most likely the pirates would not spare
-their lives after all that had happened; and still no
-ship was yet in sight.
-
-'I know but one way, Señor Carlo: there is a
-small desert island which is out of the track of the
-ships, and if we could steal a boat I could take you
-and the Señor Harry to it. If we could prepare
-everything we might start to-morrow at sunset. I
-will take care to keep back enough dried meat
-from the store and take a skin of water.'
-
-'But, Andreas, on your return you would be
-found out; and how could I leave my aunt and sister?'
-
-'The ladies will be safe if the ransoms can be
-paid; and as for myself, Andreas is cleverer than
-the Englishmen.' A sweet smile parted the
-faithful Indian's lips, and Carlo, who had often
-experienced this same boasted cleverness, believed
-him. 'And when Andreas returns he will look
-after the ladies; but for yourself, Señorito, there is
-great danger. They are bent upon finding you,
-and Coca the negro saw you, and betrayed you to
-the Frenchman for a sum of money.'
-
-This plan seemed the only one that could suggest
-itself to the two bold spirits. Harry Fenn's
-retreat could not long be kept a secret, as he must
-have food taken to him, and every visit to the tree
-of refuge made the discovery either by dogs or men
-more probable. What Andreas did not reveal,
-however, to Carlo was that for him this expedition
-was almost sure to lead to harm. His absence was
-certain to be discovered or betrayed, even though
-he meant to arrange during his absence for the
-well-being of the cattle under his charge; and if
-discovered Andreas knew that his life would be
-taken. He had faced the question, and had accepted
-the danger, for his love for Carlo was stronger than
-any fear of death.
-
-Carlo explained what had been decided upon,
-and though Felipa and Catalina both cried at the
-idea of the separation, Doña Elena saw that this
-plan was the only one which gave her nephew
-a chance of safety.
-
-'Ah, Andreas, God will reward you,' she said,
-taking the Indian's hand in hers; 'for we poor
-captives can but give you thanks.'
-
-Etta, who had been listening to all this, now
-added anxiously:
-
-'But, dear Carlo, suppose Andreas does not
-return, how can we ever find you or Harry?'
-
-'I will tell you, Señora,' said Andreas. 'You
-are right to ask, for the island has no name for the
-white men, and I never myself knew of a ship that
-stopped there. Give me some paper.'
-
-Taking the parchment-like pith, which was all
-the prisoners could procure to write on, Andreas
-roughly marked out with a thorn the position of
-the island with regard to its distance from
-St. Catherine, making clever indications to show
-where dangerous rocks were to be found, and on
-which side the island could be approached.
-
-'Keep that by you, Señorita, and if you can
-get away in a big ship, the Captain will understand
-where to find the Señor Carlo.' He then made
-his Indian salutation and departed, saying he had
-much to do before the next sunset, and that if all
-were well he would come and fetch the Señor
-Carlo the next evening; but, till then, he advised
-great care, for fear of discovery.
-
-It was, indeed, a very anxious day the family
-spent, but also a busy one. Felipa made a little
-needle-book for her brother; Etta plaited him a
-basket; and Catalina did up two blankets in as
-small a bundle as was possible: whilst Doña
-Elena unsewed some gold pieces she had secreted
-about her, and made a belt for Carlo, in which
-she hid this money, in case they sighted a ship
-and needed provisions or passage-money. Then,
-lastly, when the soldier's visit was over, and they
-had heard from him that the dog-hunt had not
-been successful, for the animals had lost the scent:
-but they meant to go again when the moon rose,
-being sure the young rascal was hidden somewhere
-in the woods, for a negro had seen him with his
-own eyes--then at last Carlo came out of his
-dismal hiding-place, and all together the prisoners
-earnestly prayed for a safe journey, and that God
-would save them out of the hands of their enemies.
-Felipa cried much as she kissed her brother, feeling
-sure she would never see him again; and Etta sent
-messages to Harry, saying he was not to forget her
-if he went home to England, and to tell her uncle
-of her; and, lastly, Catalina invoked every blessing
-which every saint could give on her dear
-foster-child. Then came Andreas' call; he had done
-wonders, having procured a boat, which he had
-hidden in a creek right at the foot of Santa Teresa,
-and where Harry now was awaiting them, hardly
-daring to move for fear of making the slightest
-noise and so attracting the guards. And thus
-once more, the friends were scattered.
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`IN A LONELY SPOT`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER XIX.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- IN A LONELY SPOT.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-The dark night happily favoured them;
-and what was also in their favour was
-the fact that Sieur Simon's boat lay at
-anchor, and his hoys had been plying
-backwards and forwards all the afternoon, making
-the men on guard pay but little attention to the
-gentle plash of the oars as Andreas and Harry
-sent the long boat shooting off into the bay. One
-thought distressed the faithful Andreas: he had
-done his best to lay in a store of food, but he knew
-it was a very inadequate provision if the boys were
-to be left long in the desert island.
-
-No one spoke for some time; then, when they
-had safely passed the ship, and were well out to
-sea, they had plenty to say to each other. Harry
-told how he had heard the baying of the dogs
-from his hiding-place; how they had come nearer
-and nearer, and he had felt a strange horror, which
-nothing else had ever given him before, at the idea
-of being torn in pieces by those blood-thirsty
-animals; then how the sounds had told him the
-dogs were close at hand, the shouting and yelling
-negroes urging them on, and the pirates mingling
-oaths with these cries as they were entangled in
-the scrub or the mangrove branches. Yes, and
-at last they had come close by, up to the foot of
-the tree, and had paused there as the baying dogs
-rushed round and round undecided, till one of them
-had evidently scented out the trail made by Andreas,
-and the negroes had hunted the dogs forward.
-Harry's face as he told the story still bore traces
-of the terrible ordeal he had passed through
-during those few moments of intense suspense.
-
-'I fancied before that I was brave, but I only
-know that when I heard those evil beasts I had no
-more courage left in me than a zany at a village
-fair; and when they had passed by, I lay on the
-floor of my hiding-place as if I were already dead.
-I have never before been in such dire terror of my
-life; but in truth such barbarous ways are not
-honest warfare.'
-
-'Yet I saw my father hunted down by wild
-dogs,' said Andreas, on whom this fact had made
-a lasting impression; and Carlo looked grave, for he
-knew well enough that his people it was who had
-perpetrated such cruelties on the gentle Indians, and
-that Spain would ever have to bear the shame of
-the first cruelties in the New World--cruelties
-which other nations had not been slow to adopt;
-till the black plague-spot had spread all over the
-fair lands and the newly discovered islands.
-
-All night they rowed hard, and when daylight
-came, and with it all the glory of the tropical
-sunrise, St. Catherine was no longer in sight; and
-unless any other knew the secret of the desert
-island and betrayed the knowledge to Sieur Simon,
-they were saved. Each in his own heart thanked God.
-
-Harry's face began to recover its more cheerful
-expression: he was not leaving his loved ones as
-was Carlo; but was this journey bringing him much
-nearer his own home?
-
-'When shall we sight this place?' asked Carlo
-wearily, when the sun beating down on their heads
-reminded him that he was now not nearly as
-strong as before his illness; 'and what do you call it,
-Andreas? It seems as if we were going to a land
-of nowhere.'
-
-'It has no name known to the white men,
-Señor; but my father, who took me there when I
-was a boy, always called it by an Indian name
-which meant "Queen of the Water," because of the
-one tall Jagua palm-tree which stands high and
-solitary on it, and can be seen from a long distance.'
-
-'Then we are already in sight,' said Harry
-suddenly. 'Look, Andreas, there, right ahead!
-You have come straight as an arrow.'
-
-This welcome news gave them fresh courage,
-and on they sped. Nearer and nearer they came;
-they could now discern the wild scrub bordering
-the sand on which the surf painted a long line
-of white foam; they could see the motion of the
-leaves as the soft breeze disturbed the luxuriant
-undergrowth; but suddenly Andreas, standing up,
-dropped his oar from sheer surprise.
-
-'Queen of the Water is not a desert island now!'
-he said. 'Look, Señor!'
-
-The boys also gazed now at the shore; and there,
-sure enough, on a small rock that jutted out into
-the sea, they saw a weird-looking figure walking
-slowly up and down, and waving long thin arms as
-if to warn off the intruders. The man, who hardly
-looked human even from this distance, appeared to
-be intent only on this one action; and so strange
-did it seem, that the three looked at each other
-with the same question expressed on their faces,
-and this was, 'Shall we land?'
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-.. _`'SHALL WE LAND?'`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- [Illustration: "*SHALL WE LAND?*" (missing from book)]
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-'If there is one man there may be more,' said
-Carlo, in despair; 'but I can row no more. We
-may as well be killed here as go on to another
-island and die by the way.'
-
-'He is no Indian, but a white man,' remarked
-Andreas, again scanning the rock; 'his beard is long,
-and his hair too. He either wishes us ill, or wishes
-to warn us from some danger; and yet I never
-heard of any one living here. This is indeed a
-misfortune.'
-
-'Well, we must risk it,' said Harry, seeing
-Carlo was looking terribly white and done up; 'and
-I think if we run the boat in here, at our right
-hand, that old fellow will not come up with us till
-we are well landed, for he will have nigh upon a
-mile to walk. If I'm not right, you may call me
-an ass for my pains, Carlo.'
-
-Andreas approved, and presently they were
-obliged to keep all their wits sharp in order to
-enter the semicircular harbour, for there was some
-danger in getting the boat through the tumbling
-surf. But the Indian was too well accustomed to
-landing a boat to come to grief, and very soon the
-three stood on firm land; and after dragging up
-the boat out of reach of the waves, they looked
-anxiously around their new home. Near them,
-above the low cliff, was a clearing made by nature,
-where grew bananas, cacao, and bois-immortel,
-among which could also be seen a few orange-trees
-and Avocado pears; so that there was no fear
-of dying of thirst. But what interested them most
-was the strange weird figure, who, instead of
-following them, still kept on the same rock, and still
-waved his arms as if warding off some visible
-enemy. Andreas gazed a few minutes in silence;
-then all at once his eyes lighted up.
-
-'It is no enemy: it must be a poor man whom
-the pirates have brought here. That is their
-fashion. I have heard them speak of it. They
-land some one who has offended them, and leave
-him to die alone; though often they will give him a
-musket and a little powder.'
-
-'Then I should say that poor man is mad,' said
-Harry. 'If so, he may be more dangerous than a
-pirate. But look, Andreas; if the pirates have been
-once they may come again.'
-
-'No, not for many a long day; they must have
-sighted this desert island by chance, and landed
-this poor man here, knowing it was uninhabited.'
-
-'Well, I will go and see what I can make of
-him,' said Harry, 'whilst you get a rest, Carlo; for
-you must not be ill here, and Andreas will begin
-unloading the boat.'
-
-'Take care, Harry,' cried Carlo; 'nay, wait: I
-will come with you--I can't bear you to run the
-risk alone.'
-
-'I have been through so many perilous scrapes
-that one more or less makes but little difference.
-Still, come along, Señorito, we may perhaps make
-the poor man forget his troubles.'
-
-So the two walked slowly along the shore till
-they came within a few yards of the weird figure;
-and Harry, wishing to attract his attention, called
-out to him and asked him what he did there.
-Then the figure paused, and gazed at the
-new-comers as if they were an unfamiliar sight, and
-began muttering through his long grey beard
-Spanish words of no meaning.
-
-'Señor Carlo, this poor fellow is a Spaniard;
-but I see no sign of a musket. Speak to him, and
-ask him where he sleeps, and why he is here.'
-
-Carlo began very courteously to inquire how
-the stranger had reached the island, as no boat was
-in sight; but suddenly he stopped short in his
-sentence, and clung wildly to Harry.
-
-'Harry, Harry Fenn, look again, that man is--can
-you not see? It is my father; and yet I hardly
-knew him. See the ring on his finger?' Harry
-would certainly not have recognised the Marquis,
-whom he had seen but little of; but in his
-astonishment he called out his name.
-
-'The Señor Estevan del Campo! Surely it
-cannot be! Gracious Heaven!'
-
-'Yes, yes,' said the poor man, 'that is my
-name. Who called me? Yes, yes, Estevan del Campo!'
-
-'Oh, sir, here is your son,' said Harry; and then
-Carlo, summoning up his courage, rushed toward
-his poor father and knelt by his side.
-
-'Father, father, do you not know me? I am
-Carlo, your son. Forgive me if I ever spoke harshly,
-father.'
-
-'Carlo my son? No, no, I have no son, no country.
-Don't let any one come here to find out my
-hiding-place; I warn them off. The pirates left me here;
-that was the kindest thing they did for me. I have
-no name, no titles. Don't tell any one where I am.
-What do they call it?--marooning--they marooned
-me, left me to die alone. It was their kindness; I
-bear them no grudge for doing that. No name, no
-country!'
-
-'No, no,' cried Carlo; 'we will take care of you,
-father; you shall not die alone.' And turning his
-arm round the poor thin arm of his father, Carlo
-dragged him forward; and Harry, following behind,
-wiped away a few tears from his eyes; for it was
-indeed a sight to have touched the hardest heart.
-But evidently the poor Marquis was out of his
-mind and had not much longer to live.
-
-The sound of human voices seemed to soothe
-him after a time; and when they reached the shade
-of the grove where Andreas had set out some food
-for the travellers, he was no longer muttering his
-few sentences. The surprise of the Indian can easily
-be imagined, and the poor fellow's pity for his old
-master was quite touching to witness, even though
-he had never received much kindness at his hands.
-Little by little the Marquis began to take in dimly
-that Carlo was with him, and to accept the services
-of Andreas as he waited on him; but though not
-actually starved, he had taken but little trouble to
-collect food, and the horror of loneliness and
-shame at his past treason seemed to have done the
-work of years. Carlo, who had all along been
-feeling a grudge against his father, could now
-forgive and forget everything.
-
-'Oh, Andreas, how fortunate it was that you
-brought us here! Stay with us now, and do not go
-back to St. Catherine: I am so much afraid that
-your absence will be discovered, and then---- Do
-stay, and let us share our misfortunes and our luck.'
-
-It was a great temptation to Andreas, and for
-a few moments he brooded in silence over the
-proposal; but he had learnt Christianity in a
-way not understood by many Christians. He
-considered that if he stayed he would certainly
-save himself, but if he returned he might help to
-save the poor ladies, who had now no protectors;
-and Andreas knew that the word of a pirate was
-but a poor thing to trust in. He believed that he
-could help them, and anyhow he could give them
-the knowledge that Carlo was safe and that the
-Marquis was found. What did his life matter? Had
-not the Padre told him these words: 'Greater love
-hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life
-for his friends,' and to the poor Indian the words
-were simple and powerful, and to be, if needs
-were, carried out literally. It took him but a few
-moments to make up his mind.
-
-'Andreas must go back,' he said, smiling, now
-his decision was made; 'for the Señora and the
-Señorita will want to know the good news, and
-they may want also to come to the Queen of the
-Water. Andreas loves Señor Carlo dearly, but he
-will go away first and then come again.'
-
-So towards evening, several hours before the
-sun set, Andreas was escorted to the boat, while
-the boys helped to push it off from the shore, and
-the Marquis stood by once more as if he were
-giving orders, though he merely said, 'Tell them,
-Andreas, that I did it for the best. The rascals
-deceived me. Tell them that, Andreas, and don't
-let my little Felipa think badly of me.'
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`SAVED`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER XX
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- SAVED.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-Captain Morgan had sent word
-from Jamaica, whither he had gone
-after the taking of Panama, that he
-might be expected in a few days at
-St. Catherine, as he was going to fortify it against any
-future attack of the Spaniards. The Captain had
-taken the lion's share of the booty, and, finding the
-loud murmurs of the men to be more than
-disagreeable, he set sail one evening and left the fleet
-to do as it thought best. Still, he was anxious to
-get back to St. Catherine to conclude his ransoms,
-and Sieur Simon had been instructed to watch
-closely that none of the prisoners escaped. What
-was, then, Simon's rage at finding that not only
-Carlo, but that young viper, as he called him, Harry
-Fenn, had escaped in the night, and that Andreas
-the Indian had carried out the whole plan.
-Unfortunately, the negro whom Andreas had trusted
-had turned informer, fearing when the Indian
-came back he might suffer punishment.
-
-The negro only escaped instant hanging by
-promising to betray Andreas on his return, and the
-better to secure this he was to meet him and tell
-him nothing had been discovered. 'As to the
-hiding-place of the vipers,' said Simon,' a little of
-the rack will make the Indian disclose it; for if
-Captain Morgan comes and finds out the truth he
-may make me answerable.' To vent his wrath on
-some one, Simon marched up into the presence of
-the ladies and told them all he knew, and his future
-intentions. He forbade them ever to leave the two
-rooms set apart for them, placed guards in the
-corridor, and one below the window to which Carlo
-and Harry had obtained access. There seemed
-no hope now left them of escape, and they could
-only wait most anxiously for any scrap of news
-which might leak out through the very ill-tempered
-guards Simon had placed near them. Etta alone
-would not give in to low spirits: she felt sure that
-Andreas would return and would let them know;
-and as she could not go and watch by the window
-in the corridor as formerly, she kept a good
-lookout from the sitting-room verandah. She was
-indeed the sunshine of the party; for Felipa had
-drooped again now that Carlo was gone, and Doña
-Elena was hardly equal to more exertion and
-disappointment. Catalina would speak of the
-good old time when she had first come to the
-island, and when Felipa had been treated as
-became her rank. She even began to turn against
-Etta, as being of the same race as the hated
-Morgan. But Etta would not despair nor give up
-hope; and so it happened that one day at sundown
-she heard Andreas' soft whistle below.
-
-'Felipa, dear Felipa, listen: that is Andreas!
-There! Did I not say he would come back? It
-is so dark that I cannot see him. What shall we
-do, Doña Elena? for the good man will not
-understand he must not come up here.'
-
-They all crept on to the balcony now and listened
-intently, but the sound died away; and just as they
-were beginning again to despair there was a knock
-at the door and the negro Coca entered, bowing
-very humbly before them as he presented a letter
-to Doña Elena.
-
-'Andreas is not able to come himself, lady,
-but he sends letter, and wants answer.'
-
-Doña Elena opened the parchment quickly; but
-Etta, who was looking on, said hurriedly:
-
-'How did the guards let you pass if they will
-not allow Andreas to have speech with us?'
-
-'I was very cunning, Señorita: I said that I
-had great news to give the Señora.'
-
-Etta, still puzzled, listened to the words of the
-note, which Doña Elena translated into French so
-that the negro should not understand.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-'The Señor Carlo and the Señor Harry are
-safe. They have found the noble father. I cannot
-see you yet. God protect you!
-
-'ANDREAS.'
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-'Andreas waits for answer,' said the negro.
-
-'Do not send one, Doña Elena,' cried Etta
-quickly, in spite of herself suspecting some plot; for
-what answer should Andreas require? He could
-hear for himself that they were safe, but Felipa
-said pettishly:
-
-'Nay but, dear aunt, send him word that he
-must get us delivered from this prison; I am
-weary of being shut up.'
-
-Doña Elena, thinking of no harm, yielded; and
-soon the negro retired, grinning as he again bowed
-low.
-
-'I never can like those black creatures,' said
-Catalina, turning up her nose in disgust. 'Indians
-are all very well; but negroes--no, no, Señora, you
-should never trust a negro.'
-
-'Nonsense, Catalina! My dear husband said
-it was because we treated the negroes so badly
-that they were sometimes treacherous. Alas! we
-Spaniards have much to answer for in that
-respect.'
-
-Catalina was not convinced, and kept on
-muttering that Andreas might be trusted because his
-colour was brown, but that black was the colour
-of the Evil One. Could she have seen what was
-going on below she might, perhaps, have made
-even the enlightened Señora agree with her. The
-negro had taken the note straight to the Sieur
-Simon, and in a few minutes more Andreas was
-seized and dragged into his presence, and
-confronted with it. The Indian saw that the negro
-had betrayed his trust, and, setting his teeth tight
-together, he stood before his enemy silent and
-brave.
-
-'Tell me, dog of an Indian, where thou hast
-been, and where thou hast hidden those young
-whelps,' said Simon, angrily. But Andreas was not
-going to tell him.
-
-'As well answer, for I know everything; the
-negro has told me; and if thou ownest thy fault I
-will forgive thee,' said Simon. But Andreas felt
-sure this was a trap: no one knew the retreat of
-Señor Carlo--no one at least at St. Catherine.
-
-'Come, my men, here is a dumb dog: see if a
-little torture will worm out the secret.'
-
-We must draw the veil over the horrible
-torments which noble Andreas endured. It was a
-cruel age, but the desperate men who had broken
-loose from their country, their religion, and their
-laws outdid all the cruelties of the age, and fancied
-because the poor defenceless Indians could not now
-revenge themselves they were fair game. When
-nature could bear no more, and the half-dead man
-was thrown into a dungeon, not a word having
-been extracted from him, Sieur Simon was rather
-sorry he had ordered the torturers to go on to such
-a length, for now it was doubtful if he could ever
-get any information from him, and he had been
-told that Andreas knew many valuable secrets
-which would now most likely die with him.
-
-That night the pirates had a long carousal,
-because they knew that next day Captain Morgan
-was expected back, and when he came the good
-things generally disappeared; so Sieur Simon
-suddenly bethought himself that most likely there
-must be treasure hidden away somewhere or other
-in Santa Teresa. He dared not touch Doña
-Elena or Felipa--they were able to pay rich
-ransoms; but his mind turned at once to Etta, the
-English girl, who was, of course, merely a slave of
-the Marquis. Yes, she might know, and if--well,
-if--anything happened to her, no one would care
-much, and certainly no one would inquire, except
-Captain Morgan, who had said the English girl was
-to be cared for; but he would not grieve much
-about any one who could not bring him in any money.
-
-'Go up, Nat Salt,' he said to an Englishman
-'and fetch down that English wench. I would
-wager a goblet of wine that she knows where the
-old Marquis kept his treasures.'
-
-'By'r laykin,' said Nat Salt, 'that little cinder
-witch was rather a favourite with the Captain.
-It'll not be safe to meddle with her over-much.'
-
-'Nay, I will but make her feel the rope trick
-round her wrist, and I'll pledge you a flagon of red
-wine we shall then know all she does.'
-
-'There'll be naught more, then, Sieur Simon, or
-I would rather not meddle in it; the Captain now
-and then loses his temper over a mighty small affair.'
-
-'My word as a brother,' said Simon, using the
-term by which pirates called each other when they
-were in a good temper.
-
-Nat knew that even Simon would not break
-his oath, but he said the morning would be more
-convenient for Etta's examination; so that the poor
-girl fell asleep without dreaming what was in store
-for her the next day.
-
-Once again Etta was to go down into the great
-hall, where now only Sieur Simon was sitting, and
-she was to be tried in a far harder way even than
-by hunger. When the man called Nat Salt came
-to fetch her, Felipa seemed to guess that something
-was the matter, for she clung to her friend, crying out:
-
-'Don't take Etta away. Catalina, Aunt Elena,
-don't let the wicked man take her. Why is she to go?'
-
-'Prithee, young madam, don't take it to heart;
-this English girl is but wanted to answer a few
-questions.' But Etta, though pale, would not show
-any fear even while her heart sank within her.
-
-'I will follow you an you touch me not,' she
-said, raising her fair head loftily.
-
-'In truth I'll not touch thee, young one,' said
-Nat Salt, who had a curiously soft heart,
-considering what he had seen and done. 'Come then, it
-will not be ten minutes' work. But mind! don't
-go acting the dumb dog before that Frenchman;
-I'fecks, he's as hard as a millstone on man,
-woman, or child--Morgan's an angel to him.'
-
-As they passed out the two soldiers guarding
-the door stared hard at the girl, who walked by
-Nat's side as if she were a princess.
-
-'There's a bit of sunshine in the wench's hair,'
-said one of them, 'but it will go hard with her if
-she is to get into the hands of the dragon.'
-
-Poor Etta! it was to go hard with her.
-
-'Come, child, make haste and tell me what I
-ask, and then you can go back to your friends,' said
-Simon. 'Where did the Marquis hide his gold
-before Morgan landed? He must surely have been
-busy over that work.'
-
-Etta lifted her pretty head, and gazed at the
-Frenchman with indignant blue eyes.
-
-'As if I should tell the secrets of the Marquis
-to you!' she said quickly.
-
-'Ah! so you are not going to tell--for of
-course you know?' and he laughed softly.
-
-'English girls don't tell tales,' said Etta.
-
-'Well, we'll see. Come, Nat, where's the rope?
-A little pressure on the wrists acts to the tongue
-like oil to rusty hinges.'
-
-Etta saw the rope, and some of her courage forsook
-her. She tried to run past Nat, but with one
-stride he caught her, and, twisting the rope round
-both her wrists in a peculiar fashion, he began
-pulling the noose tight, then tighter. Etta shut her eyes
-and thought of Carlo and of Harry. She knew the
-Marquis had hidden some of the gold in an old
-well, under the flags of the inner courtyard, but
-she did not mean to tell. God helping her, she
-would not be a traitor.
-
-'Now,' said Simon, 'draw it tight, Nat, and see
-if that won't make her speak. Where is the gold,
-girl? Quick, and you shall be released. One,
-two--where? Pull tighter, Nat.'
-
-Etta, in spite of herself, uttered a scream, shrill
-and piercing, which made Simon laugh.
-
-'I thought the bird would pipe to some tune.
-Come, Nat, a little tighter. Where is the gold?'
-
-'It is not mine: how can I tell? I won't! no, I
-won't! It's Carlo's money if his father is dead.
-Oh!' She struggled to get away, but this only
-increased her agony.
-
-'One, two, three; it will hurt more yet if you
-don't speak.'
-
-'Come, tell Sieur Simon, wench. You'll not
-see the Marquis till Martinmas, if then, so you
-needn't be afraid of him.'
-
-Another pull, another sharp agony, and Etta
-felt that she could bear no more, when suddenly
-there was a rush into the hall of some half-dozen
-men, all shouting and tumbling over each other,
-and looking scared out of their lives.
-
-Nat immediately let go Etta in sheer astonishment,
-whilst Simon seized hold of the foremost
-man and asked him roughly what was the matter.
-
-'I'faith, Captain, you may well ask; there's not
-a minute to spare. There's a great man-of-war
-flying the English colours bearing down on us and
-on the two ships in the bay, which have but some
-half-dozen men in them.'
-
-'Where's the powder?' cried another; 'the
-look-out man must have deserted. Gramercy! let's
-get out of this gruesome hole, for the walls
-have never been rebuilt, and we handful of men
-can't hold it.'
-
-'Then we'll put you idle fellows to stop the
-breach,' cried Simon, angrily. 'Here, Nat, haste
-and warn the rest of the garrison. We must get
-down to the beach and prevent their landing. The
-forts are useless, and that coxcomb Morgan dropped
-the guns into the sea before he left.'
-
-In another moment all was confusion, and the
-men had scattered hither and thither. Etta had
-suddenly recovered her presence of mind as soon
-as her great pain had ceased; in a moment she
-understood the situation. She now ran as quickly
-as she could up another passage towards the
-sitting-room. On the way she met the two guards,
-who, having just heard the news, were running
-helter-skelter over each other to get down to the
-courtyard and join their companions.
-
-'There's a man-o'-war bearing down on us!
-Marry! there'll not be a man Jack of us left alive!'
-
-Etta found that the confusion had spread everywhere;
-for as she rushed into the dwelling-room
-no one prevented her.
-
-'Catalina! Felipa! free me; prithee cut this
-dreadful rope. There's an English man-of-war in
-sight; and if only it will put in we are saved.'
-
-'My poor child!' said Doña Elena, with tears in
-her eyes; for, the rope being cut, the deep red
-gashes round Etta's wrists told plainly what she had
-suffered. But Etta was now too much excited to
-feel any pain. She knew that immediate action
-was necessary; if only she could find Andreas
-perhaps he would put off to the ship in his canoe.
-But where was he? She went to the balcony, as
-no one was guarding it now, and whistled the
-Indian's tune; but there was no answer.
-
-Catalina and Doña Elena, on their side, went to
-the window that commanded the bay; and there,
-sure enough, could be seen the big man-of-war
-slowly approaching, and so great was the panic
-among the pirates, who were only expecting Captain
-Morgan, that there was a furious rush for the boats;
-believing, as they did, that the Marquis was on
-board, and that on his landing not one of them
-would be spared.
-
-In the meanwhile Santa Teresa was almost
-deserted, except by the slaves; and to one of these
-Etta addressed herself as to where she could find
-Andreas, and was led to the black-hole, where the
-poor fellow lay only just conscious.
-
-'Andreas! dear Andreas!' sobbed Etta. 'Those
-cruel men--what have they done to you? But we
-are saved now. Catalina shall come and nurse
-you. Say you are not suffering! Lack-a-day!'
-
-Old Pedro, who had managed successfully to
-trim his sails, now ran up, exclaiming:
-
-'Thank God! thank God! Señora, the pirates
-are running off as if a thousand devils were at their
-heels. They say the Marquis is on board the
-man-of-war, but I know not; anyhow, let's secure
-our own gates. Ah! poor Andreas had better
-have told all he knew; I did, and managed to keep
-a whole skin.'
-
-'Then, Pedro, take a boat and go and tell the
-Captain that he must come and take us away, and
-that I know where Señor Carlo and the English
-lad are hidden. Andreas, look up; tell me, are
-you in pain?'
-
-But before Catalina or any one else could come,
-Andreas smiled happily, tried to speak; then, with
-a gentle sigh, he died. He had understood that
-those he had died for were saved, and that reward
-was enough for him.
-
-Before long St. Catherine was rid of the
-pirates, for the man-of-war had brought with it, not
-Don Estevan del Campo, but the new Governor
-of Jamaica, who came to dispossess the former
-Governor who had abetted the pirates; for King
-Charles of England was now sending strict orders
-that no buccaneer was to be allowed to set forth
-from Jamaica to commit any hostility upon the
-Spanish nation or any of the people of these islands,
-and on his way to Jamaica the new Governor wished
-to sweep clean of its pirates the little island of
-St. Catherine.
-
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. _`A BAG OF GOLD`:
-
-.. class:: center large
-
- CHAPTER XXI.
-
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- A BAG OF GOLD.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-The Pitsea Manor Farm was a dull place
-enough now, even though the beautiful
-sunshine made Nature look at her best
-on this September afternoon; but
-Mr. Fenn and his wife seemed to have no longer any
-heart left for joy, and they had settled that there was
-to be no harvest-home on the farm, for ever since
-the disappearance of their son the worthy couple
-could do nothing but mourn. They had indeed
-gone through terrible sorrow, and their only comfort
-had been the long talks Mr. Aylett had had with
-them, and his firm belief that Harry had not run
-away, as the lad said he had once thought of doing,
-but that he had in truth been kidnapped.
-
-Mr. Aylett, being the brother of a rich squire, had
-powerful friends, and he had done all in his power
-to find out news of Harry; but in those days news
-travelled but slowly; and though much was guessed,
-the truth had never been exactly ascertained.
-
-At this moment Mr. Aylett was seen by the
-worthy Fenns to be walking towards the farm,
-and very soon he was sitting by the sad-looking
-yeoman in the great farm-hall, beginning as usual
-to talk of Harry.
-
-'I've told the men I'll have naught to do with
-a harvest-home,' said Mr. Fenn, decidedly. 'I'll give
-them money for the feast, and they may go and
-dance their round reels on the green; but, now my
-poor boy is dead, I care not for sounds of music, and
-joy does but make me dizzy.'
-
-'And yet the Bible tells us to "rejoice always,"
-good neighbour,' said Mr. Aylett. 'Is it right to
-deprive others of joy when God has taken ours from
-us? Is not this somewhat selfish grief, and
-displeasing to God?'
-
-'It is my whim, Mr. Aylett. I cannot feel
-like Job, for when I see the lads a-merrymaking I
-think of my poor Harry's goodly countenance, and
-my heart seems like to break.'
-
-'The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away,'
-said Mrs. Fenn gently--'so I tell Mr. Fenn; but
-such an ado I have to be a-comforting him that
-sometimes I forget my own sore grief. It's a wonder
-I ever lived through that time; and now when I sit
-in a quiet coigne I fancy I'm another woman and
-in truth not Harry's mother. At this harvest-time
-I think of the new doublet I had always ready for
-him, and how handsome he looked. Lack-a-day!'
-
-'Tut, tut, woman!' said her husband, who liked
-to think his grief was the greatest, 'the lad was more
-to me than to thee. You know how he would
-follow me about when he could but just toddle. Ay,
-ay, Mr. Aylett, you too know what he was like. It
-was a sight to see him riding about the farm; and
-now there's no one of my name as will inherit this
-place. And as for my cousin who has an eye to the
-place, i' faith he's but a poor creature--ay, a paltry
-ass.'
-
-'The Lord can bring back your boy,' said the
-clergyman, with a quiet assurance that appeared
-to be galling to the yeoman.
-
-'I said naught to the contrary, Mr. Aylett; but
-there's a sight of things that the Lord could do as
-never happen in this world; and my boy's dead--I
-know it; and meseems, in truth, it's folly thinking
-on it longer.'
-
-''Tis much lacking in faith, good Mr. Fenn, that
-you are. For my part, I believe Harry will come
-home, and----' But here the keener-witted mother
-started up and called out:
-
-'Mr. Aylett's heard news of Harry! Speak
-out, sir, or this old heart will break; for my head
-feels dizzy. Speak out, sir, for God's sake!' And
-Mr. Aylett now saw that he had sufficiently prepared the
-old people for the joy that he had to tell them, and,
-standing up reverently, he said:
-
-'Ay, ay, good friends, God's name be praised!
-Harry is safe and sound, and has a long and
-wonderful story to tell you.'
-
-'But where is he--oh, my boy! my boy! You're
-not deceiving me, Mr. Aylett, else God have mercy
-on you!'
-
-'God forbid! Harry is in my house--brought
-here by a Captain Carew himself; and with him is
-come an English maid who was a fellow-prisoner in
-the West Indies. But I must tell no tales, and I
-bade him follow me anon--and, ay, look you,
-there he is, so I'll leave you to hear his own story,
-and go back to the maid, to whom my wife has
-taken a huge fancy already, for there is as much
-sunlight in her eyes as there is gold in our autumn
-corn; and, indeed, hers is as strange a history as you
-could find even in tales of our Chaucer.'
-
-We must leave Harry to tell his own wonderful
-adventures, but Etta had already recounted to
-Mr. and Mrs. Aylett how Captain Carew had been
-kindness itself to the prisoners of Santa Teresa when he
-landed at St. Catherine, and how he had taken all
-the party on board, and, after landing the new
-Governor at Jamaica, had gone to the island where
-Carlo and Harry Fenn had been left, helped to
-find it by the rude chart which Andreas had drawn.
-It can be easily understood how happy was the
-meeting, and how Doña Elena landed to see her
-brother's grave, and heard how he had died in
-Carlo's arms. Then, last, Captain Carew had
-taken them all on board again, and had landed the
-Spaniards in Spain, and Etta had been comforted
-at the loss of Felipa by Carlo's saying that she
-must come some day as an honoured guest to his
-home; that when he was a man he would travel
-to England, as he meant to be a Spanish
-Ambassador at the Court of King Charles. Then how
-excited she had been when she first beheld the
-shores of England, and knew that she was indeed
-no longer a prisoner, but a free English girl.
-Captain Carew, having relations of his own near
-South Benfleet, had himself taken the young
-people to Mr. Aylett, as Harry, now thoughtful
-beyond his years, knew that his sudden
-reappearance at home might cause too great a shock
-to his parents; besides, he thought Mr. Aylett could
-best judge what was to be done about finding Etta
-Allison's relations.
-
-You can all imagine the joy of the homecoming;
-but I must add that there was a grand
-harvest-home that year at Pitsea Manor Farm, and
-such joy as never had been. What made it seem
-so wonderful to Harry was that Etta was there,
-dressed in a pretty gown of white *sémé*; and that
-he led off the country dance with her; and that
-her sweet, brave face made the whole hall appear
-merry; for, as Mrs. Fenn said, 'all could see Etta
-was dancing a very Barley Bree o' mirth.'
-
-Her uncle had been found, and had come over
-to see her; but, being an old bachelor, he was
-glad enough to pay a yearly sum to Mrs. Aylett,
-and to let her stay with that excellent lady;
-saying he should leave her all his money, and
-stipulating that she was to pay him yearly visits.
-No wonder Etta was happy as she danced with
-Harry, or told stories of the past.
-
-----
-
-Will you like to hear something more, and can
-you guess that when Harry Fenn married, his bride
-was Etta Allison? And Carlo del Campo was, in
-truth, present, as he had really joined the
-Embassy--though he was not yet Ambassador--but he said
-at the wedding that he owed his success to Etta,
-who had taught him English. Poor Felipa died
-just before Carlo's journey. She had never
-recovered the effects of all the hardships and sorrows
-she had gone through; but before her death she
-sent some of her jewels to her dear Etta, and
-begged her not to forget her; which, as Etta's heart
-was big, she was not likely to do. You can imagine
-what talks they all had together; and perhaps the
-most wonderful piece of news that Harry told Don
-Carlo was that Captain Henry Morgan had now
-turned over a new leaf, and that the King had
-knighted him, and made him Governor of Jamaica;
-and that, wonderful to relate, he was now called
-Sir Henry Morgan, a brave and loyal gentleman.
-Truly it was a case of 'set a thief to catch a thief,'
-for the pirates were now no longer tolerated in
-Jamaica; and Sir Henry was said to be vastly
-clever at hunting them down.
-
-Some years later, when there were happy
-children running about the old Pitsea farmhouse,
-there came a mysterious visitor to Benfleet. He
-gave no name, but wished to see Harry Fenn, who
-was now the owner of the farm; and when he was
-gone, Harry called his pretty wife Etta, who was
-all curiosity to know what the visitor wanted; and
-then he showed her a large bag, full of gold
-pieces--such a sum and such a glittering mass as Etta and
-Harry had never seen all at once before in their
-lives; and on a piece of parchment was written:
-
-'For my godson Harry Fenn: a marriage
-portion for him and the little witch, albeit they
-were so ungrateful and unmindful of their
-well-wisher, Sir Henry Morgan.'
-
-The gold pieces were of every nationality, and
-from every recognised mint; and some of them
-looked as if they had been kept many years in
-secret hiding-places known only to Sir Henry Morgan.
-
-'This money,' said Harry, 'is, if I mistake not,
-gold that was stolen in Sir Henry Morgan's raids.
-What think you, sweetheart? I like not the colour
-of it; and these adventures brought me but one
-gold coin of true ring in it, and that was my own
-wee wife.'
-
-'For shame, Harry,' laughed Etta, 'to liken me
-to gold, which the Bible calls the root of all evil!
-But why not give it to Mr. Aylett for the poor on
-Canvey Island? Thou knowest, dear Harry, that
-there are many in need there, round about the little
-Church of St. Catherine; and if it goes to the service
-of that church it will remind us of all our troubles
-on the other St. Catherine; and remind us, too,
-not to forget to be grateful to God for our past
-deliverance.'
-
-'A right good thought, sweetheart! And what
-say you to putting up a stained glass window of
-St. Catherine herself? And beside the wheel we will
-place a cord in her hand, which will be in memory
-of the cruel knot of which you still bear the marks.'
-
-'For shame, Harry! Nay, I was no saint.
-Why, if Captain Carew had not come in the nick
-of time, I should, perhaps, have told everything I
-knew. There, put up the gold pieces in their bag--I
-cannot abide the sight of them; but Mr. Aylett
-will say, I am sure, that God can, and He will,
-sanctify even stolen treasure.'
-
-And so out of evil they brought forth good,
-as all can do who set their minds to it. But that
-evening, when Mr. Aylett, with much surprise,
-received the gold, he asked Harry, laughingly, if he
-were of the same mind as of old, and if he would
-still like to wander forth.
-
-'If Etta would come too, I would not mind
-seeing those beautiful lands again,' he said. 'But,
-what with mother and the children, I know right
-well she will not travel again for many a long year.'
-
-'Prithee, then, go alone, Harry, an it please
-you,' said his wife; and as Harry shook his head
-in a very determined fashion, Etta Fenn fell
-a-laughing softly, knowing well that her husband
-would never leave her for all the gold of the West
-Indies.
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- FINIS
-
-.. vspace:: 4
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-
- PRINTED BY
- SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE
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- NEW STORY BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG
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- BY CHARLOTTE M. YONGE
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- THE CROSS ROADS
-
-By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE, Author of "The Heir of Redclyffe,"
-&c. With Five Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON.
-Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-A story of life in domestic service at Langhope Mead, with some
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-A tale of adventure four hundred years ago. The scene is laid
-principally at the Castle of Lindenberg, in the Bavarian highlands, and the
-story is chiefly concerned with the doings of two cousins, named Max and
-Fritz, and of a tame bear, which they have christened Hob. The book
-inculcates some admirable lessons on the duty of kindness to animals.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY M. & C. LEE
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- ST. DUNSTAN'S FAIR
-
-By M. & C. LEE, Authors of "The Family Coach," &c. With
-Three Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Bevelled
-boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d.
-
-"St. Dunstan's Fair" tells of the folks living in a small country
-village in Kent, in the year of Waterloo, of what happened at the Fair
-itself, and of the consequences to Nancy Springett and poor George
-Colgate. The account of the visit paid by Molly and Chris to their
-grandfather, Mr. Openshaw, and of the part played by the two children,
-lend the story considerable variety of interest.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY MARY H. DEBENHAM
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- MOOR AND MOSS
-
-By MARY H. DEBENHAM, Author of "For King and Home,"
-&c. With Three Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY.
-Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d.
-
-A story of the Border in the first half of the sixteenth century, of the
-struggles that were for ever taking place, and the raids that were being
-made, and (in particular) of the Armstrongs of Birkhope and the Musgraves
-of Fairgill, and how peace and happiness were at last brought to all.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY M. BRAMSTON
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE ADVENTURES OF DENIS
-
-By M. BRAMSTON, Author of "Abby's Discoveries," &c. With
-Three Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Bevelled
-boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d.
-
-The adventures in question are those of Denis Lyndale while staying,
-first at Liberty Hall on the high road between Derby and Chester, and
-afterwards at Cathendean, in the hilly district of the Peak, and are closely
-connected with the rising of 1745 and the retreat of Prince Charles Edward
-from Derby to the north again.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY ESMÉ STUART
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- A SMALL LEGACY
-
-By ESME STUART, Author of "The Silver Mine," &c. With
-Two Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Bevelled
-boards, cloth gilt, price 2s.
-
-A story for children, concerning the life led by the coastguardsmen
-and their families at St. Alban's Head, and showing how it is possible for
-boys and girls to be brave and honourable in all their actions, and, sometimes,
-even heroic. Little Peter is a pathetic figure, and one that is likely
-to prove interesting to young and old.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY M. BRAMSTON
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- LOTTIE LEVISON
-
-By M. BRAMSTON, Author of "A Village Genius," &c. With
-Two Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Bevelled
-boards, cloth gilt, price 2s.
-
-A South London story for young women and elder girls, describing
-how Lottie Levison, from being brought up in a home of doubtful honesty,
-conceived a desire to become "respectable," and not only succeeded, but
-grew conscious of still better hopes, and was filled with a longing to shed
-sunshine around her and to teach others the means of getting the happiness
-which she had gained for herself.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY ESMÉ STUART
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- A NEST OF ROYALISTS
-
-By ESME STUART, Author of "Cast Ashore," &c. With Two
-Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Cloth boards,
-gilt, price 1s. 6d.
-
-A story of Blois in the year 1832, of an English family--the Merediths--who
-went to live there, and of the circumstances under which they
-became connected with a Royalist plot against the rule of Louis Philippe.
-The description of the hiding-places of some of the conspirators is likely
-to prove attractive alike to boys and girls.
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium white-space-pre-line
-
- In addition to the preceding, the following Prize
- Books are also published by the Society:--
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY CHARLOTTE M. YONGE
-
-Author of "The Heir of Redclyffe," "Cameos from English History," &c..
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE CONSTABLE'S TOWER
-
-Or, The Times of Magna Charta. With Four Full-page
-Illustrations by C. O. MURRAY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards,
-cloth gilt, price 3s.
-
-A tale of the days of Magna Charta, showing the nobility of the
-character of Hubert de Burgh, and his loyalty to his king under very trying
-circumstances, and concluding with a spirited description of the sea-tight
-off Dover.
-
-"One of the best children's books published this season."--WESTERN ANTIQUARY.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE SLAVES OF SABINUS
-
-With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-A powerful story of the Christian Church in the days when Vespasian
-was the Roman Emperor, and his more genial son Titus was freshly
-returned from his conquest of the Jews.
-
-"It is a story on a theme that draws all hearts--Christian faith and martyrdom in
-the first century."--GUARDIAN.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE CUNNING WOMAN'S GRANDSON
-
-A Story of Cheddar a Hundred Years Ago. With Five
-Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled
-boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-An attractive story of the social and religious improvements that wore
-made in the Cheddar district through the philanthropic zeal of Miss
-Hannah More and her sisters.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- UNDER THE STORM
-
-Or, Steadfast's Charge. With Six Full-page Illustrations.
-Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-In "Under the Storm" the author of "The Heir of Redclyffe"
-depicts the troublous experiences of the family of a small yeoman farmer
-during the great Civil War.
-
-"'Under the Storm' is in all respects worthy of the reputation of the author of 'The
-Heir of Redclyffe.'"--SPECTATOR.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- OUR NEW MISTRESS
-
-Or, Changes at Brookfield Earl. With Four Full-page
-Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards,
-cloth gilt, price 3s.
-
-"Our New Mistress" depicts with much truth to life the difficulties
-met with by a young trained schoolmistress in taking charge of a village
-school where innovations were not welcomed. Jessie Martin, however,
-finally emerges successfully from all troubles and difficulties.
-
-"The Schoolmistress's story has just the dash of primness which makes it quite
-perfect."--SPECTATOR.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY FRANCES MARY PEARD
-
-.. vspace:: 1
-
-.. class:: center small white-space-pre-line
-
- Author of "The Rose Garden," "The Country Cousin,"
- "Paul's Sister," &c.
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE ABBOT'S BRIDGE
-
-With Five Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-A story of life on the road in the time of Edward the Third, and of
-the great rising of the townspeople of Bury St. Edmunds against the
-authorities at the Abbey.
-
-"Miss Peard should find her popularity increased by 'The Abbot's Bridge.' It
-is a capital story, vigorously told."--MANCHESTER GUARDIAN.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE LOCKED DESK
-
-With Five Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY.
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-In this book Miss Peard has left the historical field in which most of
-her previous tales for young people have lain, giving us instead a story of
-the present day, in which certain documents in Mrs. Barton's locked desk
-play an important part.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE BLUE DRAGON
-
-With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. TANILAND.
-8vo, bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-"The Blue Dragon" is the sign of an inn at Chester, where the scene
-of the story is laid, in the discontented, turbulent times that followed
-immediately upon the battle of Bosworth Field.
-
-"Every page is full of stirring interest."--CHURCH TIMES.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- SCAPEGRACE DICK
-
-With Four Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled
-boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-A spirited story of adventure in England and the Low Countries in the
-days of the Commonwealth.
-
-"A book for boys, which will be read with equal pleasure by their
-sisters."--PALL MALL GAZETTE.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- PRENTICE HUGH
-
-With Six Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards,
-cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-"Prentice Hugh" gives a graphic account of life during the reign of
-Edward the First, mainly in the cathedral city of Exeter.
-
-"Another excellent book.... Both boys and girls will enjoy reading 'Prentice
-Hugh'; it is in all respects one of the best books of the season."--ST. AMES'S GAZETTE.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- TO HORSE AND AWAY
-
-With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-The fortunes of a Royalist family in the times of the Great Civil War
-form the leading theme of Miss Peard's story, which, together with many
-adventures, gives a few graphic scenes from the life of Charles II. in his
-flight from Worcester Field.
-
-"'To Horse and Away' will certainly give pleasure to girls and
-boys-alike."--SATURDAY REVIEW.
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY THE AUTHOR OF "MADEMOISELLE MORI" &c.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- KINSFOLK AND OTHERS
-
-With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. O. MURRAY. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-A study in the conflicting duties that claim the obedience of Olive
-Garth, who has been brought up from her earliest days by her
-grandmother, and whose mother returns from Australia after an absence of
-seventeen years.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BANNING AND BLESSING
-
-With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-Descriptive of country life on the confines of wild Dartmoor, at the
-beginning of the present century. The banning of Lois Smerdon, the
-black witch, at length comes to an end, and so plentiful are the blessings
-which follow that all ends happily and full of promise for the future.
-
-"A capital specimen of a book for girls."--SATURDAY REVIEW.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- A LITTLE STEP-DAUGHTER
-
-With Six Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards,
-cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-"A Little Step-daughter" is descriptive of life in the South of France
-in the early part of the eighteenth century.
-
-"The anonymous authoress of 'Mademoiselle Mori' is one of the most delightful
-of writers for girls. Her books are characterised by
-a delicacy of touch rarely met with."--STANDARD.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY M. & C. LEE
-
-.. vspace:: 1
-
-.. class:: center small
-
- Authors of "The Oak Staircase," "Joachim's Spectacles," &c.
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE FAMILY COACH
-
-With Four Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s.
-
-A story of a family of children, their schemes and plans, and the
-misfortunes that consequently ensue, in the course of a journey from
-London to Mentone, where they are to meet their parents, who have just
-returned from India.
-
-"'The Family Coach' is as attractive within as without."--TIMES.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- GOLDHANGER WOODS
-
-A Child's Romance. With Two Full-page Illustrations. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s.
-
-"Goldhanger Woods" is the story of the romantic adventure of a
-young girl a hundred years ago among a band of desperate smugglers.
-
-"This 'child's romance' is ingeniously planned and well executed."--SPECTATOR.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- MRS. DIMSDALE'S GRANDCHILDREN
-
-With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s.
-
-A large number of old Mrs. Dimsdale's grand children are gathered
-together one Christmas time at the Downs House in Sussex. Milly, in
-emulation of Aunt Hetty, writes a play, and this receives a preliminary
-public reading by Aunt Hetty. Difficulties intervene, but everything comes
-right in the end, and the story concludes with the acting of Milly's play.
-
-"Full of stir and spirit."--GUARDIAN.
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY M. BRAMSTON
-
-.. vspace:: 1
-
-.. class:: center small white-space-pre-line
-
- Author of "A Woman of Business," "Rosamond Ferrars," &c.
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- ABBY'S DISCOVERIES
-
-With Three Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d.
-
-The story of the successive discoveries, in very ordinary matters, that
-little Abigail made in her earliest years, and the meaning and lessons
-which they have for all those concerned in bringing up the young.
-
-"We have not seen a better book about the feelings and experiences of childhood
-than this since we read the 'My Childhood' of Madame Michelet."--SPECTATOR.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- A VILLAGE GENIUS
-
-A True Story of Oberammergau. With Two Full-page
-Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards,
-cloth gilt, price 2s.
-
-A tale of Oberammergau and of the life of Rochus Dedler, the composer
-of the music that is still used at the Passion Play there. The true
-story of a man who almost worshipped music, but was too tender and shy
-ever to rise to the rank to which he was entitled.
-
-"A sympathetic and charming sketch."--BOOKSELLER.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- DANGEROUS JEWELS
-
-With Four Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s.
-
-The opening scenes of this story are laid in Brittany at the time of the
-great French Revolution, but the scene changes, and the later chapters
-give some vivid descriptions of rough life in a lonely hut on the moorlands
-of Devonshire.
-
-"Plenty of stirring incident, and the scenes are novel and
-unhackneyed."--MANCHESTER GUARDIAN.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- A PAIR OF COUSINS
-
-With Three Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND.
-Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d.
-
-The pair of cousins are Flower Callaway, who has a weakness for
-appearing interesting and attractive in the eyes of others, and Avis
-Goldenlea, a healthy-minded girl of real sterling worth. "A Pair of
-Cousins" contains much sensible teaching, particularly for girls of a
-sentimental turn of mind.
-
-"The simplicity of Miss Bramston's new story is one of its greatest
-charms."--SCHOOLMISTRESS.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE HEROINE OF A BASKET VAN
-
-With Three Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled
-boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d.
-
-The heroine is little Phenie, whom her father, Jonathan Redmoor,
-takes with him to travel about the country in his basket van.
-
-"There are plenty of incidents in the tale to interest the reader,
-and, as such a story
-should end, Phenie finds her right place after all."--SCHOOLMASTER.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- UNCLE IVAN
-
-With Three Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled
-boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d.
-
-"Uncle Ivan" gives a striking and eventful picture of life in England
-and Russia some forty years ago; together with some insight into the
-methods of the Russian Government for dealing with political crime.
-
-"A charming book, and one that must give pleasure to boys and girls, not to mention
-any of their elders who may take it up to pass an idle hour."--SATURDAY REVIEW.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- SILVER STAR VALLEY
-
-With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s.
-
-In this story Miss Bramston gives a striking and vivid picture of life
-among a mining community in the Rocky Mountains. The concluding
-chapters furnish a brief account of the great social and religious
-improvements that eventually took place in Silver Star Valley.
-
-"Miss Bramston's story is spirited and interesting
-throughout."--SATURDAY REVIEW.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY C. R. COLERIDGE
-
-.. vspace:: 1
-
-.. class:: center small white-space-pre-line
-
- Author of "An English Squire," "The Girls of Flaxley," &c.
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- FIFTY POUNDS
-
-A Sequel to "The Green Girls of Greythorpe," &c. With
-Four Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s.
-
-A sequel to "The Green Girls of Greythorpe," showing what became
-of the principal characters in that story after they had grown into young
-men and young women. The interest of the present story, however, to
-the reader is in no sense dependent on its predecessor, but rather of a kind
-likely to suit elder boys and girls.
-
-"The book is very bright, the story never flags."--GIRLS'
-FRIENDLY SOCIETY ASSOCIATES' JOURNAL.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE GREEN GIRLS OF GREYTHORPE
-
-With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s.
-
-A story of an old endowed institution that has come under the notice
-of the Charity Commissioners, who decide that a reorganisation and
-extension of the school is necessary, and that the education it affords must
-be brought into harmony with modern requirements.
-
-"The story is very prettily told, and, although quiet in tone,
-contains a full share
-of incident and interest."--STANDARD.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- MAUD FLORENCE NELLIE
-
-Or, Don't Care. With Four Full-page Illustrations by
-C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo, bevelled boards, cloth gilt,
-price 3s.
-
-A story, showing how a veritable scapegrace of a boy, Harry Whittaker,
-and his careless sister, Florrie, are gradually brought to see the costs
-that may be entailed by the spirit that says "Don't care" to every
-gentle correction of a fault.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- REUBEN EVERETT
-
-With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d.
-
-Miss Coleridge's "Reuben Everett" is the story of "a truant bird, that
-thought his home a cage," and describes the early days of training colleges
-and railways in England.
-
-"'Reuben Everett' is a story remarkably true to life."--RECORD.
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY MARY H. DEBENHAM
-
-.. vspace:: 1
-
-.. class:: center small
-
- Author of "Our New Prentice," &c.
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- FOR KING AND HOME
-
-With Three Full-page Illustrations, by J. F. WEEDON. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d.
-
-Of the rising in La Vendee during the great French Revolution, and of
-the adventures that subsequently befell a well-to-do family there, together
-with an English cousin Dorothy, who was staying at the chateau at the
-time.
-
-"The events are well combined and cleverly conceived."--MANCHESTER GUARDIAN.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- MISTRESS PHIL
-
-With Two Full-page Illustrations by C. O. MURRAY. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s.
-
-"Mistress Phil" is Phillis Juliana Cheviot, and the story describes
-her stay at Waltham Cross in the year 1760, and the results that followed
-from it, giving also some lively pictures of mail-coaches and highwaymen.
-
-"A book good enough for anybody to read, of whatever
-age."--SCHOOL BOARD CHRONICLE.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- A LITTLE CANDLE
-
-With Five Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-Miss Debenham's story is concerned with Scotland in the stormy
-days of Claverhouse. The "Little Candle" that throws its gentle
-warming beams on all around her is Bride Galbraith, who, by her tenderness
-and grace, comforts and softens the time of trial and affliction.
-
-"The character (of Bride Galbraith) is a very beautiful one,
-and Miss Debenham has
-drawn it with exquisite touch."--PUBLISHERS' CIRCULAR.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- FAIRMEADOWS FARM
-
-With Two Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s.
-
-The scene is laid in Hampshire about the time of Monmouth's rebellion.
-The story gives some vivid pictures of the opening at Winchester of Judge
-Jeffreys' harsh campaign against the rebels, and of the clouds that hung
-over the neighbourhood for a time in consequence.
-
-"A simple yet capitally related story,
-and the pathetic features are very effectively
-realised."--LIVERPOOL COURIER.
-
-
-
-ST. HELEN'S WELL
-
-With Two Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s.
-
-"St Helen's Well" is a story of events that followed the rising in
-1745 in favour of the Young Pretender.
-
-"The perils and hardships of the adventure are graphically
-described."--GUARDIAN.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY THE AUTHOR OF "STARWOOD HALL"
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- KING'S FERRY
-
-In the Days of the Press-gang. With Three Full-page
-Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards,
-cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d.
-
-Concerning a certain ship's doctor who came to Weymouth in press-gang
-days, and, staying at King's Ferry, tempted Simon Lydgate, the
-ferryman, to do wrong; of the punishment that fell on Lydgate, and of the
-joy and peace that followed the home-coming of his boy, Wat.
-
-"Like its predecessors, this volume is full
-of picturesque pictures of old life and
-manners."--TIMES.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- JOAN'S VICTORY
-
-With Two Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 1s. 6d.
-
-Descriptive of a young woman of quick, passionate temper and
-stubborn purpose, and of the means by which a young child unconsciously
-brought her back to her better self and helped to soften her heart.
-
-"Admirably detailed. Joan is really a very powerful psychological
-study."--SPECTATOR.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- PECKOVER'S MILL
-
-A Story of the Great Frost of 1739. With Five Full-page
-Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled
-boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-A story of a Jacobite conspiracy that was on foot in the time of the
-great frost of 1739, showing how Silas Peckover came home from abroad
-and took possession of the home of his forefathers, and how the sweet
-womanliness and honesty of Mistress Ruth influenced him for good.
-
-"Silas Peckover is a character quite worthy of Ainsworth."--ACADEMY.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- CHRIS DERRICK
-
-A Stormy Passage in a Boy's Life. With Two Full-page
-Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled
-boards, cloth gilt, price 2s.
-
-This story supplies some lively sketches of what a mutiny often led to at
-the beginning of the present century, and of the narrow shifts that smugglers
-ran in escaping from the revenue officers.
-
-"A spirited story of adventure."--SPECTATOR.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- STARWOOD HALL
-
-A Boy's Adventure. With Two Full-page Illustrations by
-C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt,
-price 2s.
-
-A stirring story of how an honest boy fell into the clutches of a band of
-highwaymen, or "gentlemen of fortune," in the middle of the last century.
-
-"The pictures of rural manners ... strike us as being extremely life-like."--TIMES.
-
-
-
-
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-
- BY ESMÉ STUART
-
-.. vspace:: 1
-
-.. class:: center small
-
- Author of "The Little Brown Girl," "The Belfry of St. Jude's," &c.
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE SILVER MINE
-
-An Underground Story. With Four Full-page Illustrations by
-W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt,
-price 3s.
-
-An account of life on the rocky Devonshire coast, an unsuccessful
-attempt to reopen a disused silver mine, and a long-standing family feud
-between the Redwoods and the Pennants, with the incidents that served
-to bring it to an end.
-
-"A very bright, attractive story. The children are natural,
-and the style is fresh
-and spirited."--JOURNAL OF EDUCATION.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- THE VICAR'S TRIO
-
-With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d.
-
-The story of how young Lord Faulconbridge, a peevish and irritable
-boy, is brought to see that the rank and wealth with which he has been
-endowed bring with them equally great responsibilities.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- CAST ASHORE
-
-With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown
-8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s.
-
-It was little Mona, who was cast ashore on the North Lancashire
-coast, after the total wreck of the ship in which she was travelling under
-the care of her father's servant, Hanson. How the unprincipled Jephtha
-Toppin afterwards lures her away, with a view to earning a reward, and
-how she is eventually rescued--both are told with considerable power and
-vividness.
-
-"A most exciting and yet perfectly wholesome tale of adventure."--BANNER.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- FOR HALF-A-CROWN
-
-With Four Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards,
-cloth gilt, price 3s.
-
-Half-a-crown is the price that Mrs. Chemmo, a retired housekeeper
-living in the cathedral city of Hedderstone on an annuity from her former
-mistress, pays for a little waif, Natalia, to an Italian colony in a squalid
-Portsmouth alley.
-
-"There is a freshness and brightness about the book which too many of the books
-for girls in which religious sentiments are at all introduced lack
-very wofully."--PALL MALL GAZETTE.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- CARRIED OFF
-
-A Story of Pirate Times. With Four Full-page Illustrations
-by J. F. WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth
-gilt, price 3s.
-
-It was fearless Harry Perm, the son of an Essex yeoman farmer, who
-was "carried off" by Captain Henry Morgan, the famous buccaneer, and
-his men, to the West Indies, where the Spanish settlements are attacked,
-and adventures in plenty follow.
-
-"Miss Stuart has gone with the times, and has given us a vigorous and well-told
-story of the days of the buccaneers."--STANDARD.
-
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- BY M. E. PALGRAVE
-
-.. vspace:: 1
-
-.. class:: center small white-space-pre-line
-
- Author of
- "Under the Blue Flag," "Miles Lambert's Three Chances," &c.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- IN CHARGE
-
-A Story of Rough Times. With Five Full-page Illustrations
-by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth
-gilt, price 3s.
-
-A stirring story of the days when smugglers were in plenty and
-free-trading (as it was called) was in full swing.
-
-"Full of incident and interest, very pleasantly told,
-and breathes an excellent spirit
-throughout."--WESTERN MORNING NEWS.
-
-
-
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-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- A PROMISE KEPT
-
-With Four Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled
-boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d.
-
-A story with a lofty purpose, showing the amount of self-denial that
-is necessary in those who leave their home and kindred to engage in
-missionary work in far-off lands.
-
-"Its tone is elevated and serious.
-Its purpose is to show the need of aiming at
-a high standard of life, and the failure of those who only dream
-noble things."--NATIONAL CHURCH.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- LOST ON THE MOOR
-
-By "TAFFY." With Frontispiece. Cloth boards, gilt, price 1s.
-
-The story of Little Jack, how he was lost on the moor in a thick fog
-through his brother's disobedience, and how he was found and finally
-restored to his home.
-
-"An evening will be very pleasantly spent
-and attended with much good in reading
-this interesting story."--SCHOOLMASTER.
-
-
-
-.. vspace:: 4
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-.. class:: center large
-
- NATIONAL SOCIETY'S RECENT PUBLICATIONS
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center medium white-space-pre-line
-
- THE LIFE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR
- JESUS CHRIST
-
-.. vspace:: 3
-
-.. class:: center small white-space-pre-line
-
- *Illustrated from the Italian Painters of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth,
- and Sixteenth Centuries.*
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-A Preface has been furnished to this volume, on the Growth of Religious
-Art in Italy, by Mr. F. T. PALGRAVE, who has also added Critical and
-Explanatory Notes on the Pictures and their Painters.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-Richly bound in cloth boards, bevelled, gilt edges, price 15s.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-The Church Quarterly Review
-says: "This book is a perfect gem.... It is, indeed, a relief to turn to
-such matchless designs as these. It
-would be impossible to speak too
-highly of the knowledge of the history
-of art, the elevation of thought, and
-the elegance of style which Mr. Palgrave displays."
-
-The Spectator says:--"The drawings are executed with much skill;
-and the chromo-lithographic process
-is here employed with delicacy and
-success. Mr. Palgrave's notes are
-pertinent and instructive. His
-Introduction is able and eloquent."
-
-The Academy says:--"This is a
-very beautiful book, and the
-chromolithographs with which it is adorned,
-or rather, which are illustrated by the
-text, reflect great credit on the care
-and skill of all concerned in their production."
-
-The Athenaeum says--"Byway of
-preface, a highly intelligent and
-critical essay on the growth, aims, and
-developments of religious art in Italy
-by Mr. F. T. Palgrave. Each well-weighed and thoughtful sentence is
-worth reading. The general purport
-of the book is well represented by the
-title. Mr. Palgrave vouches for the
-beauty of the drawings made by
-Mr. Goodall, from which the chromolithographs were taken.... A very
-ambitious effort has been extremely
-successful."
-
-The Portfolio says:--"The eloquent
-and informing preface and the critical
-notes on the pictures by Mr. F. T. Palgrave,
-are addressed to an adult
-and cultured audience.... The literary part of the volume deserves more
-careful consideration than is usually
-accorded to letterpress penned to
-accompany even high-class illustrations."
-
-The Art Journal says:--"A work
-which should be the most popular, as
-it must be the handsomest, of Christmas books bearing a religious
-character.... Twenty-four wonderful
-little chromo-lithographs from drawings made on the spot.... The
-volume is in every way a beautiful
-one."
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-THE STORY OF THE CHILDHOOD OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d.
-
-.. vspace:: 1
-
-THE STORY OF THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d.
-
-.. vspace:: 1
-
-THE STORY OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d.
-
-.. vspace:: 1
-
-THE STORY OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-.. class:: center small white-space-pre-line
-
- Each of the above four Volumes is illustrated
- by Six Pictures from the Italian Painters
- of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Centuries.
-
-.. vspace:: 2
-
-.. class:: center medium
-
- NATIONAL SOCIETY'S DEPOSITORY, SANCTUARY, WESTMINSTER.
-
-.. vspace:: 6
-
-.. pgfooter::
diff --git a/23892-rst/images/img-012.jpg b/23892-rst/images/img-012.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 2ac0065..0000000 --- a/23892-rst/images/img-012.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/23892-rst/images/img-104.jpg b/23892-rst/images/img-104.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e4e2b59..0000000 --- a/23892-rst/images/img-104.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/23892-rst/images/img-cover.jpg b/23892-rst/images/img-cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b07bfef..0000000 --- a/23892-rst/images/img-cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/23892-rst/images/img-front.jpg b/23892-rst/images/img-front.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 2ac0065..0000000 --- a/23892-rst/images/img-front.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/23892.txt b/23892.txt deleted file mode 100644 index e891ba2..0000000 --- a/23892.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7221 +0,0 @@ - CARRIED OFF - - - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost -no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license. - - -Title: Carried Off - A Story of Pirate Times - -Author: Esme Stuart - -Release Date: August 06, 2012 [EBook #23892] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: US-ASCII - - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CARRIED OFF *** - - - - -Produced by Al Haines. - - - - -[Illustration: Cover] - - - -[Illustration: "_HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP._" p. 12] - - - - - CARRIED OFF - - _A STORY OF PIRATE TIMES_ - - - BY - ESME STUART - - - AUTHOR OF 'FOR HALF-A-CROWN' 'THE LAST HOPE' - 'THE WHITE CHAPEL' ETC. - - - - _WITH FOUR FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS_ - - - - - LONDON - NATIONAL SOCIETY'S DEPOSITORY - BROAD SANCTUARY, WESTMINSTER - NEW YORK: THOMAS WHITTAKER, 2 & 3 BIBLE HOUSE - 1888 - - - - - _TO_ - _CLARISSA AND JOHN_ - - -_I dedicate this story, knowing they are already fond of travelling. -They may be glad to hear that the chief events in it are true, and are -taken out of an old book written more than two hundred years ago. Yet -they may now safely visit the West Indies without fear of being made -prisoners by the much dreaded Buccaneers._ - -_E.S._ - - - - [_All rights reserved_] - - - - - CONTENTS - -CHAPTER - - - I. THE SACRIFICE - II. CAPTURED - III. A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND - IV. THE PIRATES ARE COMING - V. THE SCOUTS - VI. HATCHING A PLOT - VII. TREACHERY - VIII. A BRAVE DEFENCE - IX. IMPRISONED - X. A FELLOW-COUNTRYMAN - XI. THE SECRET PASSAGE - XII. A NEW EXPEDITION - XIII. THE ESCAPE - XIV. DEFENCE TILL DEATH - XV. IN THE WOODS - XVI. WAITING FOR LUCK - XVII. DISCOVERED - XVIII. HUNTING A FUGITIVE - XIX. IN A LONELY SPOT - XX. SAVED - XXI. A BAG OF GOLD - - - - - LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - -'HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP' - -CARLO REFUSED ADMISSION (missing from book) - -CARLO BEFORE CAPTAIN MORGAN - -'SHALL WE LAND?' (missing from book) - - - - - CARRIED OFF. - - - - CHAPTER I. - - THE SACRIFICE. - - -It was a beautiful warm spring evening, and as the sun sank slowly in -the west it illuminated with quivering golden light the calm waters that -surrounded green, marshy Canvey Island, which lies opposite South -Benfleet, in the estuary of the Thames. - -Harry Fenn had just come out of church, and, as was often his wont, he -ran up a slight hill, and, shading his eyes, looked intently out towards -Canvey and then yet more to his left, where Father Thames clasps hands -with the ocean. - -The eminence on which young fair-haired Harry stood was the site of a -strong castle, built long ago by Haesten, the Danish rover, in which he -stowed away Saxon spoil and Saxon prisoners, till King Alfred came down -upon him, pulled down the rover's fortress, seized his wife and his two -sons, and relieved the neighbourhood of this Danish scourge. How often, -indeed, had the peaceful inhabitants trembled at the sight of the sea -robber's narrow war-vessels creeping up the creek in search of plunder! - -Harry, however, was not thinking of those ancient days; his whole soul -and mind was in the present, in vague longings for action; full, too, of -young inquisitiveness as to the future, especially his own future, so -that he forgot why he had come to this spot, and did not even hear the -approach of the Rev. Mr. Aylett, who, having been listening to a tale of -distress from one of his parishioners at the end of the evening service, -had now come to enjoy the view from Haesten's hill. As he walked slowly -towards the immovable form of the boy, he could not help being struck by -the lad's graceful outline; the lithe, yet strongly built figure, the -well-balanced head, now thrown back as the eyes sought the distant -horizon; whilst the curly fair locks appeared to have been dashed -impatiently aside, and now were just slightly lifted by the evening -breeze; for Harry Fenn held his cap in his hand as he folded his arms -across his chest. He might have stood for the model of a young Apollo -had any artist been by, but art and artists were unknown things in South -Benfleet at that time. - -Mr. Aylett shook his head as he walked towards the lad, even though a -smile of pleasure parted his lips as he noted the comeliness of his -young parishioner, whom he now addressed. - -'Well, Harry, my boy, what may be the thoughts which are keeping you so -unusually still?' Harry started and blushed like a girl, and yet his -action was simple enough. - -'Indeed, sir, I did not hear you. I--I came here to have a look at our -cows down on the marsh. Father----' - -Mr. Aylett laughed good-humouredly. - -'Am I to believe that that earnest look is all on account of the cattle, -Harry?' Harry felt at this moment as if he had told a lie, and had been -found out by Mr. Aylett, who was so good and clever that he could -almost, nay, sometimes did, tell one's thoughts. - -'No, sir;' then, with a winning smile, the lad added, 'in truth I had -forgotten all about the cattle. I was dreaming of----' - -'Of the future, Harry. Listen, did not those same thoughts run thus? -That it is dull work staying at home on the farm; that some of thy -relations in past days had famous times in our civil wars, and went to -battle and fought for the King, and that some even had been settlers in -the old days of Queen Bess, and that, when all is said and done, it -wants a great deal of self-denial to stay as thou art now doing, -cheering the declining years of thy good father and mother. Some such -thought I fancied I could read in your face, boy, when singing in the -choir just now. Was it so? I would have you use candour with me.' - -Harry turned his cap round and round slowly in his hands. Mr. Aylett -was certainly a diviner of thoughts; but Harry was far too honest, and -of too good principle, to deny the truth. It was his honesty, as well -as his pluck and courage, that made him so dear to the clergyman, who -had taught the boy a great deal more learning than usually fell to the -lot of a yeoman's son in those days, even though Mr. Fenn farmed his own -land, was well-to-do, and could, had he so willed, have sent his son to -Oxford; but he himself had been reared on Pitsea Farm, had married -there, and there he had watched his little ones carried to the grave, -all but Harry. Yes, Harry was his all, his mother's darling, his -father's pride; the parson was welcome to teach him his duty to his -Church, his King and his country, and what more he liked, but no one -must part the yeoman from his only child. - -And Harry knew this, and yet often and often his soul was moved with -that terribly strong desire for change and for a larger horizon, which, -so long as the world lasts, will take possession of high-spirited boys. -However, the lad was as good as he was brave; he knew that he must crush -down his desire, or at least that he must not show it to his parents; -but he did not try to resist the pleasure of indulging in thoughts of a -larger life, thoughts which Mr. Aylett guessed very easily, but which -would have made his father's hair stand on end. This evening Mr. -Aylett's face looked so kind that Harry's boyish reserve gave way, and -with rising colour he exclaimed: - -'Oh, sir, I can't deny it; it is all true, that, and much more; just now -I had such dreadful thoughts. I felt that I must go out yonder, away and -away, and learn what the world is like; I felt that even father's sorrow -and mother's tears would not grieve me much, and that I must break loose -from here or die. I know it was wicked, and I will conquer the feeling, -but it seems as if the devil himself tempts me to forget my duty; and -worse,' added poor Harry, who having begun his confession thought he -would make a clean breast of it, 'I feel as if I must go straight to my -father and tell him I will not spend my life in minding cattle and -seeing after the labourers, and that after telling him, I would work my -way out into the big world without asking him for a penny. Sir, would -that be possible?' - -Harry looked up with trembling eagerness, as if on this one frail chance -of Mr. Aylett's agreement depended his life's happiness; but the -clergyman did not give him a moment's hope. - -'No, Harry, that is not possible, my lad. You are an only child. On -you depends the happiness of your parents. This sacrifice is asked of -you by God, and is it too hard a matter to give up your own will? Look -you, my dear Harry, I am not over-blaming you, nor am I thinking that -the crushing of this desire is not a difficult matter, but we who lived -through the late troublous times see farther than young heads, who are -easily persuaded to cozen their conscience according to their wishes. -And if you travelled, Harry, temptations and trials would follow too, -and be but troublesome companions; and further, there would be always a -worm gnawing at your heart when you thought of the childless old folks -at home. Believe me, Harry, even out in "the golden yonder," as some -one calls it, you would not find what you expect; there would be no joy -for you who had deprived those dependent on you of it. Take my advice, -boy, wait for God's own good time, and do not fall into strong distemper -of mind.' - -Mr. Aylett paused and put a kind hand on the boy's shoulder. Harry did -not answer at once, but slowly his eyes turned away from the waters and -the golden sun, slowly they were bent upon the marshes where the cattle -were grazing, and then nearer yet to where Pitsea Manor Farm raised its -head above a plantation of elms and oaks. Then a great struggle went on -in the boy's mind; he remembered he was but sixteen years old, and that -many a year must most likely elapse before he became the owner of Pitsea -Farm and could do as he pleased, and that those years must be filled -with dull routine labour, where little room was left for any adventure -beyond fishing in the creek, or going over to Canvey Island to watch -when the high waves broke over the new embankments made by Joas -Croppenburg, the Dutchman, whose son still owned a third of the rich -marshland of the island as a recompense for his father's sea walls. But -young Joas used to tell tales of great Dutch sea fights and exploits, -which, if Harry made the sacrifice Mr. Aylett was asking him to make, -would but probe the wound of his desire, and so Croppenburg's stories -must also be given up. - -Harry's courage, however, was not merely nominal, it was of the right -sort. The sacrifice he was asked to make was none the less great -because it was one not seen of men. He was to give up his will, the -hardest thing a man or a boy can do; but it needed only Mr. Aylett's -firm answer to show Harry that his duty was very plain, and that God -required this of him. - -It was like taking a plunge into cold water, where it is the first -resolution that is the worst part of the action; suddenly, with a quick -lifting of his head, and a new hopeful light in his blue eyes very -different from the unsatisfied longing gaze of ten minutes ago, Harry -spoke, and as he did so his clenched hands and his whole demeanour told -plainly that the boy meant what he said. - -'I will give it up, sir; as it is, the wishing brings me no happiness, -so I will even put the wishing to flight.' - -Mr. Aylett grasped the lad's hand warmly. - -'God bless you, Harry, you are a brave fellow. I am proud of you. Come -to me to-morrow, and I will show you a new book a friend has sent me; -or, better, walk back with me to the Vicarage.' - -'I would willingly, sir,' said Harry quietly, 'but father bade me go to -the meadow and see if White Star should be driven in under shelter -to-night. Our man Fiske has met with an accident, so I promised to see -after White Star before sundown. She was a little sick this morning.' - -'To-morrow will do well enough,' said Mr. Aylett, glad to see that Harry -was beginning already to turn his mind steadily to home matters, 'and if -you have time we will go to St. Catherine's Church on Canvey. There is -a young clergyman come there to see if he will accept the cure, and I -know you will row me over.' Harry promised gladly, and then Mr. Aylett -with another shake of the hand turned his face homeward. When he was -gone Harry flung himself on the ground to think over the promise he had -just given. He would--yes, he would keep his word. - - - - - CHAPTER II. - - CAPTURED. - - -How long he lay there, Harry never could recollect afterwards, but -feeling a chilliness creeping over him he suddenly remembered his duty. -He must make haste, for the sun was setting, and if White Star did not -seem to be better she must be led home from the damp marsh meadows that -bordered the water. Though Harry was feeling intensely sad, he had a -secret feeling of satisfaction at having conquered in a very hard -struggle, and this perhaps made him look more at the things he was -passing than, as he was wont to do, at the distant sea. This evening -everything was calm and quiet, both on the darkening waters and on the -green meadows. Harry noted a gate that needed repairing, and made up his -mind to tell his father that it must be seen to, or the cattle would be -straying; then he glanced at the little cart-horse foal that promised to -be a rival of its mother. The Pitsea Farm cart-horses were deservedly -famous, and Harry's father, George Fenn, was as good a breeder of horses -as he was a staunch Churchman and opposed to the Puritan element only -now quieting down. - -At last Harry reached the meadow where White Star was grazing and where -some thirty sheep were sharing the pasture. He went up to examine the -gentle creature, and she knew well enough the young master's voice and -touch, so that she hardly stopped chewing the cud to give him a kindly -stare. - -'White Star seems not so bad,' thought Harry. 'I'll tell father to give -her another day in the meadow, she is not too ill to enjoy this sweet -grass.' - -Harry had been so much engaged in attending to White Star that he did -not hear the soft splash of some oars at the bottom of the meadow he was -in, nor did he see that four strong, rough-looking men in seafaring -attire had quietly moored their long-boat to an old willow stump, and -that two of them were hastily scanning the sheep and cattle that were -only a few yards away. - -'Zounds!' muttered the first who stepped up the bank, 'what have we -here? a lad in this very field. I'faith, I saw no one from the creek.' - -'A mere sapling,' laughed the other, 'take no heed of him, and he will -soon take to his heels at the sight of us. Now, quick's the word, the -captain is impatient to be off with the tide.' - -In another instant the men had begun their work. They had come for the -purpose of carrying off some sheep and cattle, and having waited till -this late hour they had not expected to find a witness to their robbery. -Quietly and stealthily as they had landed, however, their intentions -could not be carried out without some disturbance, and Harry was first -made aware of their presence by the sudden helter-skelter of the sheep -and the immediate curiosity expressed by poor White Star, whose evening -meal was to be so violently disturbed. - -In a moment more Harry had seized the situation, which indeed it was not -difficult to do, as he now beheld one of his father's sheep suddenly -captured by the clever expedient of an extemporised lasso, and when the -poor animal had been dragged towards its captor the robber made short -work of tying his victim's legs together, and leaving it to bleat beside -him whilst he proceeded to capture another in the same manner, before -dragging them to the long-boat. - -All the fierce courage of the hardy yeoman's son rose to its height as -he beheld this daring robbery carried on under his very eyes. Nay, when -the strongest and foremost man began unconcernedly to make his way -towards White Star herself, the boy's indignation knew no bounds. - -'How now?' he cried indignantly. 'What do you mean, you rascals, by -coming here? this is our field and our cattle; away at once, and unloose -the sheep, or, by'r laykin! it will be worse for you. I will call for -help, and you will soon be treated in such a manner as you deserve.' - -This fierce speech had not, however, the desired effect. The man -laughed ironically as if Harry were a mere baby, and approaching White -Star he swiftly threw the lasso over the animal's sleek head. - -'Out of the way, young blusterer, or it will be the worse for thee. Our -master, the captain, requires these cattle to victual our ship before -sailing; come, off with thee! and don't halloo all the breath out of thy -body.' - -But Harry's blood was up. Enraged at the man's daring and effrontery, -he seized a stout stick from the hedge-row and sprang upon the intruder -with the fury of a young lion. He never considered the inequality of -the struggle or the folly of his engaging single-handed with a ruffian -of this description; he only thought of saving his father's property and -avenging the insult. Nor were his well-directed blows mere -make-believe, and as the man before him was suddenly aware of a sharp -stinging pain across his forehead, he let go the lasso and sprang on to -the boy with a fierce oath. - -[Illustration: "_HARRY'S BLOOD WAS UP_"] - -'What, you young viper, you dare to strike me? Well, take that. Here, -Jim, this way, bring the rope here; I'll teach this churl to bethump -me.' - -As he spoke he wrenched away poor Harry's stick, and with a -well-directed blow he laid the boy on the ground. Harry felt a terrible -pain in his head, his brain seemed to reel; bright, blood-red flashes -blotted out the familiar fields, and then with a groan of pain he -stretched out his right arm to grasp at some support, after which he -remembered no more. - -The man appealed to as Jim had now run up, and laughed as he saw Harry -fall insensible on the dewy grass. - -'Bravo! the lad fell in fair fight, Joseph; but i'fecks! who would have -thought of seeing you engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with such a -stripling? Hast done for him, comrade?' he added with curiosity, in -which was mingled neither pity nor fear. And yet the sight of Harry -Fenn might have softened even a hard heart, one would have thought, as -he lay there in the twilight on the dewy grass, whilst a slow trickling -line of red blood fell from his forehead over his fair curling hair. - -'Here, make haste,' said the first man, whom his friend addressed as -Coxon, 'the captain's orders were that we must lose no time; there'll be -several more trips this evening, and he means to run down the Channel -before morning.' - -'Then we'd best not leave the lad here. What say you, Coxon, shall I -despatch him for fear of his waking up and telling tales before we -return?' - -Coxon looked down on the brave lad, and decided, he knew not why, to act -more mercifully. - -'Let him be, or wait--tie his legs and throw him in the long-boat; on -our ship he'll tell no tales, and when we cast anchor we can drop him -somewhere, or give him a seaman's burial if he's dead, for, to tell the -truth, it was a good whack that I dealt him. Now, Jim, quick, for fear -some of those land dolts come down upon us, and deafen us with their -complaints.' - -After this quick certainly was the word. Harry was tied, much after the -fashion of his own sheep, and cast with little ceremony into the -long-boat; further booty was secured, till no more could be carried -during this trip, and then, as silently as it had come, the boat was -rowed swiftly down the creek till they reached their destination, -namely, the good ship 'Scorpion,' a privateer bound for the West Indies, -after having lately made a very successful bargain with the cargo it had -safely brought home. - -How long Harry remained unconscious he never knew: when he came to -himself it was some time before he could collect any sequence in his -thoughts. He felt, however, that he was in a cramped and confined -place, and so put out his hands to make more room, as it were, for his -limbs; but he could give no explanation to himself of his whereabouts, -though he half realised that the night air was blowing in his face, and -that something like sea spray now and then seemed to be dashed on his -head. His hands were free, but what of his legs? He experienced a -sharp cutting pain above his ankles, and with some difficulty he reached -down to the seat of pain with one of his hands. Yes, there was a rope -tied round his legs; who had done this, and where was he? He remembered -standing on Haesten's mound looking longingly at the sea, and he also -recalled Mr. Aylett's words and his own fierce struggle against his -strong inclinations, and then--what had followed? - -Here for a long time his mind remained a blank, till a decided lurch -forced the conviction upon him that he was certainly in a ship, not on -the green marsh meadow at home. - -Home! He must make haste and get home; his father would wonder what -kept him so long, it was quite dark; how anxious his fond mother would -be. He must at once get rid of that horrid thing that prevented his -rising, and he must run as fast as he could back to Pitsea Farm. But -what of White Star? White Star, the meadow, the--the---- - -All at once the scene of his conflict flashed into his mind, and the -awful truth burst upon him. He was a prisoner in some enemy's ship--or -could it be in one of those dreadful privateers, whose ravages were -often spoken of, and whom Mr. Aylett had said ought to be put down by -Government with a firm hand? Ay, and those ruffians who had treated him -with such brutality, they must be no other than some of those dreaded -buccaneers, whose atrocities in the West Indies made the blood of -peaceable people run cold, and wonder why God's judgments did not -descend on all who abetted such crimes. Harry, as we know, was very -brave, and yet he shuddered as the truth forced itself on his mind; it -was not so much from a feeling of fear, but because, to the boy's weak, -fevered brain, the terrible calamity that had overtaken him seemed to -be, as it were, a punishment for his old and secret longings, and his -discontent at the dull home life. - -Then followed a period of great mental pain for the boy, and after -having vainly tried to free himself, he lay back utterly spent with the -exertion, and with the feeling that perhaps he was reserved for worse -tortures. Harry had heard many and many a terrible story of the doings -of these buccaneers, who plundered, without distinction, the ships of -all nations, and amassed treasures in the West Indies and the Spanish -Main, and whose inhuman conduct to their prisoners was not much better -than that experienced by the unfortunate Christian prisoners from the -pirates of Algiers. Harry's courage was nearly giving way at these -thoughts, and as no one was by to see him a few bitter tears rolled down -his cheeks; but as he put up his hand to brush them away he suddenly -felt ashamed of his weakness. - -'God helping me,' thought he, 'whatever these rascals call themselves -they shall not see me in tears, be the pretence never so great; it were -a pretty story to take back to my father and good Mr. Aylett, that I was -found weeping like a girl; but all the same I wish they would give me -something to eat. In truth I could devour very willingly a sirloin of -beef if it were offered me.' - -Hunger is but a melancholy companion, and as the time still passed on -and no one came near him, though Harry could hear the tramp of feet -above him distinctly enough, the boy began to fear he should be left to -die of slow starvation; and though this idea was very fearful to a -growing lad, yet he determined that even this suffering should not make -him cry out, and, clenching his teeth together, he lay down again and -tried to say a few mental prayers. Evidently he must have dozed off, -for the next thing he remembered was the sound of a rough voice telling -him to get up; at the same time the rope that tied his feet was hastily -cut and he felt himself led along a dark passage and pushed up a -hatchway, feeling too dazed and weak to notice anything till he was -thrust through the door of a small cabin. - -By this time Harry's spirit had returned; he forgot his pain and his -hunger, and, straightening himself, tried to wrench his arm away from -the iron grasp of the sailor that led him. - -'What right have you fellows to keep me prisoner here?' cried Harry. -'But as we are upon the high seas it's not likely I can escape, so you -need not pinion me down in this fashion.' - -At this moment a tall, powerful, and very handsome man entered the -cabin, and, hearing Harry's words, burst into a loud and cheerful laugh. - -'What, Mings! is this the boy you spoke of? By my faith, you have caged -a little eaglet! But we can soon cut his claws and stop his pretty -prating. How now, boy: answer truly, and tell me thy name; for we are no -lovers of ill-manners and insolence.' - -Harry Fenn had been struck dumb by the appearance of the new comer, so -that he had ceased struggling with Mings, and now gazed at the -courtly-looking man, whose whole bearing spoke of a certain rough -refinement and assured courage, such as Harry had believed attainable -only by a gentleman of birth and breeding. Evidently the man before him -was the captain of the crew, but he was no mere rough sailor such as -Harry had often seen at home; on the contrary, his dress was both rich -and elegant; he wore his hair in flowing locks just below his neck; a -cravat of muslin edged with rich lace was round his throat, and the ends -of the bow hung over his thick doublet, which was embroidered in a -running pattern. His scarf, thrown over one shoulder and tied at his -waist, was heavy with gold embroidery and fringe, and the sword that -dangled at his side was evidently of Spanish make, and richly chased. As -to his countenance, the more Harry gazed the less he could believe this -man had anything to do with the buccaneers of the West Indies he had -heard so much about, for the Captain's expression was open, and even -pleasant. His eyes were of a pale blue, shaded by soft and reddish -eyebrows; his nose straight and well formed; and though his mouth was -somewhat full and coarse, yet there was nothing bad-tempered about it; -and the curling moustache and small tuft of hair on his chin reminded -one of a jolly cavalier more than of a dreaded sea-captain. Yes, Harry -fancied he might be mistaken, and that this gentleman was in truth a -loyal captain of His Majesty's Navy, and that his own capture was all -some terrible mistake. This idea gave him courage, and, shaking himself -free from his jailor, he advanced boldly towards the handsome-looking -man, who surely must be the soul of honour, and no enemy to the public. - -'Oh, sir, I fancied I had fallen into the hands of evil men; but surely -I am mistaken, and you will see justice done me. I am a yeoman's son. -My name is Harry Fenn, and my father owns a farm at South Benfleet. I -had but gone down to see after one of our cows who had been sick, when -suddenly your men waylaid me when I defended our cattle, and used me in -a brutish manner. Had they wanted to buy cattle, my father could have -directed them to those willing to sell. I did but my duty in defending -my father's property, and I doubt not that they gave you quite a wrong -tale of my behaviour; but indeed, sir, it was not true, and though I -have been treated very roughly I beg you to see justice done to me, and -to have me landed on our English coast; for my parents will be sadly put -about on account of my disappearance, and very solicitous about my -safety.' - -Harry paused, expecting the handsome captain to express his regret at -what had happened. Instead of this, his words were received with a loud -laugh by Mings; and apparently they also much tickled the fancy of the -Captain, for he joined in the merriment, though he looked with kindly -eyes on the handsome youth, who, in spite of his being a good deal -bespattered with mud and blood stains, was yet a very pleasant picture -of a bold, fearless English boy. - -'Thou art over-bold, young fellow,' said Mings when he had laughed -heartily. 'Doubtless our captain will teach thee how to mind thy -speech. Shall I stow the lad away, sir, in the hold? I take it he will -come forth in a humbler frame of mind, and with less zeal for defending -cattle.' - -'Nay, Mings, leave him to me; such a home bird is an uncommon sight, and -having fallen on deck for want of a stronger wing, he must needs stay -aboard. Go and attend to the guns, and tell the watch to keep a sharp -look-out for any strange sail, and I'll see to the boy.' - -Mings appeared a little sulky at this order, and took the opportunity of -roughly grasping Harry's shoulder as he went by, with the remark: - -'Keep a civil tongue in thy head, young scarecrow, or Captain Henry -Morgan will soon teach thee to wag it less glibly. It would want but a -small gun to blow thee back to the English shore if thou art so anxious -to get back--eh, Captain?' - -The Captain frowned instead of answering, and Mings made off as quickly -as possible; but by this time Harry had recovered from his surprise. - -'Then it's true,' he said quickly; 'you are in truth the infamous Henry -Morgan the buccaneer, whose name is a terror to all honest folk. I only -hope one of His Majesty's men-of-war will give chase, and I will do all -in my power to give information. It is a dastardly act that you have -done, for you have stolen our property and allowed your men shamefully -to ill-use me.' - -Harry never stayed to think how unwise his words were: he was so angry -at having made a mistake and having fancied this courtly man was an -honest gentleman, that he cared nothing at the moment about the -consequences of his violent language; indeed, he was all the more -furious when he noticed that Captain Morgan seemed only amused by his -burst of indignation. - -'Thou art a brave lad, and I like to see thy spirit. Tell me thy name. -I wager it is an honest one.' - -'Ay, truly. Harry Fenn is my name--an honest English yeoman's son, and -one that will receive no favours from a buccaneer,' answered Harry, -crossing his arms. - -'Then thou art my namesake, lad, i' fecks! See, I'll forgive thy hasty -words, and take thee for my godson. As for thy parents, well, they must -take the chances of war as others do, for there can be no putting back -to land now. We had to be very crafty to avoid a large three-decker of -sixty-four guns that, I fancy, had scent of my poor frigate; but we ran -up the French flag, and so got off; and now we are making a very fair -journey towards Jamaica. Art hungry, lad? There's no use lying about -thy stomach, for it's a hard taskmaster, and, now I come to think of it, -no one has heeded thee or thy wants since the cutter put thee aboard.' - -Hunger was indeed a very hard taskmaster for at this moment Harry Fenn -felt a dizziness which he could hardly control, and he half fell on a -bench which was beside him, and against which he had been leaning. -Captain Morgan continued: - -'Come, Harry Fenn, you're a brave lad, and we'll strike a bargain. I've -taken a fancy to you, my boy, and I'll try and protect you from the -sailors. We are rough people at times, but not so bad as we're painted; -so if you'll work like the rest, I'll warrant you good provender and as -merry a life as we sea-folk know how to lead.' - -'I will not work for such as you,' said Harry boldly; 'my father brought -me up in honest ways. I would rather die than join hands with such men -as your crew.' - -'By my troth, boy, you are ignorant of our good deeds, I well see,' said -Captain Morgan. 'Many of those in power are glad enough of our inroads -on the Spanish Settlements, for those rogues get only their deserts if -we make them discharge a little of their gold. Hast never heard of our -worthy predecessors? The authorities were less squeamish in those days, -and called the deeds of bold men by fine names, whereas now, in truth, -it is convenient to dub us buccaneers. There was Sir Thomas Seymour, -and before him there were fine doings by Clarke's squadron. By St. -George, he was a lucky man! and after six weeks' cruise he brought back -a prize of 50,000*l.* taken from the Spaniards. And how about Drake, -Hawkins, and Cavendish? There were no ugly names hurled at them, and -yet methinks they and we go much on the same lines. In truth we have -done good service also against those rascally Dutch, and for that alone -we deserve better treatment than we get.' - -Captain Morgan now noticed that Harry had become deadly pale, and, -hastily rising, the buccaneer opened a locker and took from it a black -bottle, the contents of which he poured into a glass. - -'Here, lad, thou art faint; this will revive thy courage. But first -swear that thou wilt be one of us.' - -Harry had eagerly stretched forth his hand to take the glass, but at -these words he drew back. - -'Nay, but I will not swear; if God wills, I can die, but I will not -sully my father's name.' - -Captain Morgan frowned angrily, and, striding up to Harry, took hold of -his arm with his left hand, and with his right seized the hilt of his -sword as he exclaimed-- - -'Swear, boy, or it will be worse for thee.' Harry Fenn made one last -great effort and staggered to his feet; then with his right hand he -struck the glass with as much strength as he possessed, and saw the red -wine spurt out upon the floor and upon the Captain's doublet. - -'God helping me, I will not swear,' he cried; but the words were barely -audible, as he fell fainting on the floor. - -'As brave a lad as I ever cast eyes on!' said the Captain, losing his -stern expression, and, stooping down, he poured a few drops of the wine -into Harry's mouth; then, calling for the cook, he bade him tend the boy -till he should have regained his strength. - -'Harry Fenn shall be under my protection,' said the Captain to himself, -'but in time he must be one of us.' - - - - - CHAPTER III. - - A BEAUTIFUL ISLAND. - - -It is the beginning of December 1670 in the beautiful little Island of -St. Catherine, one of the West Indian Islands, which were at this time -the rich treasure-house of most of the European nations, where -Spaniards, French, English, and Dutch all hoped to make their fortunes -in some way or other, and where, alas! the idle and good-for-nothing men -of the Old World attempted by unlawful means to win fame and fortune, -which, when achieved, as often as not brought them neither happiness nor -profit. - -Though it is December, in St. Catherine there is nothing cold or -disagreeable in the weather, and all around the beauty of the scene -delights the eye. The mountains, though of no great height, are wooded -with the loveliest tropical vegetation; the well-watered valleys are -little Gardens of Eden; whilst in some portions, not yet cleared by -either natives, Spaniards, or Englishmen, the original forests rise up -like giants of nature whom no hand of man has laid low. In these -forests are endless varieties of birds--parrots, pigeons, and -hummingbirds of every colour. Here, too, can be found land-crabs which -much resemble sea-crabs in shape and manner of walking; but instead of -finding a home under rocks and boulders, these crabs burrow in the -forests, and once a year form themselves into a regiment and march down -to the sea-coast for the purpose of depositing their young in the -waters. This regiment has only one line of march; it never diverges -from it, but whatever comes in its way is climbed over--straight over it -go the crabs; and such a noise they make that you can hear the -clattering of their claws for a considerable distance. - -We must not now stop to describe this West Indian island, which is full -of beauty and curious plants and trees; but if you come to the wood that -leads to the great Spanish fortress of Santa Teresa, you will find a -steep path through the luxurious forest, leading over a drawbridge to -the castle. What a view can be seen from thence over the port! But it -was not the view that the Governor's children were thinking of as they -walked together in the garden which sloped down towards the sea, and -which was especially reserved for the Governor and his family. - -Felipa del Campo was a tall dark girl of about fourteen years of age, -but she looked older, and there was a sad expression on her face as she -gazed up to her brother, a noble-looking fellow a year older, with the -long, grave-looking countenance of the Spanish nobility. He was -dressed, after the fashion of that time, in embroidered doublet, short -velvet tunic, and trunk hose; whilst his well-shaped limbs were -displayed to perfection in silk stockings. His shoes had buckles set -with diamonds, and his tall Spanish hat was plumed. - -Felipa, on her side, had a long silver-embroidered skirt, beneath which -her dainty feet hardly appeared; a small stomacher sewn with seed pearls -set off her lithe figure, whilst her pretty, dark hair strayed from -beneath a rich black lace kerchief. - -'Where is my father, Carlo?' asked Felipa. 'Old Catalina says he has -been down to-day to give orders about the repair of the bridge between -the two islands. Do you think he is expecting any danger? Surely the -forts are well protected; but what can make him so busy?' - -'I don't know what to think,' said Carlo sadly, 'our father is so -strange of late. I have been trying to speak to you about it, Felipa, -for several days, but sometimes I fancy he seems to watch me as if he -suspected me; though of what I cannot imagine. And then--have you -noticed?--he cannot make up his mind to anything; he orders something -one day, and the next he has altered his mind. He promised me the -command of the little fort of Santa Cruz when I should be fifteen; but -this morning when I reminded him of this he spoke quite roughly, and -told me I was fit for nothing but playing with girls.' - -Carlo's colour heightened at the very idea of this rebuke; for if there -was one virtue the boy admired more than any other it was courage. These -two children had been early left motherless; but old Catalina, a -faithful servant, had done all she could to make their lives happy since -she had brought them here from Spain, after the Marquis Don Estevan del -Campo had been made Governor of St. Catherine. - -'Catalina says that our father is not the same man he was when our -mother first married him,' said Felipa thoughtfully. 'The many worries -he has have made the change. But never mind, Carlo, this mood will pass -by, and we shall be happy again. When our brave uncle, Don Alvarez, -comes with dear Aunt Elena, then they will advise our father, and he -always takes Uncle Alvarez's opinion. He always does, because uncle -speaks so decidedly.' - -The two children spoke in Spanish, but, strangely enough, they often put -in English words and whole English phrases; and the reason of this was -soon apparent, for at this moment a pretty, fair girl was seen running -towards them with nimble feet down the slope, and, picking her way among -the gorgeous flower-beds, she cried out in pure English, though with a -slightly foreign accent: - -'Dear Felipa, what do you think! There is a trading-vessel in the port, -and the merchant has just come to offer us some beautiful cloth, and -silver buckles! Catalina dares not send him away till you have seen -him.' - -Carlo smiled as he looked at the English girl's beautiful fair hair, -rosy cheeks, and active limbs. To him she appeared like some angel, for -he was accustomed to seeing only dark people, and the Spanish women in -the island were anything but beautiful. Felipa shook her head as she -answered: - -'Tell Catalina to say I want nothing.' The Governor's daughter spoke -with just that tone of command which showed she was accustomed to be -first, even though her gentle manner and sad face plainly indicated that -her real nature was rather yielding than imperious. - -'I can see Etta admired the silver buckles,' said Carlo kindly. 'Come, -Mistress Englishwoman, I will buy you a pair; for, with the dislike to -long petticoats that comes from your English blood, the pretty buckles -are more necessary for you than for Felipa.' - -'Oh, dear Carlo, will you really!' said Etta, her face beaming with -pleasure. 'How good you are to me!' All at once, however, the smile -died away, and, sitting down on a seat near Felipa, the English girl -added, with tears in her blue eyes: - -'But no, Carlo, I will not accept your buckles: a prisoner has no right -to wear pretty things.' - -'A prisoner! Oh, Etta!' said Felipa, throwing her arms round Etta's -neck, 'why do you say that? Do we not love you dearly? Am I not a -sister to you? and Carlo a dear brother? Do I not share all my things -with you? And when Catalina is cross to you I make her sorry.' - -'And my father has almost forgotten you are not one of his own,' added -Carlo, standing behind Etta and taking one of the fair curls in his -hand; for he dearly loved this English sister, as he called Etta -Allison. - -'Yes, yes, it is all true, and Santa Teresa is a lovely home; but I -cannot forget I am English, and that I am really a prisoner. I once -asked Don Estevan to send me back to England by one of the big ships, -and he refused; and yet my mother's last words were that I was not to -forget my own land.' - -At the thought of her mother Etta's tears came fast; but at this moment -the Governor of St. Catherine himself appeared in the garden, and Etta, -being afraid to be seen crying, dried her tears and stooped down to play -with Felipa's little dog, so as not to show her red eyes. When she -looked up again the sunshine had returned to her bonnie-looking face. - -The Marquis Don Estevan del Campo was a small thin-looking man, who had -long suffered from a liver complaint, and in consequence his whole -nature seemed to be changed. From a determined, clever administrator he -had become peevish, undecided, and ill-tempered; and the men under him -hardly knew how to obey his orders, which were often very contradictory. - -To-day he walked towards Carlo, with a troubled expression on his face, -and on the way he took occasion to find fault with a slave who was -watering the flower-beds. The slave trembled, as he was bidden in a -very imperious fashion to be quicker about his work. - -Carlo came to meet his father, doffing his hat in the courtly fashion of -a young Spanish noble. - -'What are you doing here, children?' the Marquis said. 'Is not this -your hour of study?' - -'You have forgotten, my father, that it is a holiday to-day; and I was -coming to ask if Felipa and Etta might not come down to the bay with me -and have a row in my canoe.' - -The Marquis looked up quickly. - -'No, no: there must be no rowing to-day; I have set workmen to repair -the bridge, and you had best keep at home.' - -'Then we will go to the Orange Grove,' said Felipa, coming up and -putting her hand on her father's arm, 'and Etta and I will pick some of -the sweetest fruit for your dessert this evening.' - -'As you like, Felipa; but do not go far, and take Catalina and some of -the slaves with you, for I hear several of the wild dogs have been seen -in this neighbourhood. Anyhow, you will not have very long before -sunset.' - -'I will let the girls go alone, then,' said Carlo, 'and come with you, -father.' And so saying the Marquis and his son walked away, whilst the -girls with an escort of slaves entered the forest and went down the -mountain side. This forest was not, however, such a one as could be -found in England. Here the pleasant breeze played among the leaves of a -huge fan palm with leaf-stalks ten feet long and fans twelve feet broad; -next to it might be found a groo-groo or coco palm, and bananas and -plantains; and below these giant trees of the tropics were lovely -shrubs, covered with flowers of every hue and shape, round which flitted -great orange butterflies larger than any we can see in our colder -climate; and Etta with her English blood and active nature was never -tired of chasing them, though now and then a little afraid of meeting -with snakes. - -A great deal of this forest had not been cleared; but close by the path -the Governor had had much of the undergrowth cut away, and lower down he -had planted a grove of orange-trees, whose green fruit Etta and Felipa -loved to pick; and round about was a lovely wild garden where grew -sensitive plants and scarlet-flowered balisiers and climbing ferns, over -which twined convolvuli of every colour, whilst the bees buzzed about -these honeycups, never caring to fly up to the great cotton-trees so far -above them, because they found enough beauty and sweetness in the -flowers below. - -Felipa and Etta did not know the names of even half the beautiful -flowers they gathered that evening; but they invented fancy names for -many of them, and arranged with good taste a bunch of roses they picked -from a bush twenty feet high, glad that a few were within their reach, -and longing for Carlo, so that he might pull down some more for them. - -Of course there were drawbacks even in this lovely place, for there were -the wasps and the spiders to avoid, and centipedes and ants, too; though -Etta was never tired of watching the 'parasol ants' who walk in -procession, each carrying a bit of green leaf over its head, on which -were to be found now and then baby ants, having a ride home in their -elegant carriage. - -Ah, it was a beautiful and wonderful home these young Spaniards had on -this Santa Teresa hill; but at that time even the children in West -Indian homes knew there were dangers that might come upon them, and St. -Catherine had already been the scene of disasters which Etta could just -remember, but which Felipa had seen nothing of as yet, having only been -brought from Spain when the Marquis was firmly established as Governor -of the island. - -After the girls had gathered as big nosegays as they could carry they -began to ascend the hill again, for darkness would soon come upon them, -there being no twilight in this lovely region, and even with their -escort of slaves they were not allowed to be out after sunset. - -'Dear Etta,' said Felipa, putting her arm round her friend's neck, -'promise me you will never again call yourself a prisoner. You would -not care to leave me and beautiful Santa Teresa to go back to that -dreadfully cold, foggy England? Surely you have not found us such cruel -Spaniards as your people talk of; and Carlo loves you better than he -loves me, I think.' - -Etta smiled and kissed her friend, but she answered: - -'I love you and Carlo very, very much, Felipa; but my dear mother told -me before she died that I was never to part with the letters she gave -me, and that some day I must go home and find my relations; for in my -country I come from an honourable family, but here I am only an English -prisoner.' - -Felipa was going to argue the question again, when Carlo came running -down to meet them. - -'Make haste, Felipa and Etta: my father has suddenly made up his mind to -go to the other island this evening; he means to sleep at the Fort St. -Jerome, and he says we may accompany him.' The girls, always ready for -a little journey, as they seldom left Santa Teresa, clapped their hands -in joy and ran up the narrow path to the entrance of the castle, in high -glee at the unexpected pleasure. - - - - - CHAPTER IV. - - THE PIRATES ARE COMING. - - -St. Catherine is composed of two islands, but so small was the space -between them that the Marquis had had a secure bridge built across the -tiny strait, and the two islands were always reckoned as one. The -children were quite ignorant of the reason of their sudden trip to the -greater island, and indeed they only thought of enjoying the fun of -going to a new residence; for close to St. Jerome was the Governor's -house, near a battery called the Platform, and in sight of the Bay of -Aquada Grande. A river ran from the Platform to the sea, and the -Marquis had wished to assure himself of the forts being in good order, -as the captain of a friendly ship touching lately at St. Catherine had -sent a message to him that there were rumours of some attempt on Panama -being set on foot by the pirates, and that the Governor of Panama begged -Don Estevan del Campo to keep a sharp look-out at St. Catherine, for -that island had once been in the hands of the English pirates, and it -was known that since the great buccaneer Mansfelt had died and the -island had been re-taken by the Spaniards great hopes were entertained -by several bands of English pirates that this little island might once -more belong to them. It was for this reason that the Spaniards had -constructed many forts on the island, especially on the lesser St. -Catherine, which was not quite so well provided with natural defences as -was the larger island. - -It was the receipt of this news that had so greatly disturbed the -much-worn-out Marquis, and his nerves were indeed hardly equal to the -difficult duties entrusted to him. Pirates had increased terribly of -late years. Jamaica, though it had a Governor supposed to be engaged in -suppressing them, was yet quite a nest of these bold outlaws, who, -taking advantage of the English jealousy of Spain, cared not what -outrage they committed on Spanish towns and Spanish islands; though, in -truth, other nations fared but little better at their hands. - -The Marquis had examined the fortresses in the lesser island, and was -much troubled at the few men that were at his disposal for manning them, -and for the defence of the island generally; and now, having come to St. -Jerome, he determined to send a boat down the river this very evening in -order to ask for help and advice from the Governor of Costa Rica, Don -John Perez de Guzman, who had five years before so ably retaken the -island. But all this amount of thought and anxiety had quite unnerved -the poor Marquis, who scolded every one about him, found fault with the -garrison, and severely punished some negro slaves for their idleness in -the plantations of the Platform; but, as the negroes were always idle, -they considered their punishment very unfair. - -The next evening Carlo went into the pretty sitting-room of the girls, -which looked upon the river and out towards the beautiful bay; but when -Felipa, who was very musical, and could sing in French, Spanish, and -English, took up her lute, begging him to join in, he shook his head and -surprised her by his answer. - -'Felipa, don't ask me to sing; I am sure something is the matter with -our father. He has got into a passion with Espada, and has put him in -irons. It is very unwise, for Espada is a revengeful man, and he has -great influence with the other men in the fort, some of whom were once -outlaws from Puerto Velo. I wish I were a man and that my father would -consult me. His Catholic Majesty ought to give my father a pension and -let us all go back to Spain, for I am sure this place does not agree -with him.' - -Etta listened sadly to Carlo's words; when he was troubled about his -father she was very sorry, for the boy was one whom nobody could help -loving and admiring. - -'Dear Carlo, if the King of Spain knew you he would, I am sure, make you -Governor of beautiful St. Catherine, and then the poor negroes would not -be oppressed, nor the gentle Indians hunted with dogs as you say they -are sometimes. My father used to tell me of the dreadful cruelties used -towards those poor people in past days. In England such things would -not be allowed.' And, so saying, Etta raised her head proudly, feeling -that an Englishman was better than a Spaniard. - -Felipa passed her hands over the lute, saying, as the sweet tones were -wafted through the room: - -'Do not talk of such things, Etta. I am sure our Indians are not -unhappy. Andreas loves us clearly; and we make the negroes, not the -Indians, work on the marshes. Now I shall sing to drive away your ugly -fancies.' - -And she sang softly an evening hymn in Spanish, and Carlo and Etta -joined in too, so that the sound of the young voices floated over the -clear waters of the river, whilst the scent of sweet spice plants was -wafted in. Surely Felipa was right: it was not suitable to talk of -human miseries when all around nature was so exquisite. Old Catalina -soon came in with the evening supper, saying the Marquis had gone out -and would sup alone; and very early the girls retired to bed; Carlo told -them not to dream of troubles, because he should be next door to them in -case they were frightened. He felt that his sister was under his charge -now that their father the Marquis was so little able to see after her. - -Old Catalina counted her beads and muttered her prayers long after the -two girls were sleeping soundly; and as she stooped over Etta's bed and -noticed how fair the girl was, she murmured: 'It is a pity this pretty -child is a Protestant; but I hope when she is older she will be one with -us; for otherwise the Marquis will thrust her out and not let her come -home with us to Spain, and my darling Felipa will break her heart, for -she loves her English playfellow dearly.' - -But the night was not to pass as quietly and peacefully as it had begun. -Catalina lay on a mattress in her young mistress's room; but, being a -heavy sleeper, she did not hear a hasty knock at the door, and the -repeated call of 'Catalina! Felipa! quick! open the door! Why do you -all sleep so soundly!' - -Etta was the first to awake, and, throwing a coloured shawl about her, -she ran to the door and opened it. - -'What is up, Carlo?' she said rather sleepily. - -'Wake Catalina and Felipa, and make haste and dress yourselves. My -father says we must fly from here at once: the pirates are outside the -bay. They will land early to-morrow, perhaps opposite this very fort. I -beseech you, make all haste you can.' In a few minutes the frightened -girl had shaken Catalina, and was trying to explain to Felipa what the -danger was which threatened them. - -'Oh, Felipa, the pirates are coming! Quick! quick! make haste and -dress, for the Marquis says we must go back to Santa Teresa at once.' - -Catalina began wringing her hands as poor Felipa turned deadly pale. - -'We shall all be killed! May the saints protect us! Ah, my poor lamb! -who could have believed those wicked wretches would have dared to show -themselves here again, and in your father's lifetime. Alas! alas! make -haste, sweetheart, and let us fly!' - -Felipa was so frightened that she could hardly dress herself; and poor -Etta, who knew more about the dreaded sea-robbers than did Felipa, tried -to be brave in order not to increase the Spanish girl's terror. Etta -was brave, and in many ways fearless in all ordinary affairs; but the -cry 'The pirates are coming!' was one of the most dreaded in the West -Indies--a cry which had often taken the spirit out of the heart of a -bold sea-captain, who knew the desperate courage and reckless -indifference to life exhibited by the men who infested these seas. - -When Catalina and the girls were dressed they stepped forth, to find the -Marquis and Carlo waiting for them. The former was walking up and down -the hall of the house discussing the terrible news with some Spanish -officers. - -'Your Excellency knows that this fort cannot long resist a fierce -assault,' said one of them. 'Were it not better to evacuate the -Platform and concentrate our forces on the lesser island batteries? The -fortresses there are strongly built, and with our men we could put them -in a better state of resistance.' - -'They will not land to-night,' said the wretched Marquis, looking the -picture of an undecided man. 'If you think, Don Francisco, that flight -would be the best plan, give orders to your men. Ah, here are the -children. Are the horses ready? We have no time to waste; and yet what -say you? Perhaps these wretches will think better of it, and leave Port -St. Catherine in peace. Were it not better after all to stay here?' - -'Let us stay, father,' put in Carlo. 'If you will let me fight, I am -sure I shall be able to defend this place. Do not let this handful of -rascals believe we fear them.' - -'Give your opinion, Carlo, when you are asked, and not before. Are the -horses ready? Now, Felipa, wrap your scarf well round you; we have a -long way to go. Yes, I think it is better to go than to stay.' - -'We shall be safe at Santa Teresa, father, are you sure?' sobbed Felipa; -whilst Etta, looking at Carlo's fearless expression of face, determined -to say nothing, for he had once said girls were always afraid. - -It was a very anxious and silent cavalcade that made its way back -towards the small island that night, and contrasted strangely with that -which had come hither but quite lately, laughing and chatting to their -hearts' content. - -Carlo, however, managed to ride near Etta occasionally when the ground -was clearer so as to allow their horses to walk abreast. Felipa kept -close to her father, as if near him she would be quite safe from the -dreaded foes. Every now and then she looked back into the darkness -towards the little village at the foot of the Platform; where, however, -all was at present still and quiet. - -'Is it really true?' whispered Etta to Carlo, as if she could be heard -from this distance; 'have they been seen?' - -'I think so. Jose the one-eyed, who, they say, was once a pirate -himself, noticed the ships creeping round towards the bay just before -sundown, and he came all the way from San Salvador to give the news, -hearing my father was here. However, of course they may think better of -attacking us. Jose believes he recognises one of Mansfelt's old ships; -but I think terror gives him double sight, For all that, I wish my -father would have stayed and driven off the rascals on their first -landing. It looks as if we feared them, and that will make them -bolder.' - -Not much more was said, and the cavalcade rode through the dark forest, -and then emerged on the sea coast, for towards the north of the island -the cliffs became lower, and before reaching the bridge there was a good -stretch of open country. - -'God be praised, and all his saints!' said Catalina, 'I can see the -crest of Santa Teresa. We shall now soon be in safety. The rascals -cannot climb our mountain; and if they come we can hurl them down into -the sea. I wouldn't mind helping to do that with my own hands.' - -The Marquis had already sent on a messenger to collect several officers -at the Castle of Santa Teresa, which, with its thick walls, its great -moat, its impregnable cliff on the sea-side, and its difficult ascent -towards the land, was a secure retreat, where the Governor could hold a -council of war, and decide what course to take as to repulsing the enemy -should he land on the shores of St. Catherine. - -'I wish my father would take his own counsel,' thought Carlo for the -hundredth time, 'and then he would at least know his own mind. However, -now there is real danger, he cannot prevent my helping to defend my -sister and my home.' And this feeling made the proud, brave boy forget -that fighting does not always mean victory, and caused him not to be -altogether sorry that he should have a chance of distinguishing himself, -and perhaps--who knew?--the King of Spain would hear of it. Carlo had -read of the deeds of brave knights and of their wonderful exploits, and -was eager to begin also his own career of fame; but reality is often, -alas, very unlike our dreams. - -All nature was fully awake when the Governor reached Santa Teresa; and -the girls, once more safely surrounded by habitual sights and sounds, -forgot their fears, and, after a little rest and refreshment, began, as -before, running happily about the gardens within the enclosure. The -guards were, however, at once doubled, and the negro slaves posted in -the wood. - -'Here we shall not see the pirates land,' said Felipa, now almost -disappointed, 'nor the punishment our people will give them. I am sure -Carlo would have been able to defeat them with the help of a few men. -Don't you think so, Etta?' - -'I do not know; but, Felipa, let us say our prayers, and then we shall -be sure they will not hurt us. Do you know that, in the excitement of -the journey, I forgot mine this morning; and I promised my mother never -to leave them out.' - -'So did I,' exclaimed Felipa, 'but I shall tell Padre Augustine and he -will forgive me.' Etta had no such comfort, for she had been early -imbued by her parents with a great disbelief in the religion of the -Spanish settlers; but from living with Felipa, and being kindly treated -by her captors, she had begun to take Felipa's opinions as a matter of -course; though now and then the girls had little differences as to the -various merits of their Churches. Had Etta not been of a very -determined character, most likely she would have forgotten her own -faith; but early troubles had made her old in ideas, and passionate love -for her dead parents kept all their wishes in her mind. She would -sooner have died than have become a Roman Catholic, and at present the -Marquis had not taken the trouble to inquire into the matter. Had -Felipa not wanted a companion, Etta's fate might have been a sad one; as -it was, she enjoyed all the privileges of the Governor's little -daughter. But often the English girl would steal away to read over some -of her precious letters, or to kiss the few relics she possessed of the -gentle mother who had died at St. Catherine. In these days many sad -stories might have been told of the sufferings of the wives of the -merchants or Governors who had to live away from their country, or who -for some reason crossed the seas to come to the West Indies. The prisons -of Algeria and the haunts of the West Indian pirates could have -revealed, and did reveal, many a sad story of captivity and -ill-treatment. - -But the day was not to pass without news of the enemy; for in the -afternoon Carlo, who had been round the fort with his father, ran in to -tell the girls that a messenger had just arrived from the other island. - -'The saints protect us! And what does he say? Have they made dried meat -of them already?' said Catalina, referring to the meaning of the word -buccaneer. - -'The enemy has landed below the Platform; they are about a thousand -strong, and their leader is no other than the terrible Captain Morgan -the Englishman,' said Carlo, much excited. - -'A thousand strong!' exclaimed Felipa. 'Then we shall need all our men. -But they cannot reach us here. What does our father say?' - -Carlo shrugged his shoulders. - -'He will give no positive orders, but the rascals are really marching -through the woods towards us. I wonder at their rashness, for here we -are so well prepared to receive them that they will find it too warm for -them. We are to have a council of war this evening. Now, if I were -Governor I would starve them out.' - -'Will father let you attend the council?' asked Felipa, looking upon her -brother as already a knight of renown. - -'Nay, but he must. I can use a sword as well as any one. Etta, you -shall tie my scarf, and I will wear your colours on my scabbard.' - -Etta shook her head sadly. - -'The pirates are from my country. Your father will be angry with me, -Carlo; and yet my father was none of them. He was a brave and honest -merchant.' - -'No one shall blame thee, dear Etta,' said the boy, 'or if they do, I -will offer single combat.' And Carlo went through his military -exercises with great show and laughter, till Catalina and some slaves -arrived, and desired the young people to come and help with the defence -of the castle by taking away all the valuables and hiding them in the -dungeons below or in a well under the flags of the inner courtyard. - -Carlo was very angry at this order of his father's: it seemed to -presuppose the taking of Santa Teresa. - -'As if the pirates would ever enter this stronghold!' he said -impatiently. 'If I may be allowed to speak, I will offer to lead out a -party from Santa Teresa, and the robbers will see something worth seeing -then. I must go and find my father and persuade him.' - -In spite of his objection, however, Carlo, as well as every one else, -had to work with a will within the walls of Santa Teresa; whilst the -Marquis, hardly able to hide his fears, paced restlessly up and down -without the castle, often sending negro scouts on all sides to ascertain -the real truth; but he got such contradictory answers that he half -feared the negroes were too much afraid to venture near enough to the -advancing enemy to ascertain how matters stood. - - - - - CHAPTER V. - - THE SCOUTS. - - -The council of war presided over by the Marquis took place late that -afternoon; and Carlo, bent on proving his capabilities as a soldier, -slipped in with the officers and various Spaniards in authority who had -been able to leave their several stations to join in the discussion. -The Marquis was so much disturbed and troubled that he took no heed of -his son, for as the officers entered the private room of the Governor -the sound of cannon was distinctly heard in the distance, much to the -dismay of many present. - -'Those are the guns of St. Jerome,' said one of the officers. 'The -enemy must have reached the bridge, and we may expect them here by -sunset. Shall we give the order for all the neighbouring guns to fire, -sir.' - -'That will not be necessary,' answered the Marquis, testily. 'How many -guns are there at St. Jerome? Surely enough to drive these robbers back -to their boats?' - -'We have eight, Senor, at St. Jerome, and those will play freely on -them; they will be caught in a trap.' - -'Well, then, that will settle them. We know they cannot advance up the -river below this hill.' - -'Only a canoe could reach us here, and that would hold but a few men,' -said Don Francisco. - -'The blacks declare that Captain Morgan has only four hundred men with -him; if so, there will be no great difficulty.' - -'Nay, but the Indian Andreas,' said Carlo, 'has just told me they are -more like a thousand strong. I believe Andreas is the only scout who -gets near enough to know.' - -Carlo had an especial liking for Andreas, who often accompanied him out -into the woods to kill the birds. He was a very sharp fellow, and knew -every turn and winding in the islands. - -'A thousand strong! What nonsense, Carlo! Your opinion was not asked, -boy, and silence is your best course,' said the Marquis, angrily. - -Carlo blushed, but all the same he knew he was right, and was terribly -annoyed at hearing his father ask counsel first of one and then of -another, without coming to any decision. He saw several of the officers -looking evidently anxious, and when the council of war broke up--having -decided nothing but that a scout should be sent to St. Jerome for news, -and that there should be another meeting next morning--Carlo went up to -an officer and said hastily: - -'Why do we not collect a force of men and go out to meet them in the -marshes?--for that is surely the way they will advance.' - -'The Marquis thinks otherwise, Senorito; and he may be right, for they -may find themselves in a sad fix in some of the swamps in the low ground -or in the woods, and then they may think it better to return without -trying to take a fortress. Besides, we do not know how much powder they -may have brought, and we must not waste our own ammunition.' - -This was all the consolation Carlo could get, and he went back to his -sister's room looking very crestfallen and anxious. So to her eager -questioning he answered: - -'I wish father would let Don Francisco de Paratta take the command; he -himself is quite unable to take it. I could see by Don Francisco's face -that he thinks we are doing wrong. We have not even got true -information yet as to their number. I have a great mind----' Carlo -paused, for a sudden idea now entered his head. - -'What are you thinking of?' said Felipa, turning pale. 'Oh, Carlo, do -not do anything rash. What should we do without you?' - -'Oh, you are safe enough here at Santa Teresa; it would be impossible to -take this place by storm with a thousand men, or even double that -number, so you need not be afraid, dear Felipa.' - -'I know you mean to go and see for yourself,' said Etta. 'I wish I were -a boy and I could go with you. To stay still makes one imagine many -impossible things.' - -'Hush! don't tell any one, especially Catalina,' said Carlo, looking -round and seeing they were alone; 'she chatters so much. My plan is -this: I will slip outside presently before the gate is shut and run down -the hill to the river. There Andreas has a canoe safely hidden in the -bushes, and he will paddle me down to the mangrove swamps, and from -there we may get near to them and see for ourselves how the pirates are -situated.' - -'But you will get killed,' sobbed Felipa. 'These wicked English pirates -are worse than cannibals; Catalina says that they roast their prisoners -alive, and----' - -'Nonsense! Dry your tears, little sister, and believe me, Andreas is -too clever a fellow to let us get eaten. I shall be back before very -late, and I know the only breach that can be climbed.' - -Seeing her brother so cheerful, Felipa dried her tears, and hung a -little coin round his neck, which, she said, would keep him from harm; -and then she and Etta determined to sit up till he should come back, for -when he was once gone they would not mind telling Catalina. - -In the meantime all was bustle within the fort. The Spaniards had found -out now that the Governor had entirely lost his nerve, and this -increased the panic of the garrison. The men on watch amused themselves -by telling thrilling and horrible stories of the various tortures -inflicted by the pirates on their prisoners, and speculated as to the -fate of the garrison of St. Jerome, whose fire had ceased when the sun -went down. However, every one knew that Santa Teresa was safe enough, -and that even if some bold spirits climbed up the steep path on the land -side no great number could come on at the same time and so carry the -place by assault. - -At nightfall, Carlo, unseen by any one, slipped out of the fort; and, -plunging into the wood, he was soon joined by the Indian Andreas, who -was a fine fellow, a Christian, and, moreover, devotedly fond of the -young Spaniard, who had always treated him with kindness. Andreas spoke -fluent Spanish, from having been early taught by the Spanish priests, -who had brought him up after his father's death. - -'That's right, Andreas,' said Carlo, when he saw him. 'Now make haste -and show me your path down to the river; the other one is watched by the -slaves, and they might set the dogs on us by mistake. I reckon we can -reach the swamps in two hours with your canoe, and you tell me that you -are sure the enemy is encamped near there.' - -'Yes, Senorito, that is the truth; my little boy brought me word. And I -believe they are in great distress for want of food; but we shall see. -Look, noble Carlo: I have brought my arrows; and woe to any one that -tries to touch us!' - -After some very difficult walking in the mazes of the forest, through -which no one but an Indian could have steered, the two at last reached -the river, which ran far below Santa Teresa; and though this stream was -only navigable for canoes, it was often used by the Indians and -Spaniards when in haste to reach the sea, instead of taking the longer -journey by the land road. Andreas had powers of sight which appeared -quite extraordinary to Carlo; and when the two were seated in the frail -canoe, it was wonderful how the Indian paddled the boat, swiftly and -surely, avoiding the rocks as if it were broad daylight, and never -mistaking the many bends. Had Carlo been alone he would have grounded -the boat half a dozen times, and not have reached his destination before -daylight; but as it was, in two hours the boat glided swiftly into the -midst of the mangrove swamp through which the river here made its way. -All was quiet at first; the canoe did not even disturb the herons and -pelicans which slept near by on the interlaced roots of the mangroves. - -'If the pirates could have got into this swamp,' whispered Andreas, -'there would be no need of our cannon; but they are too crafty for that. -They have doubtless seized a good guide who would not dare to betray -them; otherwise they never could have reached Guana's Creek, where, I -hear, they have encamped to-night.' - -They drew up the canoe near to a great stump standing out in the water, -and, mooring it there, Andreas stepped on to a dry piece of ground; -then, stooping down, he listened intently, till like a stealthy animal -he returned to Carlo. - -'I am sure, Senorito, that I can hear the sound of the enemy. I must -creep up through the grove and get to the higher ground; then I will -return with news, if you will wait. I dare not let you come till I have -seen how the land lies. Lie down in the canoe, and I will make haste. -But cover yourself up, for the air is bad here, Senor; indeed you must -chew this root, and then you will feel no harm.' And so saying, Andreas -drew a dark-looking bit of root from his pocket, which was a secret -remedy against the swamp malaria, known only to the Indians; then, -walking quickly towards the jungle, he disappeared into the darkness. - -Carlo had to wait what seemed to him a long time before Andreas came -back; and what made it worse for him was the rain, which began to fall -heavily. At last, when he was beginning to think his Indian friend had -been caught by the pirates, he was startled by hearing a little splash -in the water beside him, and in another moment Andreas himself was in -the canoe. - -'The young Senor did not hear me,' said the Indian, smiling at the start -Carlo gave. 'It was to show him how well Andreas can walk in silence -that I came so quietly.' - -'Did you see them, good Andreas? Tell me quickly, shall I come now, or -must we go back?' - -'Yes, yes, Senor, I saw them. They are many--a thousand, I fancy, or -about that number; but they are in a bad position; they have no food, -and no fire to cook it with. I went up quite close and saw the -Captain.' - -'Captain Morgan! Oh, Andreas, did he look a wicked man? Tell me what -he looked like.' - -'A tall, fair Englishman, Senor, but not evil-looking; only some of his -followers had the bad countenances of wicked men. I could see that they -were discontented; and I heard some discussing if they should go back to -their ships. Look now, Senor Carlo: if you can persuade the noble -Governor to send a hundred well-armed soldiers to-night against these -same men, we shall have no more trouble with them. We could drive them -into the swamp, and then the swamp would do the rest. Why, they were -badly off: some had naked feet like the poor Indians, and some had but -ragged clothes, and very few had firearms. They were angry with the -Captain at being led into the marsh, and they huddled together when the -rain began to fall, cursing their misfortunes.' - -'It will go on raining all night, I fancy,' said Carlo. 'I have been -nicely sheltered here; but out where they are camped there are but few -trees. How could you see all this, good Andreas, for it is still dark?' - -'Well enough, Senor, for the rascals had pulled down some of the Indian -huts that lie up above, and had made a fire of them. Captain Morgan was -trying to make himself comfortable; and I saw a young lad about your -size and your age, Senorito, in the Captain's rude tent. I thought he -must be his son; but he looked sad and dejected, and not like one of the -pirates. Perhaps some young prisoner they have taken. He was busy -making up the fire, but I noticed that another fellow watched him pretty -closely whenever he strayed a little. Yes, I am sure he was a prisoner.' - -This did not interest Carlo so much as Andreas' idea about the hundred -men being sent out against the pirates. - -'Andreas, you are right. Quick, let us make haste home, and I will do -my best to persuade my father to send a body of soldiers here by -daybreak. If only he will believe us! Are you tired? Let me row a -little.' - -But Andreas laughed. - -'The Senorito would stick us in the mud at the next bend,' he said, and, -taking up his paddle, he sent the frail boat into mid-stream, and as -silently as they had come they returned towards Santa Teresa. During -the journey Carlo hardly spoke; he was planning the morning's expedition -in his own mind; and already he had cleared the whole island of the -dreaded horde, and covered the name of Estevan del Campo with glory and -honour. - -By the time the canoe shot into a tiny cove at the foot of Santa Teresa, -Carlo was glad enough to jump up and follow his leader through the -forest by an Indian path; and with Andreas' help the wall was scaled, -and both entered the enclosure unperceived. - -'It is to be hoped the pirates do not know this path,' he said to -Andreas; 'but, even if they did, not more than a single file of men -could get up here. Do the guides here know of it, Andreas?' - -Andreas shook his head. - -'Hush, young master, tell no one of it. It is known only to the Indians -of my tribe, and there are but few of us now. Good-night, Senorito; I -will be ready in the morning if you want another guide.' - -Carlo warmly shook the faithful Indian's hand as he bade him good-bye. -Before the Spanish occupation Andreas had been a chief's son; but his -father had long ago been killed by the white men, and the tribe was -broken up. The boy had been educated by the missionaries, but had never -altogether forgotten his childhood; and but for his love of Carlo del -Campo some said he would ere this have run away from the Governor's -estate, where he was forced to tend the gardens and to see his children -brought up as something not much better than mere slaves, whilst his -gentle wife was expected to help Catalina in household duties, cook the -food for the black slaves, and wait on the young ladies. - -Carlo was able to creep upstairs unheard by any one; and, seeing a light -in his sister's sitting-room, he knocked softly. Catalina opened the -door, and the girls, who had fallen asleep on a couch, jumped up -eagerly. - -'Carlo, there you are! Tell us the news! How glad I am you are safe -home!' - -'I dreamt you were drawn and quartered by the pirates. My poor lamb,' -cried Catalina, 'how we prayed for you, till we fell asleep and forgot -to finish the Litany of Danger!' - -'Nonsense! there was no danger at all; the pirates are in a bad way, and -it is raining hard. But tell me where my father is. We have only to -send out men and we are saved. Andreas knows exactly where they are -encamped.' - -'The noble Marquis was in the guard-room below when I came up,' said -Catalina. 'No one has gone to bed this night.' - -Carlo hastened away cheerfully. He was some time absent; but when he -returned his young face was clouded over with deep disappointment. - -'It is of no use; my father will not believe me. He refuses to do -anything till there can be another council, and then it may be too late. -Why am I not a man!' - -'Never mind, dear Carlo,' whispered Etta softly; 'the council may -believe you, and then----' - -But Carlo shook his head, and, tired out, he went to his own bed and -fell asleep from sheer fatigue. - - - - - CHAPTER VI. - - HATCHING A PLOT. - - -The next morning the rain stopped, and the sun shone out brightly and -powerfully over the beautiful wood which clothed the steep sides of -Santa Teresa. The cocoa-nut trees and the various kinds of palms softly -waved their beautiful heads in the morning breeze; the sulphur and black -butterflies flew hither and thither about the crimson, yellow, and green -pods of the cocoa, and on the orchids that hung from the giant stems. -All this and much more beauty was unheeded by the people in Santa -Teresa, for before the council of war could meet Andreas came running -into the courtyard, where Carlo had just come down to hear what news he -could, too angry to seek out his father after his disappointment of the -previous night. - -'Young master, where is the noble Marquis? Has he sent no one? No? Ah, -Senorito, now it is too late, for a canoe is coming up the river, and it -is not a mile distant. The pirates have sent a messenger, and the young -English boy I told you of is with him. They are flying a white flag; -that means, the pirate captain has sent them to parley. They have -recovered their courage this morning, or they would not have come to -treat. It will be too late to attack them now, and you see the rain has -stopped.' - -Andreas wrung his hands in a manner peculiar to the gentle Indian race -to which he belonged; whilst Carlo, much excited by the news, -impatiently drew him forward towards the Marquis's room. - -'Come and tell my father, Andreas. I cannot persuade him you really saw -the men. He says that you were mistaken last night, and that the -pirates are armed to the teeth.' - -'The great Governor will not believe! And yet I could have even brought -something away from the vultures' tent,' added Andreas with a smile. - -Alas! it was only too true. Instead of being surprised at the arrival -of a pirate messenger, Don Estevan del Campo seemed greatly relieved. -He had up to this hour decided on nothing, and was more excited and more -unfit to issue commands than he had been even the day before. Carlo -appealed to Don Francisco; but this officer was powerless without the -sanction of the Governor, and the more the latter was urged to fight the -less he seemed inclined to do so. - -The Marquis listened to the news the Indian brought, and then ordered -some soldiers to go down to the river and conduct the messengers into -the castle. They were to be well guarded, and to have their eyes -bandaged for fear of discovering any secrets, such as taking notes of -the path up the steep hill of Santa Terea. - -Great was the excitement in the castle when it was known that the -pirates had been bold enough to send an envoy. Some suggested that -these heralds of robbers should not be received; others, that they -should be sent back with threats; others, that hanging was too good for -them; whilst Don Francisco declared plainly that a garrison of His -Catholic Majesty of Spain had no business to parley with English -rascals; but Don Estevan, going from one to the other, listened to all -the contradictory advice, merely saying at the end: - -'No, no, good sirs, but we must hear what they say. Most likely this -herald brings us an unconditional surrender, in which case we shall have -trapped the rats without wasting our powder.' But Don Francisco -answered: - -'That is not very likely, noble Marquis; there seems no doubt it is -Henry Morgan who himself leads the band, and he was never known to -surrender. Andreas swears there are a great number of them. If so, -they will surely attack us.' - -The surmises were at length set at rest by the entrance of the soldiers, -who brought with them a short, thick-set man, whose determined face -spoke of dauntless courage and daring. With him was a tall fair youth, -with a noble but sad and care-worn expression of face. - -From the windows of their dwelling-room Felipa and Etta had watched the -entrance of the new arrivals; and Carlo, who had rushed in to do the -same, could not help an exclamation of surprise at the sight of the lad, -who was about his own age and size. As for Etta, her admiration found -vent in words. - -'Look, Felipa, that is an English boy! How handsome he is! He does not -look wicked, does he? Perhaps he is Henry Morgan's son. How I wish -these were not wicked pirates! I would talk to them of England, and -perhaps they might know my relations and would some day take me back. -But the man looks every inch of him like an evil buccaneer.' - -'Etta, what nonsense you are talking!' said Carlo; 'the youth is most -likely as wicked as the rest. Andreas saw him last night. Yes, he must -be the Captain's son. Now I shall go and hear their propositions. If I -had had my way there would have been no messengers alive by this hour to -suggest any terms. One should give no quarter to such foes.' - -After Carlo had gone, the two girls, who were busy over some beautiful -Spanish embroidery, still sat by the window hoping to see the pirates go -back blindfolded. Such excitement had not before fallen to the lot of -Felipa; for during the five years she had been in this beautiful and -peaceful island home, nothing more exciting had occurred than a few -expeditions to the other island, or a row on the lagoon. The Marquis, -her father, had been much blamed by his Spanish kindred for having sent -for his daughter from Spain; but his reasons had been, besides his -natural affection for her, a fear that after her mother's death her -uncles might marry the young girl to one of their own friends and pass -it off as an order of the King. Till now Del Campo had certainly not -regretted the step, for he wished to keep Felipa with him till she -should marry a man of his own choosing. In those days young girls were -promised in marriage to men whom they had never seen, and very often -their lovers were old and unattractive, though they were of course -wealthy or had some other recommendation in the eyes of the parents of -the high-born Spanish maidens. - -Felipa quite believed Carlo when he assured her and Etta that Santa -Teresa was much too strong and well-fortified to be taken by even such a -large number of pirates as had now landed; so the fears of the maidens -were, in consequence, much diminished, and a good deal of curiosity -mingled with their sympathy at Carlo's disappointment. - -'After all,' said Felipa, who was not naturally brave, 'if Carlo had -gone out to fight the pirates he might have been killed, so it is just -as well our father waited for daylight, and to hear what Captain Morgan -had to say. Don't you think so, Etta?' - -'Brave soldiers never think whether they shall be killed or not,' said -Etta. 'I am sure the Captain's son is brave; he walked in with his head -thrown back, and looked so handsome.' - -'Oh, Etta, if any one is an Englishman you think he must be perfect,' -said Felipa, crossly. 'I tell you these pirates are all wicked, and -make war on defenceless women and children. That is unworthy of any -great nation.' But Etta retorted: - -'Nay, but the Spaniards are more cruel than the English.' They might -have gone on disputing over their nationalities had not Carlo -reappeared, carrying with him a document which he was trying to -decipher. - -'Etta, here, quick. This is crabbed English writing, and the Marquis -said that you were to help me to read it, and to write it out in fair -Spanish, so that the council may deliberate on it. The boy who has -accompanied the messenger cannot speak many words of Spanish, and will -do nothing but shake his head. If I had my wish I would have both man -and boy hung up on the tallest prickly palm of the estate.' - -Etta in the meanwhile was deciphering the words, which had been written -on the rind of the fruit of the cabbage-palm, which rind looked very -much like a piece of parchment, and was indeed often used instead of it -in the West Indies. - -The writing ran thus, though it took all the three some time to make it -out-- - - -'To the Spanish Governor of the Island of St. Catherine. - -'Hereby I, the world-wide famous Captain Henry Morgan, make known that -if within a few hours you deliver not yourself and all your men into my -hands, I do by my messenger swear unto you and all those that are in -your company that I shall most certainly put you and them all to the -sword, without granting quarter to any.' - - -Carlo flushed red with indignation when at last these words were made -out and translated, then hurried away to his father and the officers, to -give the writing into their hands. - -'These words are an insult to our great country, my father. I hope you -will give them a fitting answer. Such vile caitiffs deserve no pity.' - -'We must have two hours to deliberate on this paper, gentlemen,' said -the Governor, uneasily; 'for I hear there is great panic on the island, -and that the people are leaving their homes and flocking to the -fortresses. If so, a worse enemy than the pirates may trouble us, and -that will be famine. Go, Carlo, and tell the messengers to return to -him who sent them, and say that my answer shall be taken to Henry Morgan -by my own trustworthy messengers, but that they must be promised a -safe-conduct.' - -Carlo had nothing to do but to obey. He found the man and the boy in -the courtyard surrounded by a strong guard of Spaniards. He proudly -gave his father's message, but, thinking of Etta's words, he could not -help being struck with the noble bearing of the fair-haired youth, who -appeared to be much disturbed by the rude looks and taunts of the -soldiers about him, for he scarcely lifted his head till Carlo had done -speaking, when he suddenly looked up at him, as if he were going to say -something; but, evidently thinking better of it, he remained silent. - -'Marry, then, in two hours our Captain will expect your answer,' said -the pirate, 'and it were best not to trifle with him, as he is sure to -keep his word. 'Tis no time to dally.' - -'_Perros! nos veremos,_' exclaimed a soldier after Carlo had turned away -in silence--which words mean in English, 'Dogs, we shall meet you,' and -were accompanied by some insulting dumb show at the departing -messengers. - -After this the boy went back to the council-room; but what was his -surprise at finding it barred and bolted, whilst a soldier, who was -guarding it, said respectfully that the Governor's orders were that no -one might enter. - -'That does not include me,' said Carlo, angrily. - -'Pardon, noble Senor Carlo; the Marquis said, "Not even my son."' - - - [Illustration: _CARLO REFUSED ADMISSION_ (missing from book)] - - -Carlo turned away, too indignant to say anything in answer; and then he -went sorrowfully upstairs to get some comfort where he knew he should -always find it. He told the girls what had just happened, adding: - -'It is very unjust of my father.' Then, as Felipa blushed with sorrow, -he added: 'No, I ought not to say that, for I fancy he did not mean to -exclude me, only that stupid Luis wished to show his importance and -invented the order.' - -'Tell me, dear Carlo,' put in Etta, eagerly, 'did you speak to the -English boy? I saw the soldier escort him and his fellow down the hill; -and how I wished I could have had a few words with him!' - -'What! with a pirate, Etta? But would that I could go into the -council-room! If my father decides to despatch several hundred men, he -must give me the command of at least a little band. You should see how -well I could command.' - -'Your noble father only meant, Senorito, that you must not disturb the -meeting,' said Catalina, joining in; 'and I know there is a door at the -other end, which is made but of light bamboos, and you can hear well -enough there all that goes on.' Catalina spoke with so much certainty -that it seemed as if she had herself been eavesdropping. - -Carlo was delighted with the idea. 'Is that so, Catalina? The saints -reward you, you dear old woman! I will give you a silk kerchief worked -in gold thread the next time a merchant ship comes here from Panama. -Ah, Etta, I am afraid you will never see your fair English boy again, so -do not expect it, unless we take him prisoner; then I will spare him for -your sake. That is a bargain. Now, Catalina, come and show me your -secret way.' And delighted that he should not be quite excluded from -hearing the plans of defence, the eager Carlo followed Catalina, quite -believing that after all it was not his father but the stupid guard Luis -who had prevented him from joining in the council of war. He was, -however, soon to be undeceived. - - - - - CHAPTER VII. - - TREACHERY. - - -An hour later, when the Governor came out of the council-chamber and was -entering his own private room, he looked ten years older. At this -moment Carlo rushed into the room and threw himself at his father's -feet. - -Don Estevan looked much surprised, and the papers he held in his hand -shook visibly. - -'Father, you cannot mean it!' cried the Governor's only son, 'say it is -not true! There is yet time: the messengers have not yet started. I -beseech you think better of it. I heard everything.' - -'You heard everything? What do you mean, you insolent boy!' cried the -Marquis, angrily; 'you were not in the council-chamber. Get up, Carlo; -what is done is done for the best.' - -'No, no, it cannot be for the best to betray this island. The stratagem -you have suggested is unworthy of you; it cannot be true that Don -Estevan del Campo will allow those villains to take this fortress -without so much as a blow!' - -Poor Carlo was beside himself with grief; he had indeed heard only too -much from his hiding-place. The Governor had entirely lost his head, -and was unable to make up his mind to fight the dreaded buccaneers; and -now that he had found out their real number, and the number of their -ships, he could think of nothing but temporising with them. He had -forced the council to agree to send two messengers to Henry Morgan with -these terms: They were to say that, feeling himself quite unable to hold -the island against such a body of desperate men as Captain Morgan had -with him, the Marquis begged the Captain to use a certain stratagem of -war in order to make it appear to the people that the place was taken in -honest fight. Captain Morgan was, according to this plan, to come at -night to the bridge which divided the two islands, and here he was to -attack Fort St. Jerome. In the meanwhile the pirate ships were to -approach as near as possible to Santa Teresa and attack it from the sea; -also at the same time to land a body of men at a place hard by, called -St. Matthew. Here the Governor was to be intercepted on his way to Fort -Jerome, taken prisoner, and forced to give up the keys of the castles of -Santa Teresa and St. Jerome, and the possession of these two strong -places would virtually mean that of the whole island. There was to be a -feint, much firing on both sides, but no bullets were to be used; -moreover, they were to fire in the air, to make sure of no one being -killed on either side. - -This was the shameful plan of surrender that Carlo had heard his father -propose, and not only propose but enforce on the majority of the men -composing the council; though Don Francisco de Paratta and a few others -had firmly refused to give their consent to such a base affair. - -The Marquis also knew that Carlo, young as he was, was too bold and -fearless ever to give in his obedience to this idea, and for this reason -he had had him shut out from the deliberations. He was therefore all -the more indignant and angry when Carlo declared he had heard -everything, and his burst of indignation was terrible to witness. - -'You forget your position and mine,' said the unhappy Marquis in a -passion. 'What can you know, Carlo, of the defences of the island? How -can I consent to a general massacre of my garrisons, when by this simple -means we shall avoid all loss? And in a few days these wild robbers will -leave the island for other more profitable fields, and--but why should I -explain my reasons to you? What business had you to be eavesdropping? -Is that the conduct to be expected from my son?' - -Carlo did not seem to hear his father's personal abuse; his mind was -bent on averting the terrible blot which, if this plan were carried out, -must come on his father's name. However secret these negotiations might -now be kept, sooner or later they would become known, and the name Carlo -was so proud to bear would be for ever dishonoured. - -'Let me go and stop the canoe; or if it is gone, Andreas can easily -overtake the messengers. Father, be angry with me, do anything; but do -not let us sell our honour!' - -The Marquis was now in a worse passion than ever with his son who dared -to speak the truth to him. - -'Carlo, you shall not speak so! you forget yourself. Go from my -presence at once, sir, and consider yourself a prisoner on parole. Do -not leave your sister's dwelling-room till I give you leave; and -remember, if you disobey I shall have to show my son that he cannot -break my rules with impunity.' - -Carlo turned away, convinced now that his father could only be obstinate -and firm in the wrong place. Covering his face with his hands, the brave -boy sobbed as if his heart would break. He had dreamt of honour and -glorious deeds, and these dreams had only ended in a story of shame. -Going to his own room, he gazed down on the glorious tropical gardens -and woods of his beloved home, and caught sight of the Governor's canoe -starting off with two men in her carrying the fatal message. The clock -struck; the two hours allowed by the pirates were sped, and the Island -of St. Catherine was as good as taken by Henry Morgan and his thousand -men. - -How long Carlo remained sunk in deep despondency, with now and then -interludes of sudden impotent rage, he did not heed. He knew that the -sham attack would not take place till night, for evil deeds hate -daylight, and there was a long time yet before sundown. But, alas! all -the need for exertion was gone, all the motive for brave resistance was -taken away. - -'I will not be included in the treaty, however,' he thought suddenly. -'I have spoken against it, and I will use my bullets and my sword as a -good and honourable soldier should do.' Then, suddenly, the idea of -danger for his sister and Etta entered his head. Tales of captivity -endured by women and children when they fell into the pirates' hands -crowded into his head. How could he trust his father now? Certainly he -must be losing his mind: this was the only charitable way of looking at -his conduct. If this were the case, the welfare of Felipa was his duty, -and, slowly rising, he tried to wash away traces of tears which might -perhaps seem unmanly to those who did not know the reason. - -When he entered the room to which he had been sent as a prisoner, the -girls at once noticed the expression of his face. - -'Carlo, what is the matter?' - -'Surely all will be well now,' added Etta. 'We saw the canoe start with -the answer. Ah, those robbers will understand we cannot be taken in -brave Santa Teresa, whatever they may do.' - -'I should think not!' said Catalina. 'Those infidels don't understand -that the saints protect us. So you heard the deliberations, Senor -Carlo?' - -'Yes, well enough; but look, Catalina: suppose these pirates should get -the better of us--for they are reported to be very strong--is there any -place where you and the girls might hide? My father is so busy giving -orders that he has not time to attend to all these matters.' - -'No need to prepare for the impossible,' said Catalina; 'Jose told me -that if Santa Teresa were besieged for a year it would be of no use; we -have fleet Indians who can pass through the forest, and could bring in -food unseen by any horde of pirates. So, Senorito, do not disturb -yourself about us.' - -'But impossible things, as we call them, do happen, Catalina, and it is -best to be prepared. Well, anyhow, I shall go out to fight to-night; for -it is then the attack is expected, and then I will win a right to my -knighthood.' - -'There is the great cupboard in this chamber,' said Catalina, 'into -which opens the secret staircase. Few of the men know it, but the -Marquis told me of it. That is safe enough. If any steps are heard -without we can easily run down the stairs, and a door there leads to the -dungeons below. Never fear, Senor Carlo; old Catalina doesn't mean to be -taken by men who would think nothing of murdering me unless they wanted -a wife.' - -'Dear Catalina, you must never marry,' said Felipa, kissing her old -nurse, 'at least not a pirate: I could not spare you. But do leave off -talking of danger, Carlo, when there is none. You frighten us for -nothing. Look how lovely the garden is after last night's rain: the -tamarind has spread out all its leaves to show us it is fine again. How -I long to go out and have a game this morning!' - -'And did you hear that Andreas killed a fer-de-lance snake this -morning?' added Etta. 'He says it is bad luck and an evil sign, but I -told him it was a good thing to kill those wicked, poisonous creatures.' - -Carlo hardly listened to these remarks; he was thinking only of the -coming calamity; and though the affection of two girls comforted him he -could not join in their laughter. They no longer feared the terrible -pirates, and were anxious now to be allowed to go out into the wood. -But as the only gate Santa Teresa possessed was closed, with strict -orders to let no one in or out, they had to content themselves with -sitting at the open window whilst the sounds of soldiers' clashing -armour and noisy drill, mingled with loud orders shouted hither and -thither, only increased their excitement. - -Then the sun went down on the beautiful island and darkness fell on the -exquisite landscape. Carlo dared not leave the room till he knew his -father had gone forth with his band of men towards St. Matthew, which -was but a little further down the coast, and was not difficult of access -by the sea-shore. - -As time went on the confusion increased, and no one seemed inclined to -go to bed. At last the Marquis collected his men; and though Carlo -could not see much from his position, yet as he looked down from the -window and saw the torch-light fall on his father's face he would hardly -have known him, so changed was he. Carlo knew now that there was no -help for it; he must only be thankful that he had heard of the treachery -and that he was not himself starting out on this mock expedition as he -might otherwise have been doing. This fact surprised the girls much. - -'I cannot think why you are not going, Carlo,' said Felipa, very much -disappointed at all the fine words of her brother ending in his merely -gazing out of the window; 'and is it not strange father has not come to -wish us good-bye? Catalina says he told her it was not worth while, as -he would be home again so soon. But he might have let you go with him -if there is so little danger.' - -Etta said nothing, but Carlo saw that she also was much disappointed. -Yet, for all this, he dared not betray his father: it was better to be -thought a coward himself than to bring blame and discredit on the famous -old name of Del Campo. - -So the boy walked up and down the room, whilst the girls told each other -stories in order to keep awake--so anxious were they to hear the first -news of the defeat of the rebels. Then after a time the guns of St. -Jerome were heard booming through the night air, and all rushed to the -window--to see, however, nothing but the darkness. At the same moment -there was a whisper heard through the keyhole, and they recognised the -voice of Andreas. - -'Senorito Carlo, are you here? Come quickly, in the name of Heaven and -Santa Teresa! Do not be afraid; it is I--Andreas. Open the door.' - -Carlo rushed to the door and seized the faithful Indian's hand. - -'What is it, Andreas? Speak quickly.' - -'There must be some treachery, Senor, for a party of pirates are -climbing up towards the castle, and the guards below have disappeared -from the walls.' - - - - - CHAPTER VIII. - - A BRAVE DEFENCE. - - -When Carlo rushed away, an impulse to follow and see what was taking -place seized the three whom he left behind. A strange silence had come -over the castle. The moon was just rising and throwing a faint light -over the forest; but nothing could be seen save the tall palms and the -luxurious undergrowth in dark masses against the clear sky. - -'Senorita, come here!' cried Catalina, hurrying to another window which -looked on the sea side of the castle; and as the two girls hurried after -her they beheld the bay below; not silent and calm as usual, but with -the pirate boats busily plying backwards and forwards towards the shore -lower down. - -'What does all this mean, Catalina?' said Felipa, clinging to her nurse. -'Where is my father? And what did Andreas mean by coming to fetch -Carlo? What shall we do? Etta, are you frightened?' - -Etta was braver than Felipa, but at the same time she understood better -the dangers of this attack; and yet she had heard so decidedly, and felt -sure Carlo also believed, that Santa Teresa was too well fortified to be -taken by assault, that this sudden call from Andreas was a mystery to -her. - -'I don't understand what can be the matter. Catalina, let me run down to -the courtyard: I will be but a few minutes, and I shall find some one -there who will tell me. Pedro is always kind to me, and he will tell me -all he knows.' - -'But the pirates,' cried Felipa--'if they come they will kill you! No, -no; stay with us. Come away, Catalina, and let us bolt ourselves into -our room.' And the girl tried to drag her nurse away from the window. - -But Etta smiled. - -'I tell you, Felipa, the pirates cannot come into this place. It would -take months to force a passage through the walls, and the gate is too -well guarded. I will run down and ask Pedro what Andreas meant.' - -Catalina would have liked to go herself, but did not know how to leave -Felipa, who was sobbing from fear of she knew not what horrors. Yet -poor Felipa, as she crouched near the window with her hand in that of -her nurse, could not help admiring the courage of her English -playfellow. - -'Carlo admires Etta because she is brave,' she said to Catalina; 'she -never thinks of danger for herself. I would so gladly not be afraid, -but I cannot help it.' - -'Never mind about being brave, my darling; that is for men and not for -girls. What would the men have to do if we women were as bold as they -are themselves? You see, the Senora Etta is English, and the people in -her country are not as civilised as we Spanish folk. Dry your beautiful -eyes, dearie, and don't be frightened. The noble Marquis will soon be -returning, and then we shall find out that he has trapped all these -wicked robbers, and that not one remains alive.' - -Thus comforting her much-loved young lady, Catalina soon forgot her own -fears till quite five minutes had passed away without the reappearance -of Etta. What could the girl be doing? And why was there suddenly such -a silence about the place? Catalina would not have been so brave had she -known the truth or witnessed the assault that was now taking place at -the gate of the outer wall. - -When Etta ran down she was surprised to notice how few of the garrison -could be seen. The loopholes from which poisoned arrows could be shot -were deserted; the entrance to the council-room and the arsenal also -remained unguarded. She could make nothing of it, so she had wrapped -her dark mantle round her head and shoulders hoping to escape notice; -but, to her great astonishment, none of the usual servants seemed to be -about. She now hastened to the door that led into the courtyard. It -stood open and the soft night air blew in. - -'Pedro!' she called softly; but no porter answered. Even the Indian -slaves were gone. Etta's curiosity was now fairly awakened. It could -not be possible that the castle was deserted, and that she and Felipa -were forgotten by every one! - -'Carlo!' she cried louder, 'Andreas! Pedro!' No answer, and the girl -stepped out into the courtyard and walked a little way down to the -second gate. Then sounds indeed reached her ears: the clashing of -swords, the loud tones of angry voices, the waving of torches, and the -shrill whoops of Indians, mingled with many fierce English oaths. - -There was no longer any doubt: the enemy, by some means, which of course -Etta could not understand, had forced the passage leading over the ditch -to the great gate, and were now between that and the inner courtyard, -where, as Etta knew, no one remained to defend the gate of the castle -itself. Her first impulse was to rush back and fly to some safer place; -but so frightened was she that she felt hardly able to move; and at that -moment, gazing at the small mass of struggling beings, she saw Carlo at -the head of some dozen Indians barring the way before a far larger -number of the enemy. This glance showed her also the form of the -English lad; so much slighter and so much fairer of face than any about -him that she could not mistake him as the torchlight fell on him. - -'Carlo! Carlo!' she cried in her agony. No sound came back in answer -but the yells and cries of the two parties; and with the instinct of -helping her dear Felipa she at last found strength to turn away from the -terrible sight and to fly back to the gate and so up the stairs, and as -she ran she called out, 'Shut the gates: they are coming! They will -soon overpower our people. Quick, make haste! Pedro, where are you?' - -And still repeating these words, Etta dashed into the dwelling-room, -looking so excited and pale that there was no longer any doubt that the -worst had happened, as she exclaimed, 'We are lost! The castle will be -taken! What can we do?' - -Nor had brave Etta been mistaken. When Andreas had come to fetch Carlo, -the faithful Indian had just discovered that the path known only to Don -Estevan del Campo and a few of those in authority had been betrayed. -Before he could do more than collect the few slaves and soldiers left in -the castle, and station them at the entrance to the weakest portion of -the wall, fetch Carlo as described, and with the mere handful of men -then available make a brave stand, the chief gate of the castle was -really taken. Andreas little knew that all his valour was useless; but -it was otherwise with Carlo, who, as he threw himself into the _melee_, -was conscious that no bravery could really be of any use. Indeed the -attack on this side was but a ruse, for another body of men were quietly -making their way to the principal gate of Santa Teresa, and were now -being let in by one of the Marquis's officers, whom he had easily -persuaded that a desperate encounter with these pirates would only -result in their all being taken prisoners, and most likely killed. - -It was Andreas who suddenly discovered the treachery, and, not -understanding the real meaning of the extraordinary events which were -taking place, now shouted to those about him that there was yet time to -stop the entrance of those rascals. - -In this rush Carlo was accidentally thrown down, and in falling his knee -struck against a rocky projection, so that for a few seconds he lost -consciousness. When he came to himself he tried hard to struggle to his -feet, for he beheld at this moment a boy suddenly spring over the wall -and come hastily towards him. Carlo heard the confused noise of the -assailants and defenders, who had passed on and left him, so that he now -found himself alone with a lad of about his own age, whom he had -previously seen, and who was doubtless Henry Morgan's son. - -Clenching his teeth, and grasping his sword, he tottered to his feet. - -'Rascal! infidel! son of a pirate!' cried poor Carlo, not caring what -names he bestowed. 'You may kill me, but I will sell my life dearly. -You at least shall not come further. Go and tell your father that Carlo -del Campo will not be a party to any treachery.' - -Carlo threw himself on the tall fair Englishman, and would have dealt -him a blow which would have been serious had not his injured knee proved -at this minute so painful that he missed his aim, and once again fell on -the ground. In a moment the supposed son of Henry Morgan was kneeling -by the brave Spanish lad. - -'Hold, sir,' he said, surprised at some English words that had fallen -from Carlo, 'you are mistaking me. I am no pirate, and will never draw -my sword in such an unlawful business. I am but a poor prisoner, though -kindly treated, and my name is Harry Fenn.' - -As he said these words Harry stooped down to pick up Carlo's sword, -which had rolled away from him as he fell, and gently gave it back to -the brave youth, who once more struggled to his feet, still blind with -rage and disappointment. - -'How can I believe you? That is a false story, some new treachery; no -one who is with these robbers can be trusted. Stand to it, fellow, or -yield to mercy; for you go no farther!' And, regardless of Harry's -explanation, Carlo once again prepared to attack his enemy; but he was -made more furious at seeing that his supposed foe was not even trying to -defend himself. - -'Stand to it, base scoundrel, and draw your sword if you have any spirit -at all; or, by St. Teresa, I must fall upon you!' - -Still Harry Fenn remained motionless. 'If you will not believe, it is -no fault of mine. I have vowed to use no weapon during my captivity--at -least in an unlawful cause.' - -Carlo dropped his hands, for this speech spoke more than weapons. A -true knight could not fall upon an unresisting foe; but it was a deep -disappointment to find Harry was no pirate. - -'But, indeed, Senor, let me help you back to the castle. Captain -Morgan's men are by no means particular, and might unintentionally hurt -you, though they have sworn to use no violence nor to fire at any one -this night.' - -'It is true, then, and you know it?' said Carlo, blushing with shame. -'This attack is all a farce, and our men are even now letting the -pirates into the castle--is it not so? Tell me all you know.' - -'It was the suggestion of the Governor; but I pray you make haste from -hence, or you may repent of it,' said Harry, wishing the young Spaniard -would retreat into the castle now, for he certainly was in considerable -danger. - -'And I am Don Estevan del Campo's son,' murmured the unhappy boy. 'Is -it true that you are none of them? If so, I will accept your help; for -my knee hurts me much, and I must get back to my sister.' - -With some unwillingness Carlo put his hand on Harry Fenn's arm, and in -spite of what had just taken place a sudden wave of sympathy seemed to -flow between them; each felt that among the crowd of fierce men they -seemed to be both of them sadly out of place. - -The central gate was now deserted; the pirates and the defenders had -both disappeared; so the two lads found no difficulty in entering -unperceived by a side door into the castle itself. - -'You are witness that I have never surrendered,' repeated Carlo several -times, afraid, in spite of Harry's kindness, that a trap was being laid -for him. - -Harry almost smiled as he answered in the affirmative, adding: - -'But how is it you talk English, Senor? Yesterday I could not make -myself understood; and had I known you understood my language I would -have spoken out.' - -'My father wished us to learn it. Here, this way; follow me, sir. I do -not know what has happened to the garrison, but I fear I cannot fight -with this horrid pain. Our men have outrun their fears.' - -The two now crept silently up a back way, avoiding the entrance-hall, -where, from the sounds that rose toward them, it was not difficult to -guess that the pirates were intent on refreshing themselves with what -good things Santa Teresa could provide, and making up for the privations -of the previous day and night by a carousal. - -When Carlo limped up to his sister's door, he found it strongly -barricaded within, and it was some time before Catalina could be -persuaded to open it and admit him. Then her exclamations knew no end. - -'Senorito! where have you been? And who is this young serpent?' she -added, looking at Harry; but as she spoke in Spanish he did not -understand her, though he noticed her look of disgust. - -'Hush! Catalina, where is my sister? and Etta? Have you heard no news? -Everything is lost, and this place is in the hands of the pirates. This -youth was the same one Etta saw. He is a prisoner, he says. If so, he -is a fellow-sufferer; and just now he behaved with much courtesy.' - -'Come in, then, and let me bar the door once more. Oh, the noise those -wretches have been making. It is as if all the demons were walking -below. My poor Felipa is well hidden in that cupboard, and I made Etta -go there too. Alas, alas, that I should be alive to hear such things! -But, anyhow, they must kill me before they touch her. My _cara_ Felipa! -I believe she will die of fright.' - -Harry Fenn stood by during this conversation, much perplexed at all he -saw; for he did not understand that the Marquis had not acquainted his -son with his treacherous surrender. His surprise was still greater when -in another moment Etta, hearing Carlo's voice, appeared out of the dark -cupboard where Catalina had insisted Felipa and Etta should hide, when -on the return of the latter she had understood that something -extraordinary was happening. - -'Carlo, tell us--but, oh, who is this? The English lad? Are you -Captain Morgan's son? No--it cannot be; for then you would not be here, -nor would you look so kind.' - -'You were right, Etta; this English lad is a prisoner, and has kindly -helped me up here; otherwise I should be still lying under the wall, or -perhaps I might now be killed by those wretches.' - -Harry Fenn was delighted at finding himself face to face with a -countrywoman of his own. It seemed almost a miracle to be in a room -again--a room which spoke of civilised and refined life, and which -contained an English girl; for there was no mistaking her nationality, -though she immediately informed him of the fact. - -'I knew you were no robber when I saw you come to the castle. I am an -English girl, and a prisoner here.' - -'Etta, what foolish talk!' said Carlo. 'As long as I am here you are no -prisoner.' - -'But tell me how you came to be with that dreadful Henry Morgan,' cried -Etta, much excited. - -By this time Catalina, having gathered that Harry was no enemy, thought -that he might be hungry, and brought out some bread from a cupboard; and -the poor fellow fell upon it with such evident hunger that Etta's heart -was touched, and she continued to talk to Harry. - -'Those wicked men have, then, starved you?' she asked, as Carlo, having -had his knee bandaged by Catalina, went into the large cupboard and -tried to persuade Felipa to come out, for at present there was no -visible danger. - -'Not more than were all the others; the men all share and share alike; -and when we were on the marsh, with the rain falling upon us, we were in -such a bad plight that the men began to grumble finely at Captain -Morgan; indeed, if a body of Spaniards had appeared at that moment we -should never have reached this place. I can tell you Captain Morgan was -glad enough to get the Governor's letter; but he laughed in his sleeve -when he found his threats had been taken in earnest, for they were but -bravado.' - -'Oh, hush! don't tell Carlo all this,' said Etta quickly; 'he is so -brave and good, and wished to go out this morning against them. But the -place must have been betrayed, I think, for all said it could never be -taken.' - -'Ay, so it was, young mistress; and, now I see it contained such brave -people and one of my own countrywomen, I am sorry enough; but before, I -was right glad, for we suffered a great deal. Yet I ought to be used to -suffering, for all this is nothing to the grief I had when these men -kidnapped me from my home. And never a word have I been able to send to -my parents that I am alive and well; for they take care I get no chance -to speak with any passing ship.' - -'But mine were killed,' said Etta, feeling as if she had known Harry a -long time. 'It is five years since I have been a captive here. You do -not know, I dare say, that this island was in the hands of pirates at -that time. There was a Sieur Simon ruling it for the pirate Mansfelt, -who was, they said, never happy except at sea. But the Governor of -Costa Rica determined to take back Saint Catherine, and when the pirates -heard this they sent to ask help of the English Governor of Jamaica, for -he was said to sympathise with them. He refused, and pretended to have -nothing to say to them; but he hired a merchant ship, as if for honest -trade, and fitted it with stores, and put in some of the pirates that -found shelter in Jamaica, and gave them and the captain private -instructions. My father, who was an honest merchant, never knew of -this; and, wishing to take my mother and me to Costa Rica, took passage -in this same ship, but on nearing the island the Sieur Simon came aboard -and begged the crew to sail into harbour. Yet it was all a wicked -device, for the Spaniards had already possession of the island; so that -when we landed we were all seized and taken prisoners. My father and -some of the others defended themselves bravely, but they were -outnumbered before our eyes, and were killed. Mother and myself were -brought to one of Don Estevan del Campo's fortresses, and she died of -grief there after some weeks. Then the Marquis said I was to be treated -well, for he wished me to become the playfellow to his daughter and son -who were coming here shortly, so that I might teach them English. Before -her death my mother gave me letters and directions, telling me if ever I -could get back to my relations in England I was to do so. But how can -I? We are indeed both alike prisoners, and I see no chance of getting -away.' - -Harry listened to Etta's story with much surprise; it made him see that -after all he was not the only English sufferer even in these distant -islands, and that others had had a much worse fate--for he had been well -treated. - -'But they are kind to you?' he asked, glancing at Carlo, who, having -persuaded Felipa to come forth from her hiding-place, was sitting with -his arm round her near the window and telling her of his meeting with -the English youth. - -'Kind? Ah, yes. I love Carlo and Felipa dearly, and old Catalina is -not harsh; but I am afraid of the Marquis; I can never love him, for he -looks upon me as one of his slaves.' - -'He must be a false Spaniard, a feeble scoundrel, and no true -gentleman,' said Harry decidedly, and then in a few words he told his -own story, and how, in spite of being such a favourite with Captain -Morgan, he had sometimes much to bear from the rough men. At this -moment, however, Carlo jumped up and exclaimed: - -'There is my father returning, and, gracious saints, he is a prisoner!' - - - - - CHAPTER IX. - - IMPRISONED. - - -Before anything further could be said on this matter Pedro's voice was -heard at the door, and when Catalina was assured that he was alone she -let him in, being herself very curious to know the ins and outs of the -occupation, and, as the Marquis had really returned, what was expected -of her and her charges. - -'Thank heaven, Pedro, that you have come up! Tell me what all this -means, and are we to be roasted and eaten alive by those cannibals, who -are, I suppose, gobbling up all our stores?' - -Pedro's face was doleful in the extreme, and not at all reassuring. - -'In truth, Captain Morgan is our master now; and so I suppose we must -make the best we can of the matter. He is very angry at the death of -one or two of his men, and says we have broken our engagement. As if -one could make engagements with such paltry ragamuffins! It seems we -were never meant to resist, but I said it was by your orders, Senorito. -You remember that you would insist on taking us out to the walls, though -our orders were to do nothing. Anyhow, Captain Morgan wishes you, Senor -Carlo, to come and deliver up your sword to him at once. He was going -to send some of his drunken fellows to fetch you; but, thinking of the -ladies, I interfered, and I said you would prefer to come of your own -accord.' - -'Let me come with you, Senorito,' said Harry Fenn, thinking that he -could perhaps soften the Captain's wrath, which, he had learnt by this -time, was not to be despised, especially by a Spaniard, who would find -but little favour in the English pirate's eyes. - -Felipa, pale and utterly miserable, tried to dissuade her brother from -going down below, but in vain. Carlo did not know the meaning of the -word fear. - -'No, no, dear Felipa; that would be the action of a coward. Besides, -you might suffer for my refusal. This captain shall see that I am not -afraid of his threats.' - -'You will petition Captain Morgan for Carlo, will you not?' asked Etta, -turning towards Harry. 'How is it that he lets you have your own way?' - -'I know not. He took a fancy for me and calls me his godson, which is a -title very little fitting. I often think that if my poor father could -see me, and kind Mr. Aylett, they would indeed be astonished; and yet I -have tried to do my duty and not forget my God and country in the midst -of this godless crew. But trust me, even if I did not like this bold -young Spaniard, I would do my best for your sake, young Mistress -Allison. You should have seen how he scorned to budge a step.' - -Etta smiled at these words, and then said impulsively, 'Call me Etta, -and I will call you Harry Fenn. Seeing you is almost as if I were at -home among my relations, who, my mother used to say, would love me -dearly and would not let me want.' - -But there was no time now for more words, even though the young people -seemed to have much to say to each other. Carlo followed Pedro and -Harry, feeling altogether angry and ashamed of his position. He was, -too, a little jealous of Etta's evident happiness at talking to one from -her own country; and besides, he could not bear to feel that he was -himself virtually a prisoner in his own house; and yet, thought he, 'I -have never delivered up my sword, and I have never owned myself -defeated.' As for his father, he could not bear to think of him as a -traitor to his king and country. - -When they entered the hall Carlo was dismayed by a sight such as he had -never expected to see in Santa Teresa. - -Some long wooden planks had been laid on trestles and placed in two rows -down the hall, and round them sat some forty or fifty of Captain -Morgan's chief men eating and drinking voraciously. A dozen or more of -the negro slaves waited on them, filling up their goblets when empty--a -duty which was by no means light or infrequent. At a smaller table at -the upper end of the hall Captain Henry Morgan was also enjoying what he -considered a well-earned breakfast; for daylight was beginning to flood -the hall, showing that the long night of anxiety was over. In the sky -beautiful clouds tinged with every conceivable shade of crimson and gold -were making lovely backgrounds for the tall palm-trees and the other -forest giants; but of all this beauty the soldiers and the buccaneers -thought nothing. Henry Morgan was anxious, now that he was in -possession of the island, to secure it permanently for future need, and, -as soon as he could, to send on some of his men in search of still more -booty, the thirst for gold in these pirates being quite unquenchable. -After a moment's pause Carlo walked proudly up to the top table, bent on -showing no fear; yet what made the deepest impression upon him was, not -the sight of the much-dreaded sea-robber, but that of his own father -seated opposite to the foe, and being treated apparently, not as a -prisoner, but as a friend, by the man whom Carlo hated as being both a -buccaneer and an Englishman. - -The poor Marquis, however, could not be said to look happy; he carefully -turned away from Morgan, and now and then rose hastily from his chair -and paced nervously up and down the small platform, muttering audibly, -'I did it for the best. There has been no massacre of the people. Who -will dare to blame me? How could I do otherwise? Why has Don Francisco -left me, and where is my son?' - -'Marry! here comes the culprit!' cried Captain Morgan, seeing Carlo -approaching. 'Senor Governor, I suppose this young sprig is your son, -and the one who led the assault before sunrise? The young scoundrel has -a puissant sword and despiteful ire.' - -'My son knew nothing of our plans,' said the poor Marquis, who in spite -of his own conduct could not help feeling proud of his boy. - -'Then, i'fecks, you should have told him. Some one is answerable for the -death of two of my men and the wounds of several more.' - -'Here, young sirrah! What's your name, and what do you mean by having -gone out to prevent the entrance of my skirmishing party, when they held -a pass from the Governor himself? Speak out, silly coxcomb, and tell me -who set your thoughts agog in this manner.' - -'I knew nothing of the pass,' said Carlo haughtily, 'and I was bound to -fight in the defence of the castle. We give no quarter to our foes.' - -'Marry! proud as a strutting peacock, eh? Ah, well, we'll soon teach -you better. How now, Harry--what hast thou been about? Thou shouldst -have taught this young pate more wisdom. I'll have no jesting from such -a stripling.' - -Harry did not answer, thinking silence the wisest course. The curious -fancy which Captain Morgan had taken for the kidnapped lad was -apparently without rhyme or reason; for Harry, though respectful enough, -had never yet been made to act against his will and his conscience; and -when some of the men would have liked to use brute force, and shake what -they called the young fool's stubborn will out of him, Captain Morgan -always interfered; he would not have the lad touched, he said, and -whoever did it would have to answer personally to him. - -Carlo, the Spaniard, however, touched no chord of sympathy in the -Captain's breast. He heartily despised the Governor, who had been such -a weak tool in his hands, and was rather glad to punish him through his -son, as he had given a sort of promise that his person would be safe -from insults. - -'Ignorance is a very convenient excuse, young Senor. By my faith, you -are answerable for the death of two of my men, and should by rights be -hanged on one of your own bananas; but, considering your youth, I will -merely imprison you in your own castle. Deliver up your sword to me, -sirrah! and, marry, you may thank me for dealing so leniently with you; -'tis more than you deserve.' - -Henry Morgan spoke fluent Spanish, having had to mix much with the -various traders of the West Indies. Harry Fenn, who could not well -understand the language, though he could see the angry frown on the -Captain's face, looked from the latter to Carlo, wondering what was -being said. Then he suddenly saw the young Spaniard angrily lift his -head and clasp his right hand upon the hilt of his sword as he -exclaimed: - -'I did but my duty, Senor Captain, and I will never deliver my sword to -any man, least of all to such rascals as you are.' - -'Carlo, it is best to obey; pray do not anger the Captain,' called out -his father anxiously. 'Silly boy! what can you do against all these -men? If you persist you must abide by the consequences.' - -At these words Carlo hung his head, but he did not answer, nor did he -look at all as if he meant to give way; so that now Harry Fenn clearly -understood what was taking place, and secretly much admired the Spanish -boy; but he knew only too well that in the end he would have to yield. -As well try to bend a full-grown oak as turn the iron will of Henry -Morgan. - -'And what good will that toy blade do for you?' asked the pirate -captain, laughing scornfully; and when he laughed he was more to be -dreaded than when he swore. 'It is no tried steel, young jackanapes, -but a somewhat spick-and-span new plaything.' - -'I demand a free pass for myself, for my father, and the women in this -house,' said Carlo, not daunted, but flushing with anger; 'for it is a -shame to remain under the same roof with such as you.' - -'A shame! Come, enough of thy vapouring and huffing! We'll see whose -shame it will be. Here, Cross, Simon, Watkins: seize that young scorpion -and fling him into the dungeons here; for I guess there are some down -below in which brave Englishmen have before now groaned away their -lives. "A tooth for a tooth" is no bad saying, and in the dark thou -mayest learn that "haste makes waste."' - -'Prithee, Captain,' said Harry, rushing between Carlo and the advancing -men, 'spare this young Spaniard: he was as brave as a lion under the -walls, and bravery ought to find favour with you--he rallied a mere -handful of men when there was no hope for him.' - -'Pshaw, Harry! away, boy, and mind thine own business. I hear there are -girls here, and that one is an English prisoner or slave: go and tell -them to come here--that is work more befitting thee--and leave this boy -alone.' - -[Illustration: _CARLO BEFORE CAPTAIN MORGAN_.] - -In a moment Carlo was seized by the three strong, lusty men; his sword -was wrenched from him; and with two long Spanish scarves his arms were -bound tightly behind him, and in this helpless state he was dragged from -the hall; whilst the Marquis, rising to his feet, protested in vain -against the outrage to his son. The truth was that Captain Morgan -wished to make an example of some one, and Carlo, being the Governor's -son, would satisfy any murmurs his men might be inclined to raise at the -death of their comrades. - -All was now noise and confusion, for the men began loudly to make all -kinds of requests to the Captain; and, seeing nothing would be got out -of them in the way of going to seek for cattle and provisions in the -island till they had finished their feast, Captain Morgan (who was a -very abstemious man himself) left the hall, begging the Marquis somewhat -roughly to show him over the place and to give him all the keys of the -stores. Harry Fenn was also commanded to be of the company, which -request he was glad enough to comply with, so as to get away from the -sight of the carouse and the sound of the rude jokes and laughter. - -In the meanwhile Carlo, struggling bravely to the last against his fate, -and angry and indignant at his treatment, was carried down to the -dungeon below, old Pedro being forced to show the way. Presently, after -passing through dark passages, the porter opened the door of a cell-like -chamber where no light was visible, and which looked most unfit for a -living being, much less for the delicately nurtured Carlo. - -'This is the only dungeon I know of,' grumbled Pedro; 'and many a pirate -has made acquaintance with it,' he added in a low voice. 'Would that I -could lock up many more!' - -'I fancy this will be good enough,' said Simon in a French accent. -'Here, fellow, give me the key and let me lock it myself; there's no -treachery these Spaniards are not equal to. Bum! that will do; the -silly boy is safe enough.' - -'Take it, then,' growled Pedro, 'it locks well enough;' but as he -delivered up the key he thought with a smile on his face, 'but there's -sometimes more doors than one even in a dungeon.' - - - - - CHAPTER X. - - A FELLOW-COUNTRYMAN. - - -The Indian slaves, who had been scattered like thistle-down in a wind -during this memorable night, now began to creep back to their various -stations and occupations at Santa Teresa; and from them poor Catalina -learnt, with more or less exaggeration, all that had taken place during -the memorable night, and that it was the Marquis himself who had really -betrayed them into the enemy's hands. - -The faithful servant would not abuse her master; but, taking Felipa's -head in her arms, she sobbed over her as if this shower of tears would -make matters better; at the same time pouring out all her information, -which was no comfort to the poor girl. Etta meanwhile stood by, pale -and calm, quickly trying to form some plan which would comfort gentle -Felipa. - -But when all at once the bad news reached them that Carlo had been -thrown into a dungeon, and that the pirates had the keys, and, further, -that Captain Morgan was on his way to pay the young ladies a visit, Etta -could not help feeling afraid, though she made up her mind that she -would not show it. She felt very proud of Carlo, and was somewhat -comforted by the idea that kind Harry Fenn would help him if he possibly -could. - -Etta possessed one of those natures which troubles only strengthen. Her -captivity, kind though it had proved for her, had not made her forget -her religion and her country; yet now she was anxious to do her utmost -to return gentle, timid Felipa's love; so she did her best to cheer her -with hopeful words, and not to give way herself to fear. - -'Do not be afraid, Felipa darling. Captain Morgan cannot eat us, you -know, and he will not dare to do us any bodily harm, for your father, -the Marquis, is still a free man. Besides, the pirates want food, Pedro -says, and when they have that they will most likely go away. Why could -we not send Andreas to warn your uncle of this assault? He is a good -man, and would send us help.' - -'Well, Senorita, that is a good idea, which never entered my head,' -cried Catalina; 'but where, in the name of all the saints, shall we find -Andreas? The Indians are terribly afraid of the pirates, and are trying -to hide in the woods; for I have heard they were very cruel to them the -last time they were here.' - -'You know, Felipa, that Carlo has taught me the peculiar whistle which -will bring Andreas to the foot of the south window,' said Etta. 'If he -is still in the neighbourhood he will hear it, and he would take his -canoe to the mainland and warn your uncle, the Governor of Chagres--I am -sure he would.' - -'But how could he leave his own castle?' answered Felipa. 'Dear Etta, -you are so hopeful and clever! If this could really come to pass! Poor -father would be glad, I am sure; for he must already be sorry all these -horrid men are in our hall. Yet he did it for the best.' - -This talk was now interrupted by the tread of footsteps without. The -girls had not been to bed, and were still in the sitting-room. Felipa -turned pale, and tremblingly clung to Catalina till she recognised her -father's voice in the passage, though the tones were sadly changed. - -The sun this morning shone gloriously in upon the frightened group as -the unhappy Marquis and Captain Morgan entered. Felipa at once ran up -to her father and put her hand into his, asking in this mute way for his -protection; but Etta, who was never at her ease with the Spanish -Governor, stood alone by the window. Yet, in spite of her inward fears, -she could not help feeling some curiosity at the sight of the dreaded -pirate about whom she had heard so much. - -After all, the buccaneer was not as dreadful as she had expected; and, -even if his appearance were somewhat strange, yet Etta felt she was in -the presence of one of her own countrymen; and her fears were further -dispelled by the sight of her new friend, Harry Fenn, close behind the -Captain. As for Catalina, she turned her face to the wall and audibly -muttered her prayers, or perhaps they were curses, on the intruder. - -'This, Captain, is my daughter,' said the Marquis, speaking in a very -nervous manner, 'and this other maiden is the English girl I mentioned. -Her father was an English merchant, and was killed here in fair fight; -she will tell you she has been very kindly treated.' - -'Thou canst speak thine own tongue, I hope?' said Captain Morgan; 'if -so, tell me thy name, little countrywoman. I trust thou hast not -altogether forgotten the speech of merrie England.' - -'My name is Henrietta Allison, and my mother told me our family was from -Kent; but oh, Sir Captain, will you release Carlo? Do not take his -words amiss, for he is as brave as any Englishman, and I should be loth -that my countrymen did him any harm.' Etta spoke with vehemence; her -love for Carlo made her bold, and she altogether forgot her fears. - -Captain Morgan frowned a little as he said, 'Marry! An overbold English -girl, I see. That young ragamuffin has only got his deserts, for it -always goes ill with a son who does not follow his father's footsteps. -But I like a wench that is fearless. Speak up, girl, and tell me if -thou hast any other boon to ask.' - -'If you will not grant me this one, I will have no other,' replied Etta, -her flashing eyes saying far more than mere words. - -'Marry! That is showing a fine spirit! Nay, nay, Mistress Henrietta -Allison, keep your angry looks for those who will be distressed by them. -Eh, Harry, hast made friends with your countrywoman? Stay here, boy, and -learn the courtly manners of the Spaniards, which, by my troth, our -rough fellows sadly lack. Now, please you, Senor, we will finish our -inspection of the castle; for as soon as my men have become rational -creatures again we must proceed to business. I fear I must disarm all -the inhabitants, and for mere form's sake I shall need to examine a few -prisoners. I must find, moreover, several bold spirits who will -faithfully show me the way to Panama; for I've sworn to take that city, -and "St. Catherine" shall serve as the war-cry of Morgan's men. Adieu, -fair maids; and do not distress yourselves about your companion; a few -days on bread and water will kill no lusty knight who has been routed in -battle.' - -So saying, he led the way out, and intimated with a wave of the hand -that the Marquis was to be his guide. Don Estevan del Campo staggered -out, feeling now, at last, that he had indeed made a mistake. Rather -would he have perished sword in hand than have heard that the -inhabitants were to be made prisoners, and examined, most likely, under -torture. His peace had, indeed, been bought dearly! - -'Do not be unhappy about your brother,' said Harry kindly, approaching -Felipa; 'he will be safe enough so long as the Captain is within this -place, and so long, too, as he bears his captivity patiently. That is -Captain Morgan's way; he cannot bear to be thwarted; yet I have known -him do kind deeds when he was in the humour for it.' - -'But I have a plan, bold Harry Fenn,' said Etta, now all eagerness to -carry out her ideas, 'only--may we trust you? You will not betray us.' - -'You forget what I have told you. I take no part in the affairs of the -buccaneers; I do not betray their secrets, because that would not be -honourable, but far less would I betray yours. I work enough for -them--work that pays for my victuals; but I will not help in their -robberies.' - -'Forgive me, Harry,' said Etta frankly. 'We are afraid of every one -now; yet we heard truly how you defended Carlo. Felipa, where is the -parchment? You must write to your uncle at once, and let the writing be -very small, for Andreas must carry it in his mouth; he says that is the -only safe hiding-place.' - -Felipa sat down to write a few words to her uncle Don Alvarez, Governor -of Chagres Castle; whilst Catalina, who could not write at all, looked -on, giving her advice freely. Etta in the meanwhile told Harry of her -plan, but she did not notice the start he gave as she mentioned that Don -Alvarez was Governor of the castle of La Chagres, and a noble and brave -gentleman who had sometimes paid them a visit at Santa Teresa. - -When the note was at last written hopeful Etta went softly out of the -room to the end of a long passage. Opening a little window, she -imitated the peculiar whistle which Carlo had taught her, and which was -his signal between Andreas and himself. Harry had accompanied her, and -he seemed as anxious as she was about the arrival of the faithful -Indian. - -'Did the Senorita Felipa,' he asked, 'say in what distress you were, and -what was the reason of your needing help?' - -'Nay; she said merely, "We are in great sorrow: come at once," and then -something more about her poor father,' said Etta; and Harry could not -help admiring the golden hair and sunny face of his new friend. - -But though Etta repeated her whistle no one appeared for a long time, -but just as she was giving up in despair all hope of seeing the Indian, -she noticed Andreas below creeping towards the verandah which he was -accustomed to climb in order to get within hearing of Carlo. Now, -however, he merely shook his head and whistled softly a few notes which -meant 'Come here at sunset'; and with this she was obliged to be -contented, knowing that only real danger would keep him away. - -'I fancy he is watched,' said Harry; 'to-night he had better escape, if -he is wise.' And then, very sorrowfully, the girl led the way back to -the sitting-room. - -The girls dared not step out of their own chamber all the -morning--indeed Catalina kept good guard over them, so that it was some -comfort to listen to Harry Fenn's adventures and to hear what he liked -best to talk of--the account of his home life. Felipa could not quite -understand how he could be so clever, being neither a noble's son nor a -young priest; but Etta had English ideas, imbibed from her parents, and -her love of England made her listen eagerly to Harry's talk of the old -church on the hill and of the learned and kind Mr. Aylett, who had -taught him so much and whom she hoped to see some day. And, further, as -misfortune draws hearts together, he told Etta of that last day at home, -and how he had made the effort of renouncing his roving wishes, and yet -how he had been forced to cross the ocean and see strange new sights in -spite of himself. - -'I have had it often on my conscience that God was punishing me for my -many discontented thoughts,' said the boy; 'and yet I think Mr. Aylett -would not put it so. He must have told my parents that I was willing to -stay.' - -'No, no; he could not blame you,' said Etta, clasping her hands, 'for -then you would have also to say that God is punishing me for having been -often in a passion when I was but ten years old. We must always be -friends now, Harry, for our stories are much alike; but some day you -will get back home, and you will tell your parents all you went through -and of all your adventures, and then you will remember me and send some -good merchant to take me away from St. Catherine to my uncle's house in -Kent. I will show you the letters I have some time.' - -'If an English man-of-war was to touch here, then I would run away,' -said Harry. 'I have never given my word not to escape.' - -'And did you really always say your prayers?' said Etta under her -breath, who looked upon Harry as a very saintly hero. 'For sometimes I -have forgotten them when nobody reminded me; and you must have found it -very difficult.' - -'Nay, but without them I think I should have despaired entirely.' - -Catalina now broke in upon their talk by saying, 'Come, young -Englishman, if you are as friendly as you pretend, why can you not get -my poor Carlo out of that dungeon? He will die there, for I am sure -those ruffians will give him no food.' - -'I will do my best,' said Harry, 'and anyhow I will bring you news later -in the day; and I will go now and see if I can do aught with the Captain -for him.' - -When he was gone, Felipa and Etta fell fast asleep on a low couch, being -quite wearied out with the events of the long night and morning, and so -for a little while they forgot their troubles. - - - - - CHAPTER XI. - - THE SECRET PASSAGE. - - -Etta's courage came back with new energy after her long rest; the -presence of Harry Fenn in the castle seemed to lessen the dangers which -now evidently surrounded the little party; and, at all events, so long -as he was here they would not be left in uncertainty. But it was nearly -sunset before any one came to break their solitude in the sitting-room. -At last there was a sound. - -'Hish! Open: it is Harry Fenn. Have no fears.' - -Etta ran to the door and let him in. He had a basket in his hands full -of fruit, and also some bread, on which Catalina seized with joy. - -'I knew you must be hungry,' said Harry, 'so I took these when no one -was looking. All the slaves are working with unusual activity. In -truth, the Captain has enough to do, and the Marquis has been sent to -San Salvador to make the garrison deliver up all the guns that are -there. It is sad to see him so cast down.' - -'But what other news is there? Can we soon go out of this room? It is -so cool under the trees, whilst here we are so hot, and everything is -miserable,' said poor Felipa, who felt the burden of her life greater -than she could bear now her father was away and Carlo in prison, and she -herself was not far removed from being a prisoner. - -'I fancy, Senorita, that in a few days Captain Morgan will have decided -something. He found great difficulty to-day in preventing his men -scattering themselves after booty. All the main forts are in his hands, -and he is busy ordering the removal of guns and ammunition to the fleet; -and those who will show him hidden treasure get a title to his favour. -You can see some of the ships from the windows of this castle. As soon -as he can finish this work, I expect he will set sail. He does say he -will not leave a musket in the island; but I fancy some of the negroes -have already hidden away powder and muskets, for the men are inclined to -handle them too roughly.' - -'They may take all the guns they like,' said Catalina impatiently, 'if -they will release the Senorito Carlo to me. I wish I could hang up -these villains on our tall groogroos!' - -'Unfortunately the man who has the key of the Senorito's dungeon has -gone away to the other island,' said Harry, 'but as I passed by the gate -just now an old man asked me if I would tell the nurse Catalina that the -young Senor was not so fast locked but that she could get at him if she -so wished. I know not what he meant, but I thanked him for his good -offices.' - -At this Catalina clapped her hands, saying that Pedro was more cunning -than he seemed to be, and that Carlo need not now starve; but no one -understood her. - -'It is close on sunset,' said Harry to Etta, 'and if you are going to -keep your appointment with the Indian, I would like to come with you. I -suppose you are sure he is to be trusted, for some of these Indians are -none too brave, our men say, and fly like crows when they smell powder.' - -'Andreas! Yes, indeed, he loves Carlo as his own son. They often have -gone hunting together.' - -So the two returned softly to the place of meeting at the window above -the verandah, and, after waiting till the sun had sunk and darkness had -suddenly come on, they heard the sound of soft whistling, and in another -moment Andreas had swung himself over the balcony and stood by their -side. - -Etta seized his hand. - -'Good Andreas, do you know all our misfortunes? Senor Carlo is still in -the dungeon, the Marquis has gone to deliver up some guns, and if it -were not for this kind friend we should be almost forsaken.' - -Andreas made a low salutation, but, all the same, eyed Harry rather -suspiciously. - -'Do not be afraid,' continued Etta; 'he is a prisoner as we are, and -will help us. Look, Andreas, could you manage to escape and take this -note of the Senorita Felipa to her uncle at the Castle of Chagres? He -would bring us help if he knew how badly we wanted it.' - -Andreas shook his head. - -'It is impossible, I fear. I am only at liberty because I can be useful -with the cattle and the horses in the compound.' - -'But, good Andreas, you cannot know how important it is that this -Spanish gentleman should know that Captain Morgan has taken St. -Catherine,' said Harry quickly. 'If you cannot go, could you find some -one else? Surely we have had enough horrors here and elsewhere,' he -added, half to himself. - -'The blacks cannot be trusted, and none of my tribe would care to go. -However, give it me, Senora; if I cannot go no one shall take the -writing from me.' And with this Etta had to be satisfied; but she added -in English: - -'If Andreas says no, it means no; for he is the cleverest and bravest -Indian there is in all the island.' - -'When do you think the pirates will go, Andreas?' she asked anxiously. - -'The Captain is asking for men who know the roads on the mainland. I -believe they intend to attack Panama; and yet that is a big rich city, -and is not badly defended, so that I can hardly believe that such is -really their intention.' - -After this, Andreas said he must not stay longer, as he was obliged to -go back to the compound, but that he would come the next day at sundown -to the same place, if in the meanwhile he were unable to escape from the -vigilance of his new masters in order to go to the mainland, where, some -short distance down the Chagres River, stood the castle of that name, -strongly garrisoned by Spanish soldiers. - -As Harry and Etta returned towards the sitting-room the former promised -he would come back early the next morning and bring what food he could -find, only begging that the Senorita and Etta would not dream of showing -themselves below stairs; for indeed the scenes that went on--the -drinking, swearing, and quarrelling--were no fit sight for them--'or, -indeed, for any Christian man,' added Harry. 'They will soon fall to -and begin to cross their cudgels, fancying they are full of wit and -valour; though, indeed, there are many who have only joined them because -misfortunes have come upon them in the old country, and they fancy this -wild life is better than starving. Some, too, were trained to fight in -the late wars, and say that life is naught without a sword and a -war-cry; yet I know that many of them disapprove of the cruel deeds they -see.' - -'But you would escape if you could?' asked Etta. - -'Yes, indeed; but Captain Morgan knows that, and I feel sure I am often -watched. Good-night, Mistress Etta. I will do my best to free you out -of this distress.' - -Etta found on her return that everything looked more cheerful, and -indeed Felipa ran towards her friend and began kissing her as she -laughed and cried alternately. - -'What is the matter? what has happened?' said Etta; for Catalina looked -just as happy, and was praising all the saints in the calendar. - -'Catalina is so clever and so good! Fancy! she has seen Carlo, and, -look, he has shared our supper!' - -'Where is he? have they freed him?' - -'No, no--hush!--but it was good Pedro's doing; they made him show them -the way to the dungeons, and he got him locked up in the cell that has -another door into it, and we can get at it from here. You know that -nasty dirty little staircase which we were always afraid of? Well, that -leads to his cell. In former times, Catalina says, they used to go down -from here and try to get the secrets out of the prisoners by making them -false promises. That is why there are two doors in it.' - -'And have you seen him? Oh, Catalina, let me go down at once and speak -to dear Carlo! He will know now we are going to send a message to Don -Alvarez, for Andreas will try hard to get away.' - -'No, no, Senorita, you must not go now. I crept down like a snake, and -found my poor boy crouched in a corner quite faint for want of food. -How he started up when I pushed back the sliding panel! and, in truth, -he was ready to fight me, fancying I was a pirate come to murder him. -And when he saw it was only old Catalina he nearly cried; though he -laughed, too, afterwards. He knew I could not see the tears, mind you, -in that dark hole. Well, he ate the bread and fruit in a very short -time, and asked no end of questions, poor boy, and sent an especial -message to you to tell you he was not so badly off now he could hear -news of us. It was as good as any feast, he said.' - -'But, Catalina, why did you not bring him here? We could hide him, I am -sure we could; and if not, he could escape by the balcony.' - -'I suggested it to him, but he was wiser. "My jailors may come at any -moment," he said, "and then, seeing me gone, they would soon search and -discover the door, and no one can tell what they might then do." Ah, he -is a brave youth; it is a pity his father is not like him.' - -It was indeed a great comfort to feel that their Carlo was so near to -them, and at all events would not die of starvation, as there was before -much chance of his doing if left to the tender mercies of his captors, -who were now beginning to recover from their carousal, and were being -sent to all parts of the two islands with orders to drive the harmless -inhabitants in to the various fortresses as if they had been cattle, and -to treat all who resisted the appropriation of their goods as if they -were rebels. - -It was decided that Carlo could not be visited again till a late hour -the next morning, for fear of any one being discovered in the cell. -Etta, as more agile than Catalina, was then to visit the dungeon; and, -much comforted, the three this evening knelt down to pray together that -God would deliver them from their sad plight and take care of their own -dear Carlo and the Marquis. - -Felipa was very fond of her father in spite of being a little afraid of -him; he had always been indulgent to her, and she fretted at seeing -nothing of him. The truth was, that the Governor preferred even looking -after the betrayed fortresses to seeing the sorrow of his children; and -he was much afraid Felipa would reproach him for having allowed Carlo to -be imprisoned. - -As the girls would not leave the sitting-room, through which alone they -could get at Carlo, Catalina spread some mattresses on the floor for -them; and this evening they slept soundly in spite of their many -misfortunes. - -They were up at sunrise, and were all impatience for the first tidings -which Harry had promised to bring them; but when at last they heard his -voice, and let him in, he was not in a very cheerful mood. - -'When is Captain Morgan going away?' asked Etta, whose sweet face and -golden hair made Harry hunger all the more for his home, in order that -he might send or fetch her. 'Make haste and tell us good news. I have -a lovely plan for saving you from these people, Harry Fenn, but I dare -not tell it yet I would dearly love to hear their hue and cry after you. -How they would boggle at finding you gone!' - -'You need not make plans for me, Mistress Etta: the Captain has even -just now told me that he wishes me to go aboard one of his ships. He -knows I will not fight, but he would fain make me act spy on the others. -But see, this is all I could find for you, Catalina. Here are some yams -and bananas and bread. I wanted to bring you a cooked fowl, but one of -the men was angry at what he called my huge appetite. They think that -as I will not do all their work I must not eat the good things, and that -I am not worth my provender, as they put it.' - -'But when shall you go?' asked Felipa, who looked so much more cheerful -this morning that Harry could not help noticing it. - -'No, no: you must not go!' said Etta, seizing his hand. 'Stay with us, -and we will send you back to England. The Senora Felipa will ask her -father, and when the pirates are gone----' - -'Thank you for your kind good offices; but your plan is impossible, for -Captain Morgan does not mean to leave Santa Teresa just yet; he is -sending out four ships and a boat to try how he gets on in those parts.' - -'Where?' - -'That I durst not say, Senora; it was only by accident that I overheard -it; but I know that, in the future, the Captain's mind is set upon -taking the great town of Panama.' - -'He will never do that,' said Felipa, tossing her head. 'There is a -strong garrison there, and His Catholic Majesty would never forgive them -if they allowed it to be taken by such needy gallants as your crew.' - -'That is what I think too, Senora. However, I dare say our ships will -come back from this lesser expedition somewhat humbled and crestfallen. -At present their pride knows no bounds. But, dear ladies, I am sorry to -say that I am the bringer of evil news, which it goes against me to -tell; but it is best to know the worst. I heard Captain Morgan say that -the Senorito Carlo was to be released this morning and to be taken on -this expedition, because----' - -'Oh, how dreadful! Carlo to go with all those wicked men! Nay, I know -he will never consent,' cried Felipa. - -'But in truth he will be less likely to get harm than in those damp -dungeons below. I reminded the Captain that the Senor had had no food, -and that men would cry shame on himself if the Senor were to come to -harm.' - -'Thank you, Sir Harry, for your kind intentions,' said Felipa in her -somewhat quaint English, 'but indeed I had rather my brother were in the -dungeon than out at sea with such knaves as these buccaneers. Cannot -you obtain this boon from your captain for us; for if my brother goes -what shall we do?' - -Harry would not tell her he had no power; so, promising to do his best, -he hurried away, not daring to stay longer. - - - - - CHAPTER XII. - - A NEW EXPEDITION. - - -The hours wore away very, very slowly for poor Carlo, who in his damp -dark cell reflected with bitter shame on the departed glory of his name. -Moreover, it was hard to bear this terrible confinement; and now and -then the thought would pass through his mind that he had been a fool for -his pains, for his resistance had done no good to any one, and had put -him into a very luckless place and a miserable condition. But Catalina's -visit and the discovery of the secret door, though it opened only from -the outside of the cell into the narrow secret passage, took away all -the feeling of loneliness, which is almost unbearable to the young. Now -all was different. Upstairs and not far from him there were those who -cared for him; and, to say the truth, the food Catalina had brought very -much contributed to his more cheerful spirits. When first imprisoned -there had been no time to do more than thrust the boy into the cell, so -he was free to walk the two steps which were all that the width of the -place allowed; but it was a comfort to feel with his fingers for the -slight marks of the secret door, and to place his ear against it, -listening intently for coming footsteps. - -This morning, however, it was in the outside passage that he first heard -sounds; and presently the key creaked in the lock, the bolts were drawn -back, and a rough voice called out with a seasoning of oaths: - -'Here, young cub, take this loaf; it's none of the newest, but good -enough for young teeth; and here's water to wash it down with; for, ay, -marry, it's all you'll get till to-night, when the Captain has ordered -your release. Maybe by then you'll have learnt to cudgel less and show -less paltry spite.' - -Carlo's heart beat fast, for the very idea of once more seeing the sun -and enjoying the lovely sights and sounds of the tropical world made him -happy. No, he did not now regret his conduct: he had vindicated his -honour, and the price was not too great. He longed to know more, but of -course he would not ask this fellow for any news, so he received his -communication in silence. In consequence of this he was favoured with -another volley of opprobrious titles, which he bore with patience, as -beneath the notice of a nobly born Spaniard. - -When this visit was over, Carlo set himself again to listen for more -welcome footsteps; but it was only after an hour had elapsed that he was -rewarded by hearing, not Catalina's heavy tread, but a gentle well-known -footfall. It was Etta, who after some difficulty managed to slide back -the secret door; and, peering into the darkness without at first seeing -anything, she exclaimed: - -'Carlo, are you there? Oh, how dreadful! Here, dear Carlo, take this -bread, and a fresh banana; for you must be very hungry. How glad I am -that you will not be here much longer! And yet----' - -'How do you know, Etta? Was it Harry Fenn that told you? Will they -give me back my sword? and where is my father?' - -'We know hardly anything; for though of course we are not in this horrid -hole, yet we are as much prisoners as you are, my poor Carlo; and if it -were not for Harry Fenn we should have had to go down to the hall -amongst those rough men and beg for bread. Even Catalina dare not do -that, for she cannot abide their rude jestings.' - -'Never mind: when I am released I shall teach those ruffians manners and -see that you are not neglected,' said Carlo, still a little jealous of -the doings of this new Harry. - -'But, Carlo, did they not tell you? You are to be put aboard one of the -pirate ships and to show them the way somewhere; and indeed you must put -a good face on the matter for fear they should handle you roughly.' - -Carlo was struck dumb at this news; but at last he burst forth with-- - -'The rascals! What! do they think they are going to use me as a guide -to some other unfortunate Spanish settlement? That they never shall. -They may tear my limbs, but for such knaves----' - -'Hush, hush, Carlo! What if they heard you! But Harry Fenn is to go -too. He knows nothing of your father or of what has happened to him; -and, alack! poor Felipa, who was so glad and happy yesterday, is now -all-sorrowful again. Dear Carlo, when you are aboard try and bear their -raillery and stuff your ears, and---- But I dare not stay longer, -Catalina is so frightened lest I should be discovered here, or for fear -we should receive a visit from the Captain upstairs, and he would -assuredly ask what had become of me; so good-bye, dear Carlo! Do not be -rash; for, in truth, they may put you on the ship, but they cannot make -you speak, and you do not know the roads of the mainland, so you can -easily baffle these boors. Ah, now, I was forgetting to tell you that -Felipa wanted to come with me, but Catalina would not let her. She sent -you all her true love.' - -So these two took leave, and Etta, drawing back the tiny door and -replacing the bolts, ran lightly upstairs, having put Catalina in a -great fright; for hardly had the door of the dark cupboard out of which -the turret stairs descended been shut when voices were heard close to -the door of the dwelling-room. The old woman was much excited as she -exclaimed-- - -'St. Teresa save us! Etta mi! What heart-palpitations you have given -me! Quick, child! lie down on the couch and hide all the cobwebs and -dust which are on your petticoat.' - -Etta did so, trying to conceal her smiles; and Catalina threw a lace -shawl over her, Spanish fashion; so that when Captain Henry Morgan -entered, followed by a gentle-looking Frenchman, only the most natural -sight in the world met their eyes. - -'Marry! see you, Sieur Maintenon, here is the dovecot I mentioned; but -the dovelets are not so young but that they can coo. Prithee here, my -English maid, and tell me anything thou canst of the mainland. Was thy -merchant father wont to trade there? If so, he must often have landed -at Panama, where rich stuffs are much _a la mode_ and prized.' - -Etta was forced to get up; but Catalina, pretending to help her, -privately shook as much dirt as she could from her petticoat. - -'No, Sir Captain, my father was an honest merchant who traded among the -English isles, Jamaica chiefly, and took trips to England, but he never -meddled with the Spanish settlements.' - -'Was it so? My experience is that merchants are glad to trudge wherever -they can get gold coins. But you, Senorita, you have sometimes left -this island? Speak plainly, for I like not capricious or saucy -maidens,' said the Frenchman in soft Spanish tones to Felipa. - -'Never, Senor, except to go a visit to my uncle, the noble Don Alvarez, -Governor of the Castle of St. Lawrence, which some call the Castle of -Chagres because of the river of that name; and I wish heartily that I -could let him know now of our distress.' - -'Marry! pretty dove, do not have the doleful dumps on that score, for -such a message will not be difficult to deliver,' laughed Captain -Morgan; 'the little Senorita can give it to that valiant warrior her -brother, for I purpose despatching four of my ships there this very -evening.' - -Felipa and Catalina lifted up their heads in horror, and the former -burst into tears as she exclaimed, 'You will go to Chagres and attack -the great Don Alvarez! That cannot be!' - -'Why not? Before the whole cheese is taken one must taste a little bit -of it and see if it is good. From Chagres we can easily cross the -narrow neck of land, but we want good guides to traverse that marshy -region. Know you any such?' - -'I will send and warn my uncle,' said Felipa proudly, drying her tears; -'he is better armed than we were here, and he will receive you in a -manner you will not like--that I can well foreknow.' - -Captain Morgan nodded to his companion. - -'So said I, pretty maid. Mark you, Maintenon, I will tell Captain -Brodely to keep the ships well together; I hear from that vile caitiff -Espada that the mouth of the river is dangerous, and that there are -several gunboats stationed there.' - -'And if it were not,' put in Felipa incautiously, 'the castle is on the -top of the mountain and can never be taken. My uncle Don Alvarez will -not be deceived by your tricks as was my father, and your fair promises -will be laughed to scorn by him, for he will fight to the death.' - -'Thank you, pretty Senorita, for your advice. I will not forget to tell -my men what kind of brave gentlemen they will have to meet; an we are -worsted we must yield on honourable terms. But, doubtless, your brother -will tell us more. I'faith, Maintenon, I must see that the ships are -well manned and victualled: it does not do to trust any one but oneself -when there is much risk in an enterprise, and, for all we know, a mortal -crisis and some mangling of Christian bones.' - -So saying, the Captain moved away, and smiled as he noticed old Catalina -in her corner busily muttering her usual imprecations against him. When -not thwarted Henry Morgan was an agreeable man with much sense of -humour; and it was partly this that had enabled him to keep his -heterogeneous horde together, though quarrels were frequent enough, and -led, as he said, to bangs and knocks sufficient to harden any softer -fists. - -There was much indignation and many exclamations of despair from the -girls and their old nurse when they were once more alone, which were -only calmed when Felipa indignantly remarked: - -'My uncle Don Alvarez will never be conquered by such people, and dear -Carlo will see him and tell him, when he has routed these knaves, to -come to our help. If only I could see my brother!' - -But it was not thought prudent to descend again after the narrow escape -Etta had had, for they could not tell at what hour Carlo might be -released. - -'May the good God take care of my dear boy!' sighed poor Catalina, much -depressed. She was feeling that her responsibilities were almost too -great, and she heartily wished the Marquis would come back and take care -of his children. Happily, till now Felipa had not fretted too much, -though the poor girl was beginning to show signs of fatigue and anxiety. -She was far more delicate than sturdy English Etta, whose spirits soon -reasserted themselves and made her inclined to forget the dangers that -still existed. - -In the meanwhile Carlo waited impatiently in his cell for the time when -he should hear the steps of a pirate coming to release him; for now, -having thought the question out, he had come to the conclusion that he -had best take the matter quietly. Not being a prisoner on parole, he was -free to escape, and perhaps he should soon find some opportunity of -doing so. Once free, he believed that the faithful Andreas could hide -him in the woods till such time as peace was restored. He had leisure -now to make many reflections as to the future; but at last he heard -footsteps in the passage outside. His heart beat fast, though he tried -to appear cool. He could not guess the time of day, but he felt sure it -was not far off sunset, when at last his door was hastily opened and a -man told him roughly to get up and follow him. Carlo did so. He was a -little stiff, and almost blinded by the light; but it seemed like a new -life to be breathing once more the fresh air, and to feel the warm glow -of the sunshine through his chilled veins. At the end of the passage he -found several other men awaiting him; but they did not pinion him as -before--an insult Carlo would have found it difficult to forgive. - -'Quick, young Senor, this way; we have no time to waste. We want no -idle vermin among our crew.' - -It was fortunate for Carlo that Etta had prepared him for this new -bondage, or he might have refused to follow the buccaneers out of Santa -Teresa. As it was, however, he would not obey quite silently or without -protest. - -'Where are you conducting me?' he asked, 'I demand to be taken to my -father.' - -'Very likely, sirrah; but those are not our orders. Marry! it's best to -ask no questions when one is Captain Morgan's prisoner, else some -inquisitive knaves have learnt what it means "to swing like a skipper."' - -Carlo thought this advice wise, and followed it. - -Presently he saw that the men were joined by a fellow he knew well, -Espada, who had evidently turned traitor. Carlo had seen him last at -the Platform, and he was horrified to hear him say he was prepared to -guide the men by a narrow path which led down the face of the steep -cliff, and which they could not have found unassisted. It was by no -means a pleasant descent, but it saved a few miles of walking, and, once -at the bottom, they found a canoe awaiting them. With a heavy heart -Carlo saw the massive walls of Santa Teresa disappearing. After a short -row the boat he was in was moored alongside one of the pirate ships -stationed just outside the bay, and he was bidden to scramble up a very -rude rope ladder on to the deck of the ship, which, he found, was called -'The Falcon.' - -'Is Captain Brodely on board?' asked the escort, 'for here is the son of -that craven-hearted Governor. By my faith! a valuable cargo, I take it; -for he's to serve as guide, and to be hostage for the Marquis's good -conduct in the future. Now then, young sir, on with you this way. And -best budge quickly; for there's to be no tricks here, remember, or it -will be the worse for you.' - -Poor Carlo! his Spanish pride inwardly rebelled; but, true to his -resolution, he replied nothing to all these taunts. The Captain was too -busy to attend to him, so he was presently locked up in a small cabin -where the spirits stolen from Santa Teresa were stored; still he could -see the dancing waves through the tiny port-hole, and, compared to the -dungeon he had just left, this place was indeed like a palace, though -the only pieces of furniture were barrels of wine and spirit-kegs, in -which the Dutch carried on a brisk trade, and which therefore received -the name of Hollands. - -When darkness fell over the beautiful shore the noise on board in no way -diminished, and such a shouting and holloaing was heard that it was easy -to see the pirates were in high spirits, and thought themselves -invincible and able to do as they liked. - -After a time Carlo fell asleep, and was awakened only by feeling himself -gently shaken. He started up, and saw by the help of the moonlight the -kind face of Harry Fenn bending over him. - -'You here! Thank God!' exclaimed Carlo. 'At all events these wretches -will not murder me without some one knowing of it and reporting the -crime!' - -Harry laughed at Carlo's somewhat moody ideas. - -'Oh, Senor, in truth you are safe enough now we have started, and I am -bidden to ask you to come and sup in the Captain's own cabin. He is -under strict orders to treat you well when once we are out at sea. And, -look you, Senor: these men have not been told that you can understand -English, so prithee keep the secret. They all come from the bigger -island, and were not at Santa Teresa. Later on we may find it -convenient to understand each other in English whispers. At present, -remember, I only know very few Spanish words.' - -Carlo nodded, and with new hope followed the English boy into the -Captain's cabin. - - - - - CHAPTER XIII. - - THE ESCAPE. - - -Captain Morgan had done wisely in thinking that it was quite necessary -for him to have some base of operations on the mainland before crossing -the narrow neck of land which separated him from the coveted prize, the -city of Panama. It was for this reason that the expedition under -Captain Brodely was sent out, whilst he detained the rest of his ships -at safe anchor at St. Catherine, and also kept his men in good temper by -letting them do as they pleased and ransack the two fair Spanish islands -of this name. - -Captain Brodely was a daring seaman, who had seen before now the inside -of Spanish prisons, and knew the ground round about Panama pretty -accurately; but the Castle of Chagres was on the opposite side of the -isthmus, and the river Chagres, which flowed at the foot of the hill on -which stood the castle, was difficult to navigate, and great care would -therefore be needed to steer the ships into safe anchorage. The Captain -had been told that the Marquis's son knew well the castle and its -surroundings; but when Harry Fenn entered his cabin accompanied by -Carlo, the sturdy rover looked with scorn on the slight stripling whom -Captain Morgan had sent him for guide. As hostage he might be all very -well, but for aught else the Englishman preferred trusting his own good -sense to the doubtful information abstracted from an unwilling prisoner -whose Spanish blood prevented him, in the eyes of Captain Brodely at -least, from having any regard for truth. - -Carlo found himself, therefore, treated with silent contempt rather than -with severity by his new jailor, and as the 'Falcon' bounded over the -water he could not help feeling happier than in his dungeon, wondering -much how it was that he had appreciated liberty so little until now. - -After the first interview he received no special orders, nor was he -expected to do anything; so, wishing to be alone, he retired for the -night under a bale of goods stolen from one of the fortresses in St. -Catherine. Harry Fenn, however, soon joined him, and the two spent the -rest of the night by no means unpleasantly under this shelter, which had -the merit of being out of the way of the crew. The next morning land was -dimly in sight, and they expected to strike it in the afternoon; so -before this time the Captain had several confabulations with his men. -They knew that their ships were certain to be seen, so that it was -hopeless to attempt to creep up in the dark unperceived, as their own -safety required them to use the daylight. - -Chagres, as has been said, was built on a high hill close to the river; -it was surrounded by strong palisades buttressed with earth, and a ditch -thirty feet deep defended its near approach. It had but one entry, and -that reached by a drawbridge over the said ditch. Four bastions looked -landward and two seaward. On the north side ran the river, and on the -south the hill was too steep for any invader to climb. At the foot of -the mountain was another fort with eight guns commanding the river, and -two other batteries were placed a little lower down. This, then, was the -well-fortified place which the pirates were now determined to possess -themselves of; and no wonder that Carlo spoke rather scornfully to Harry -of the expedition as an impossible and rash dream. - -'My uncle, Don Alvarez, is as wise and brave a man as can be found in -all the dominions of the King of Spain,' he whispered to his companion, -when the two were left alone, unnoticed by the excited sailors. - -'I have seen enough of these men, Senorito, to make me disbelieve in -nothing. They will leap down headlong into danger, and get up unhurt. -But I see they are not making straight for the mouth of the river; -doubtless we shall land a little way off, so as to avoid the fire from -the fort.' - -'If I could but warn my uncle!' said Carlo earnestly. 'Look you, Master -Harry Fenn, I will give you a handsome reward if----' - -Harry tossed back his fair hair even as a young colt who is galloping -before the wind, as he answered: - -'You forget, Senor, that though I may be among thieves, yet I am an -honest Englishman, and I take no reward for doing what I can. I am no -knave that gripes after a reward.' - -Carlo saw that he had insulted the boy who had saved his life, and with -his usual impetuous generosity he apologised fully. - -'Indeed, indeed, I meant no harm. I am sorely troubled; but you at -least will forgive me. This luckless affair has made me foolish.' - -Harry was easily pacified, and he himself at once suggested a plan by -which Carlo might accomplish his purpose. - -'Look now, Senor Carlo: when our ships come to anchor, they will put -more than half the men ashore in order to carry the castle by assault, -and they will not trouble themselves much about us, I see. If we could -escape then, and go faster than the attacking party, we might do some -good in warning Don Alvarez.' - -'Yes, that is indeed a first-rate idea, and that also reminds me that, -close by the landing at the foot of the castle, there is a small steep -staircase cut out of the solid rock. I have often climbed up by it for -quickness when I have been staying with my uncle and was late for -supper. If we could somehow get there, trust me to distance them. What -think you of this possibility?' - -Harry's smile showed that he appreciated the idea, so they were soon -deep in ways and means; for they could not help entering into the spirit -of the attack, now that they were planning a counter-expedition of their -own. Very soon there was more than enough excitement, however. Their -ships had been discovered, and the pirates seeing the enemy's guns begin -to play upon them, Captain Brodely clearly understood it was useless -attempting to enter the river, so the ships bore down on a small port -about three miles from Chagres, and when the sun went down they lay at -anchor. There was to be no rest for any one that night. All was bustle -and confusion, some of the crew declaring they would land, some that -they would find it easy to run the gauntlet of the forts; and among all -this discord the Captain had more than enough to do to keep the peace, -and some show of authority. - -'Now, Senor, here's our time,' said Harry, with eagerness, for some of -his fresh ardour and adventurous spirit was returning now that he could -lawfully indulge it. 'We can take a small boat from our masters; or if -not, perhaps we can swim to shore from here and walk along the coast, if -that is possible in the darkness.' - -'Yes, for the tide is low; but the moon will soon be up, and then trust -me for the rest. But how shall we baffle the men?' - -'The men are too busy to notice us. I can let myself down by a rope. -Or wait--I will hold the rope for you, and when you are in the boat, -which is moored below, I will let myself down. But cut the rope as soon -as you are in, for I can swim out to you.' - -'But the sharks--are you not afraid of them?' asked Carlo, who knew that -these dreaded enemies had always to be taken into account. - -'They are less likely to be about at this time,' said Harry, cheerfully; -'but of course I must chance them. "Nothing venture, nothing have," is -an English proverb which the buccaneers certainly act upon.' - -In truth, Harry's plan was very cleverly thought out. The pirates, -aware that no enemy would dare to come and attack them after dark, had -let down their small boats and canoes, and were busily preparing -everything for an early start. - -Carlo now nimbly scrambled down, helped by Harry's steady hand, and -safely descended into a canoe which was tied to the ship, and which was -ordinarily used for running up narrow creeks in the islands. Then he -crouched down and waited breathlessly for Harry to follow; but, to his -horror, he suddenly heard voices above, and distinctly caught Harry's -words, evidently meant for him to hear-- - -'I shall stay here as long as I choose: don't wait for me. Off with -you: your business brooks no delay.' - -A gruff voice answered: - -'Marry! but you'll come with me too, young Pug-robin; the Captain says -there's a good deal to do in stowing away the provision for to-morrow, -and idle hands are not wanted here. Those that won't work can filch no -booty.' - -Then came the sound of retreating footsteps, and Carlo knew that all was -up as far as Harry was concerned; so, cutting the rope, and not caring -much whether he were discovered or not, so desperate had he become, he -took the oars, and as silently as possible he shot off into the -darkness, going, as far as he was able to judge, straight for the shore. - -No one, however, seemed to have discovered his escape, for he heard no -hue and cry raised, nor sound of pursuers; and this fact, after a time, -raised his spirits. Happily, his expeditions with Andreas had made him -a skilful oarsman, and when the moon rose he was able to see that he had -got well forward and was out of sight of the pirates, having turned -round a projecting cliff, and being now well in sight of the river's -mouth. - -If only Harry had been with him Carlo would have thoroughly enjoyed the -adventure. He was so sure that, once in Chagres Castle, he should be -safe and free, that he was all eagerness to push on. - -'I shall save my uncle, and be ready to fight for him,' thought he. -'Ah, if only my father had not been so deluded, perhaps Chagres would -not now have to defend itself against this fierce horde.' - -With these thoughts mingled ideas of the praise he should receive, and -also sad remembrances of the desolation of his own home, and of the -terrible story which he should have to tell his uncle; but he had -immense faith in Don Alvarez, and longed for his advice and kind -sympathy. As he neared the shore he saw that great excitement prevailed -there, the authorities fancying he was a pirate ambassador come to -parley; for the arrival of the ships was known, and a strict look-out -was kept. A boat full of soldiers was immediately dispatched, and was -soon alongside of him; and the astonishment was great when the men saw, -on close inspection, that the boat contained only a young fellow rowing -himself to shore. At last Carlo, by dint of showing he had nothing with -him but food, and that he was in reality only the son of Don Estevan del -Campo, was allowed to land. Then, fearful of some ruse, the soldiers -surrounded him, and took him before the officer who was now on guard at -the lower fort. Fortunately, this latter had once seen Carlo, and then -all were intensely eager to hear the news. After hastily telling the -bare facts, Carlo hastened up the rocky stairs, accompanied by a -soldier, who took the precaution of bringing a safe-conduct, signed by -the superior officer, for the edification of the porter; otherwise there -might have been some difficulty in entering the castle, so watchful and -so suspicious had every one become on hearing of the approach of the -dreaded pirates; for the name of Henry Morgan was sufficient to cause -almost a panic in a Spanish garrison. - -The surprise and pleasure of Don Alvarez and his gentle wife, Dona -Elena, can easily be imagined when they saw their nephew, and heard of -his marvellous escape from the pirates' ship; but the outline only of -the events which had taken place at St. Catherine could be now -discussed, Don Alvarez being so busy and eager to do everything in his -power to repulse the enemy. - -'From what you say, Carlo,' said Don Alvarez, 'the buccaneers cannot be -here till the afternoon, for the roads hither from the bay are almost -impassable since the rain. That will give us some few hours before -sunset to rout them. I doubt much if there will be any left. For my -part, I call it a most impudent assault; but I shall use every -precaution, and not fall into the error of my poor brother-in-law; for, -in truth, to parley with such fellows is to disgrace the Spanish flag.' - -Carlo retired to rest, kindly tended by his aunt, who rubbed sweet -ointments into his blistered hands and provided him with clean linen and -a new doublet of sturdy buff; for, in truth, Carlo was hardly -recognisable after all he had gone through, and his clothes were much -torn and soiled. - -'God has indeed taken care of you, my brave Carlo; you have the true -Alvarez blood in your veins. Your uncle will not forget your brave -conduct; and directly we are delivered from these men, he will go over -to St. Catherine with sufficient force to restore order and to give back -the island to its proper masters. My heart grieves sore for my poor -little Felipa.' - -'They will indeed be glad to see him, and you too, Aunt Elena; but -Felipa and the English Etta have been civilly treated. Only, it seems -to me that these pirates think that so long as they have enough to eat -it does not matter if others starve. If it had not been for Harry -Fenn--him I told you of--the girls would have fared badly enough. But I -am as sleepy as a porpoise. Do not forget to wake me early, and you -will see how I will fight these jailors of mine, and pay them back their -cudgelling with interest.' - - - - - CHAPTER XIV. - - DEFENCE TILL DEATH. - - -It was two o'clock before the look-out from the castle discerned the -approach of the pirates, and then all was activity. Carlo, having no -fears, and being, besides, well rested and fed, was all eagerness for -the first encounter. But Dona Elena had asked him to accompany her into -the church built within the palisade; and there, kneeling down, both -begged for a blessing on the Spanish arms. Carlo thought too of his own -desolate home, and this rather calmed his spirits. He wondered much -what had become of Harry Fenn, and whether he had been left behind or -forced to march to the attack. On the face of it, nothing could have -been more foolhardy than this expedition; and so thought the pirates -themselves as they at last, after a dreadful journey through mire and -mud, came in sight of the strongly fortified castle. Many a stout heart -wished at that moment that the owner thereof had not been quite so -clamorous in insisting on being chosen as one of the storming party; but -no one dared to put these thoughts into words, for to turn tail now and -receive the gibes and scorn of those they had left behind was not to be -thought of for a moment. They were now in an open space at the foot of -Chagres. The enemy at once opened fire upon them with more or less -effect, and to pause at that moment was only to get into greater danger, -so, without waiting for rest, they daringly began to ascend the hill in -order, if possible, to get close up to the walls. But though there was -no lack of pluck, the danger was too great, the task impossible; and so -they reluctantly beat a retreat, followed by shouts of joy and derision -from the walls of the castle, and many uncomplimentary titles, 'English -dogs' and 'Enemies of God and our King' being the mildest. - -Within the castle precincts, Don Alvarez was here, there, and -everywhere; and though Carlo was not allowed to go into the most -dangerous places for fear of some stray shot or arrow, he was, however, -ready for every opening which promised a source of honour. He loaded -muskets, carried ammunition, dashed water over the heated gun-barrels, -and made himself very useful. - -'They are repulsed!' rang through the castle as the men so long on watch -now bethought themselves of their supper; and the women, coming out of -the church, where they had been placed for safety, were soon busy -serving the heroes. Carlo's bright eyes were sparkling with eagerness; -he felt that he was serving under a brave, honourable man who would die -rather than give in, and that he was wiping out his own disgrace. - -But after sunset it appeared evident that the dauntless spirits of the -buccaneers were not yet crushed, and that they meant to try again. The -small army advanced in a compact square, the foremost line carrying -fire-balls to throw at the palisades. Up they dashed, heedless of shots -and arrows, which had fatal effect in thinning the ranks; but at first -the assailants were quite impotent to effect any harm. The walls were -well manned, and it was difficult to get near enough to throw in the -fire-balls. - -Again there was a thought of retreat, when a curious accident caused the -fight to be no longer advantageous only on one side. One of the pirates -was wounded with an arrow, which, striking him in the back, pierced his -body to the other side. With Spartan fortitude the man pulled it out, -and, taking a little cotton, he wound it round the arrow, and, putting -it in his musket, shot it back into the castle. This caused one of the -smaller houses within the precincts to catch fire, which, being thatched -with palm-leaves, easily ignited; and so eager was the fight that this -was not at once perceived, till suddenly the flame shot upwards, sending -a dull, lurid glow over the combatants. - -Unfortunately, the house was not far from the powder-magazine, and a -smoking leaf was carried by the night wind towards this spot. In a few -moments more both the besieged and besiegers paused in their work, for -with a noise of terrific explosion the powder-magazine blew up, -scattering destruction within the walls, and, what was even worse, -shattering a large portion of the bank which protected the palisade. - -At this moment Carlo, who had been engaged in reloading a number of -muskets, saw a sight which made him turn sick with fear. The fire was -gaining ground; the flames, like hungry furies, appeared to leap from -stake to stake of the strong palisade, and, further loosening the earth -round the breaches made by the explosion, allowed great masses of earth -to topple over into the ditch. - -'Put out the fire! fetch water! hoist the bucket from the well!' shouted -Don Alvarez, frantically rushing from post to post. 'Keep up your -spirits, my men; don't fall back; hurl the first pirate who scales the -ditch headlong down the cliff!' - -These and many like orders were passed on; but from below came a -desperate cheer from the pirates, who saw how the fire had done the -hardest part of the work for them, and with renewed courage dashed once -more forward. - -It was, indeed, a terrible sight; the fire that raged round the palisade -was awful in its effects. The Spanish soldiers on one side struggled -bravely to stand to their posts; while the pirates, still more -determined, crawled along over the scorching earth, or literally ran the -gauntlet of the fire, in order to pass into the enclosure; and a shout -of triumph here and there told plainly where they had succeeded. - -On his side, Don Alvarez worked wonders. He never flinched from his -duty, and seemed not to notice any personal danger; but when daylight -came the situation looked most depressing. Yet nothing could make him -give the order to forsake the various posts where the soldiers were -stationed. - -Carlo saw now that most likely the pirates would conquer, and he could -have cried with shame and vexation. What should he say after all his -boasting? But one look at his uncle's stern, noble face made him toil -on at his work without pausing to think, till at last he was aware of an -unusual disturbance on the opposite side of the castle, a deafening -shout, and a furious firing. At this moment Don Alvarez reappeared at -his side. - -'Carlo, here boy, quick: there is not a moment to spare. Take this -note, climb down by the rock stairs, and deliver it safely to Don -Meliros, the officer at the entrance fort--him you saw yesterday. If we -are undone, don't let him waste any more precious lives. It is my duty -to hold out till death, but his to save his garrison. Do you hear, boy? -And, if you see him again, bid good-bye to your father. Tell him--nay, -nothing more. But listen, Carlo: there is much danger in carrying this -message, my boy; but do it fearlessly: it may prevent greater -misfortunes for thee at least.' - -Carlo did not hesitate a moment. - -'Trust me, uncle: I will be as quick as possible, and come back to your -side. Where shall I find you?' - -'In the Corps du Garde, boy. Good heavens! the men on the north are -giving way; that is our only strong point. Quick, boy: don't linger a -moment!' - -Don Alvarez hurried away, and Carlo ran straight for the church, which -still remained untouched by the fire, and where the women and children -were huddled together repeating a Litany aloud, not at all realising how -great was their danger. Carlo knew that behind the church there was a -piece of wall which he could scale, and which was not yet guarded by the -pirates, all of whom were now concentrating their forces on the opposite -side. From this spot Carlo could climb round the parapet, and reach the -rocky stairs with his precious missive. - -Being over-eager, however, Carlo found his task more difficult than he -had expected; in his case haste made waste, for twice he fell back, and -twice, being undaunted, he tried again. He heard a deafening shout -behind him; alas! Carlo knew it was not the Spanish war-cry, and at -last, in desperation, he made a final effort to lower himself to a ledge -below without losing his balance, which would have caused him to be -hurled down the face of the cliff; then, clinging like a goat, he crept -along till he reached the stairs. - -At this moment, when, feeling that he had already wasted much precious -time, he was about to hurry down, a familiar voice close behind called -him by name. - -'Senor Carlo, wait a moment. How I have looked for you!' And then -Harry Fenn, with greater skill than Carlo deemed possible, scrambled -down from a point above him, and having joined him whispered anxiously, -seizing him by the arm-- - -'Now, Senor, don't waste a moment: it is your only chance of safety. -They know you have been fighting, and the castle and all the ammunition -are now in the hands of the pirates.' - -Carlo said nothing till both had reached the bottom; then, showing Harry -his letter, he said his uncle had bade him deliver it. Before reaching -the fort, however, they both saw that any message was now useless, for -the Spaniards were already scrambling for the boats in order to fly up -the river into the interior. - -'Then I must return to my uncle, Harry,' said Carlo. 'I promised to go -to the Corps du Garde after I had given up my letter; but do not wait -for me, for now is your chance of escape.' - -'He does not want you now, Senor Carlo: he died at his post as a brave -soldier should. I will tell you about it presently, for now we have not -a moment to waste: if you are found, or indeed if I am found helping -you, we shall both be shot without more ado, for the men are in wild -excitement.' - -Carlo was speechless. The whole events of the last twelve hours seemed -too terrible to believe, and he followed Harry in total silence. The -latter, having now reached the bank of the river, was looking eagerly -about for a boat. - -'Where can we go if you find a boat?' said Carlo at last very sadly. -'It would be better for me to stay and die with my uncle.' - -'No; indeed, I am sure he meant you to be saved by his sending you down -here; he must have known when he did so that all was lost, and the -letter to the officer was an excuse to induce you to leave him.' - -'But my Aunt Elena--what will become of her? Alack! Heaven is -altogether against us!' - -'Do not distress yourself about her: she is of too great importance to -come to any harm; they will make her pay a heavy ransom--and, anyhow, -they will treat her well till Captain Morgan comes. Look, Senor, there -is a small boat with one Indian in it. Have you any gold about you? We -might perhaps bribe him.' - -But Carlo was penniless; only, being able to make himself understood, he -began trying to strike a bargain for the canoe, which appeared now their -only chance of safety. - -The fort was quite evacuated, and so terrified were the Spaniards now -escaping up the river, that, in spite of signals from Carlo, not one -would return. So, after some delay, during which Harry became every -minute more impatient, knowing how great the danger was, the boys -squeezed themselves into the small canoe, and, crouching down, bade the -Indian paddle out to sea. - -For a long time Carlo lay there too much distressed to speak; but -happily Harry had all his senses about him, and had seized a pair of -small oars left behind by the fugitives. Very soon he noticed that they -had drifted too near the pirate ships, and that they were discovered, -for Harry's keen eyes at once noticed a slight stir on board. - -'Senor Carlo, get up and row: we must make the best of our way towards -St. Catherine, if we cannot get up greater speed than this we may be -lost.' And Carlo, thinking of his father and sister and his home, at -last roused himself and rowed with a will. - -'But what is the use of our getting back to St. Catherine?' he said; -'Captain Morgan will not be more lenient to me than his men would have -been.' - -'He will come off at once on hearing of this victory, I am sure, for he -will want his share of the spoil. My hope is that we may escape him in -that way.' - -'But he will never forgive you for helping me,' said poor Carlo, feeling -that he had brought misfortune on the noble English boy, who cared as -much as he did himself for freedom. - -'That is of no consequence--I can risk that; indeed, if he would, he -would never dare forgive me now; his men would not let him. Ah, Senor, -what is the matter? The sun is too powerful; and indeed you have gone -through enough to make you feel ill.' - -'Nay, I will not give way,' said Carlo; but he felt so sick and giddy, -that in a few moments he had to give up his oar and lie down in the -boat; whilst Harry, seeing now that all danger from the pirate boats was -over, intimated to the Indian that they must make the best of their way -to St. Catherine. - -Happily the Indian had some bananas and oranges on board which he had -been bringing down to the fort for sale, when the general exodus of the -Spaniards had prevented him landing. This was the only food they had to -depend upon, and the distance was great for such a small craft. But -necessity knows no impossibility, and now Harry felt, for the moment at -least, that he was really free; though he would, on landing, probably -fall again into the hands of his enemies; and if so, then he knew what -he must expect--a death which would most likely be accompanied by -torture. - -'Mr. Aylett would say I had done well,' was his consolation, and Etta -Allison would, perhaps, through his means, also be able to get her -freedom. So, humming one of the old hymns he had sung as a choir-boy at -home, he took courage and determined to reach St. Catherine or die in -the attempt. 'Anyhow, Senor Carlo will be no worse off in dying of -hunger than in dying through torture. They would have been sure to -imagine he knew where Don Alvarez hid his treasure. I am free, free, -and the air seems fresher, and the sea smells sweeter; so, God helping -me, I will save him and myself.' - -Whilst these events were taking place at Chagres the inhabitants of -Santa Teresa were by no means happy. Deprived of even the slight -protection of Harry Fenn, the girls and Catalina found themselves in no -enviable position. After the departure of the expedition, Captain -Morgan determined to settle as far as possible the affairs of the -island, so that directly he should hear of the success or failure of the -enterprise against Chagres Castle he should be free to go about other -business. If the attack failed he must again unite his fleet--for the -greater number of ships were in the bay--and take counsel with his chief -officers; but if it succeeded, then all hands and all heads would be -needed for the attack on Panama, which was, in truth, the height of -their ambition. For these reasons Captain Morgan still made Santa -Teresa his headquarters, but was full of occupation elsewhere; and, to -make the poor Don Estevan del Campo's task harder, he required his daily -attendance upon him. The Captain was bent on demolishing all the strong -castles of St. Catherine, meaning to leave only Santa Teresa standing -for his own future use. He thus made Don Estevan assist at this -wholesale destruction, treating him outwardly with consideration, but -implying that the Spaniard was himself glad to help in the destruction -of the forts it had been his duty to look after. The Marquis suffered -much more torment than if he had died as a soldier, and every day he -became more gloomy, more miserable, and so curious in his behaviour that -many said he must be losing his mind, and shunned him accordingly. He -was, in fact, tormented with terrible regrets, and these were ten-fold -increased when he heard that his son had been sent with the expedition -against his brother-in-law. To make things worse, Captain Morgan had -forbidden the Marquis to enter Santa Teresa, saying that it would be too -severe a tax on the loyalty of the Indians and the negroes, who, for -convenience' sake, were kept in their old places; but in truth it was to -make the Marquis feel he was in reality now simply a prisoner and -nothing more. So he lodged at St. Jerome, and was narrowly watched, for -fear he should take it into his head to escape; and this did not add to -his comfort or his peace of mind. - -Felipa was thus left to the care of old Catalina, and Captain Morgan -troubled himself very little about them, meaning in the near future to -make the Marquis ransom his own child from supposed captivity. - -Though glad enough to be left alone, the trio were yet much puzzled as -to how they were to get enough daily food. Andreas no longer came to -the balcony in answer to Etta's soft whistling, so they concluded that -he must have either escaped or been killed. The guards placed below -were all rough men of various nationalities whom Catalina dared not ask -for food; and she and her charges began to understand that they were as -much prisoners as if they had been in the dungeons below. Catalina had -been able to secrete a small quantity of Indian corn and to bake some -cakes with it; but now this was finished, what was to be done? - -One day, when all the food was gone, Etta, creeping out into the passage -once more to see if Andreas would come or answer her whistling, heard -the loud tones of Captain Morgan giving some order. Forgetting -Catalina's strict injunctions not to go below, forgetting everything but -that Felipa was crying from hunger, and that she herself was only -restrained by her English pride from doing the same, she ran down as -quickly as she could to the hall where some twenty men were tramping -about bringing in the evening meal, and Captain Morgan was listening to -a messenger who had just entered. - -Etta was quite reckless now, even though the men raised a shout at her -appearance, crying out, 'Here comes the little English wench,' and one -said: 'Ay, but she's got bonnie golden hair and looks ready for a -gambol.' But the girl took no heed, and, running up to Captain Morgan, -insisted this time on being heard. - -'Captain Morgan, prithee, will you let us starve up there? We are all -so very, very hungry! It is cruel of you; and meseems it is very unlike -an Englishman to starve his prisoners.' - -The Captain received this burst of eloquence with loud laughter; and, -turning to the messenger, said: - -'Marry! good Smith, do you hear the maid? She says it is not right that -any one should starve in this place; and, by my faith, when you bring me -such good news I think she is right. We will give a feast to-day to -every soul in the castle. But in truth, bold maid, I bade that lame -fellow see after your provender, and now, methinks, he has gone to -Chagres and forgotten all about you. Here, Mings, send up a royal feast -to the fair ladies, and a few bottles of good wine besides to drink our -health in. And mind you, little cinder witch, to tell your Spanish -friends that it is all in honour of the taking of Chagres. By the way, -Smith, what has become of my godson and of the young Spaniard?' - -Etta stood speechless as she heard the terrible news. Where was Carlo, -and what would he do? - -'By my troth, Captain, I know only that neither of them has been seen -since the taking of the castle; so either they were killed in the -skirmish or they have hidden themselves somewhere.' - -Captain Morgan frowned. - -'Brodely will have to answer for the safety of both lads. If they have -escaped we shall soon catch them, and then---- And how many men did we -lose? I would such valiant fellows were cudgel-proof.' - -'A hundred bodies were counted before I left; and as to the wounded, -that will add another seventy; but we have taken much rich stuff, and -ammunition enough to serve for our next expedition, not to mention Don -Alvarez's lady, whose ransom will be a fortune.' - -'That will be my affair,' said the Captain grandly. 'Will they send the -prisoners here at once?' - -Etta waited to hear no more; but though her expedition had procured them -a dinner such as they had not enjoyed for a long time, yet they could -not help shedding many tears over it. Their grand hopes as to Don -Alvarez were crushed; and, worse still, what had become of Carlo? Not a -ray of hope seemed now left to them. - - - - - CHAPTER XV. - - IN THE WOODS. - - -But as when the night is darkest the dawn is near at hand, so the -sorrowful prisoners were not left altogether without comfort for long, -even though this comfort was in itself a sad one. One evening, three -days after Etta had heard the news in the hall, Felipa lay wearily on -the couch beside the open window, vainly longing to get out and breathe -the pure air in what had once been her lovely garden, but which was now -sadly trampled over. - -The poor girl looked much changed, and it was all Catalina and Etta -could do to keep her from spending most of her time in weeping silently. -She would not touch her guitar, and seemed to be fretting her life away. -These three days had also made a great difference in her appearance. -She kept constantly asking where Carlo was, what could have become of -him; and patient Etta, with ready invention, tried to find answers for -her friend which might calm her for a little while. As to Catalina, she -could only moan and bewail their evil fortune, and wish every bad thing -she could imagine to overtake the pirates. - -'If I could but go out,' sighed Felipa, 'I could find Carlo. I am sure -he must be hidden away in the forest. But come quickly, Etta: see, who -is coming in; some of the soldiers? Yes, yes; they are Spanish -soldiers, and they are certainly coming to save us.' - -'Hush, dear Felipa; don't you see that they are themselves guarded? no, -these must be the prisoners from Chagres, and--oh, yes--here are some -women and---- Surely--yes, it is Dona Elena!' - -Felipa clapped her hands for joy, causing the lady to look up; and then -the sight of her aunt's sad face made the girl suddenly draw back. In -truth it was Dona Elena; but how changed she was! The face that looked -out from beneath her black veil was hardly recognisable. - -In spite of this, Felipa was all excitement to know if her aunt would be -allowed to come up to see them. Was she going to be left here, or what? - -These questions were soon answered, for in a few minutes Dona Elena was -escorted to the sitting-room, and Felipa was soon sobbing on the -motherly breast of her aunt, who, sad as she was herself, was shocked at -the change in her little niece, whom she had last seen a merry, blooming -girl running races with Etta and Carlo down the lovely green slopes of -the tropical garden. - -'My poor darling! Ah, what sad troubles we have all been through! I -can hardly believe it even now; but my dear husband died like a brave -soldier. He was so noble, so true! Alas that such as he should be -sacrificed! But as to our poor Carlo, I cannot find out what has become -of him, though I have asked every one I came near. That terrible -Captain has named such a price for my ransom that I must write to Spain -for the money. My poor brother! When last did you see your father, -Felipa? He has not been here, I am told; but they say he is at St. -Jerome.' - -'You will stay with us, will you not, dear Aunt Elena? At least they -will leave us this one comfort of being together. But where is Carlo? -If only we could find out, I should be less unhappy. It is quite true -that our father has not come here for days.' - -Dona Elena now told the party all she knew of Carlo and of his brave -escape from the pirate boats in order to give his uncle warning. So -that even though their talk was not cheerful the presence of the elder -lady was a great comfort to the girls, and also to Catalina, who, good -and faithful as she was, could not think out many difficult problems. - -That evening they had a last visit from Captain Morgan. He had finished -his work of destruction, or had seen it well in train, and was now going -off in great haste to Chagres to see for himself the treasures found -there. - -'Now, Madam,' he said in Spanish to Dona Elena, 'you will stay here and -await my return. I have named the sum that will give you your liberty, -but till every piece of eight is paid you must consider yourself a -prisoner. I am taking your brother Don Estevan del Campo and many of -the people here away with me--for change of air,' he added, laughing, -'but he too will get his liberty when his ransom has been paid. As for -his son, I hear now he escaped as no gentleman ought to do, and so----' - -'Carlo never gave his word,' said Etta, indignantly; 'he told us he felt -free to escape if he could.' - -'Well, well, you are over-bold, mistress, and it cannot be hunger now -that forces you to plain-speaking. Prithee, courageous elf, have they -brought you enough to eat since your foraging expedition?' - -Etta proudly muttered, 'Yes, Sir Captain, I was but defending the -absent.' And evidently Captain Morgan admired her spirit, for he -laughed all the more, as if she had said something very witty. - -'Marry, that may be; but mark you, if you know where the boy is hiding, -tell him that every avenue of the castle will be watched during my -absence, and none will enter or go forth from this island without the -knowledge of my trusty men. My boy, young Harry Fenn, has disappeared, -and yet I treated the lad as kindly as if he had been my own son; and, -in faith, when they are found they will be taught to make less free use -of their young legs. I beg to take my leave of you, ladies, and I have -left orders for a good supply of food to be brought; but it were best to -keep indoors, as I cannot answer for accidents. Some of my men are but -foolish rangers, and know nothing of good manners beyond such as Dame -Nature taught 'em.' - -'But prithee, Sir Captain, let me say good-bye to my father,' cried -Felipa; and Dona Elena joined in the petition, adding rather bitterly-- - -'My poor brother will long ago have found how wrong he was to trust you, -bold Captain, and if you are taking him prisoner, at least let him bid -farewell to his sister and his child.' - -The Captain had no time, however, to waste on farewells; he declared -this boon was impossible to grant, as the Marquis had already been rowed -out to the ship; but he assured the ladies that he hoped soon to be -back, and that then they should hear great news. With this he went away -as hastily as he had come, and the only comfort that could be extracted -from this visit was the pleasure of seeing the Captain hurry forth from -the great gate of Santa Teresa. - -Catalina's muttered farewell did not seem like blessings; but, though -the chief was gone, there were yet many jailors left behind. The guards -were doubled without, although so few were now left within the walls, -every man that could be spared having been taken off to join the great -and long-planned expedition to Panama. The Captain had considered that -a score of men would be well able to guard two women and two girls. He -was, however, more vexed than he cared to show at the disappearance of -Carlo and Harry, and meant to make Captain Brodely pay dearly for his -carelessness; even such a powerful man as the great buccaneer was not -without his share of troubles, for it was only by keeping his men -constantly employed in plunder or adventure that he could prevent mutiny -and discontent. - -The sitting-room and the other rooms on the same floor were left to the -ladies, the prisoners having been all taken elsewhere; so that Etta, -utterly tired of the confinement of the two rooms, often crept out to -the window above the balcony, where she could catch a sight of the bay, -and from whence she saw the departure of the fleet. Every time she went -she softly whistled the Indian notes, especially just before sundown, -hoping to see Andreas. - -To-day, just as the last sound died away among the great rose bushes, -Etta fancied she heard a very faint echo of her last note. She paused, -straining her ears, then repeated the air again. There was the same -echo. Surely it was, it must be, Andreas! She determined to return -after sunset, but till then she would not mention her ideas, for fear of -having been mistaken. - -Catalina was happier now that she was allowed the wherewithal to cook -her meals, and she was never weary of trying to concoct some new dish -out of the ordinary fare provided, in order to tempt poor Felipa, whose -appetite was failing, though she had revived much since her aunt's -arrival. - -Etta had been right. Soon after darkness had fallen, suddenly, on the -lovely landscape, she heard the faint rustle of leaves below, and -Andreas crept on to the balcony, looking somewhat like a brown snake. - -'Senorita, Heaven be praised that you have come! I wanted to tell you -the news. The noble Senor Carlo is here in St. Catherine--he and the -young Englishman who came with the pirates.' - -Etta hardly stifled a cry of joy. - -'Where are they? Quick, tell me, Andreas! But do they know the castle -is watched, and that they will be taken if they are found?' - -'Yes, yes, but the Senor Carlo cannot come--in fact he is ill, very ill, -Senorita; he has the fever. But we will cure him; the white man does -not know the medicines the Indians use for the fever--these never fail.' - -'But how did they come here?' - -'I know not much of the story, for the English Senor cannot talk much -Spanish, but they came by night; there was an Indian with them, or they -would have been seen, but the Indians can see in the dark.' - -'How glad I am, dear Andreas! Do you want food, and where have you been -all this time? I have been here so often hoping you would come.' - -'The English captain sent me to fetch horses and cattle. He watched me -so that I could not come; but now they forget to keep watch. I will -come again to-morrow, Senorita, at sunset. If the noble Senor Carlo -gets better quickly, well; if not, then he must come into the castle.' - -'That would be impossible, Andreas,' said Etta; but Andreas smiled as he -disappeared into the darkness. - -'But what is the use?' said Felipa, when she heard the wonderful news of -her brother's return. 'Carlo will die if he has only an Indian to nurse -him; and if he gets well Captain Morgan will come and take him -prisoner.' - -'That is not trusting the good God, Felipa darling,' said the noble Dona -Elena. 'He will save our dear Carlo if he sees fit. Since my great -trouble I have learnt more than ever to be resigned, and also to trust -Him. Let us get a little bundle of linen ready, Catalina, to send it to -Carlo by Andreas. Wherever they are, poor fellows, they will need that; -and then let us hope for the best; we can do no more for them.' - -The next evening Dona Elena accompanied Etta to the balcony; and when -Andreas understood whom she was he explained that Carlo was better, but -still very ill, and that the English Senorito was very anxious to get -him removed to the castle, for they were in the thickest part of the -forest, in a deserted Indian hut, and they had not enough good things -for the sick Carlo. - -'If you could hide him I could bring him here to-morrow, noble lady: the -guards watch the wrong places, and now that the whip is not visible the -dogs keep but bad guard.' - -'We must chance it,' said Dona Elena, decidedly; 'my poor Carlo must not -die. We are never visited, except twice a day--certainly never after -sunset, for the soldiers are afraid of this half-deserted house. They -fancy it is haunted.' - -The two then went back to tell Catalina and Felipa the joyful news that -Carlo was better and would come to them to be nursed. Then they -discussed plans, and at last settled that they would put some blankets -in the cupboard and only bring him out when the visits of the soldiers -and the negroes were over. - -'If we must soon be separated, at least let us enjoy each other's -company as long as possible,' said the brave Spanish lady; and Felipa -looked up brightly and smiled more happily than she had done since her -imprisonment. - - - - - CHAPTER XVI. - - WAITING FOR LUCK. - - -Without Andreas Carlo never could have been carried safely into Santa -Teresa; but the faithful Indian was wonderfully clever in warding off -detection. The dogs had a harmless powder given to them, which stupefied -them for the time being, and, the night being very dark, with Harry's -help Carlo was lifted bodily on to the balcony and then carried to the -ladies' room. Here kind, tender hands were ready with as many -alleviations as were at their disposal. - -The soldiers were busy drinking and gambling below in the hall, and -never imagined what was going on above, the evening visit of inspection -having been paid. Carlo seemed to recognise his friends as Harry and -Andreas laid him gently on the mattress, for he smiled and began to say -something; but the effort caused him to become light-headed again, and -Catalina and Dona Elena made every one leave the patient to their -nursing. Etta had a great deal to say to Harry; she wanted to hear how -he had been able to save Carlo from the clutches of the pirates, and how -they had managed to land. - -'I can hardly understand myself how it was,' said Harry, simply. 'We -nearly died of thirst, and had it not been for the Indian we could never -have reached this place alive. Senor Carlo was often light-headed, and -fancied he was still at Chagres, trying to repulse the attack, and I -could only make the Indian understand me by signs. It was not easy to -tell him that we must not land by daylight, and that our enemies would -pounce upon us if they caught us, but that we had friends if only we -could reach them. Luckily we did manage it, and the first person who -discovered us was this faithful Andreas, and after that you should have -heard how the two Indians did discuss us! We have hidden the canoe and -the Indian, for I was obliged to defer the promised reward till we had -seen you, Senorita.' - -'My father hid a great deal of treasure in the woods,' said Felipa, 'so -we can easily pay the Indian. Andreas knows the hiding-place, for my -father recognised how trustworthy he is.' Felipa soon explained to -Andreas how much of the money he was to get; only, great precautions -must be taken so as not to be seen or followed by the dogs, which the -English pirates would most likely set on the track if they had the least -suspicion of hidden treasure. - -'But you, Harry, what can you do?' asked Etta, who did indeed feel proud -of her countryman, for she guessed that, though he made light of his -adventures, he had gone through much suffering for the sake of a -stranger. - -'I mean to hide in these woods till I get a chance of escaping; after -what has happened I can never go back to Captain Morgan. Andreas is so -grateful for what I have been able to do for the Senor Carlo that he -says I may stay in the hut. If a ship were to touch here, I would work -my passage back to Europe; but that _if_ is doubtful, Mistress Etta.' - -'But you will take me too if the Captain will let me come on board?' -asked Etta. 'Now Felipa has her aunt she would let me go back to my own -country, for the pirates have taken the Marquis, and so I need not ask -him. In England, I shall never again be in dire terror of my life.' - -Harry did not like to explain to the eager girl that there was but -little probability of his being able to take her on board. The idea was -so delightful to Etta that she hardly knew how to contain her joy. - -'And you will see your home again, and your father and mother; and you -will ask them to let me stay with them till I hear from my uncle. Mr. -Aylett will write for me--I seem to know him already from all you have -said of him.' - -Harry took a small prayer-book from his pocket. - -'Look, Mistress Etta: this book has often reminded me of my dear master; -I have had it with me all the time. I happened to have it with me on -the evening when I was taken prisoner--I was to learn the Gospel for the -next Sunday to repeat to Mr. Aylett. I little thought then how precious -the book would appear to me. Do you ever read the Psalms of David and -the Gospels, Mistress Etta?' - -Etta shook her head. - -'On Sundays I go to church with Felipa; I once told the Padre I was no -Papist, but he said I had better pray to God with Felipa, and that in -time I should be shown the right way. Then I cannot read English very -easily, for we have no English books here, only I read the precious -letters left me by my mother, till I know them all by heart. In truth I -will never be a Papist, nor forget that I am English.' - -Etta turned over the leaves of Harry's book with great care and -admiration, whilst he read over the collect to her which began 'Lord of -all power and might,' which Etta, much delighted, said she could -remember. - -'Without this I should sometimes have forgotten when Sunday came round,' -added Harry, smiling; 'for Captain Morgan's men made but little -difference between week-days or the Lord's Day, save now and then they -had extra rations and more spirits. Good-night, Mistress Etta. I see -Andreas wishes me to go with him, but I will come again to unloose my -tongue, as my speech will be limited in the woods, and mayhap I shall -turn into a wild man such as our sailors speak of; but Andreas says he -will teach me how to shoot with poisonous arrows.' - -From this time there was much less dulness up in the dwelling-room at -Santa Teresa, and if they might have gone out, the girls would not have -been very unhappy, except as to Carlo's state of health. For many days -he hovered between life and death, and Etta had to act as sentinel, -being most quick at hearing the distant steps of the soldier who brought -them their daily portion of food. There was no more starvation now, the -point being to keep the prisoners in good health; for death would have -deprived their jailors of the much-expected ransoms. - -How eagerly every morning the little party inquired for news, which the -soldier was not loth to give! Captain Morgan was on his way to Panama; -he had twelve hundred men with him; they had scarce victuals, and had -sent back a boat to St. Catherine for more maize and Indian corn; the -men were only allowed one pipe of tobacco; the Captain was determined to -take the town, but he was in sore straits about victuals; they must -conquer or starve; and so on. - -The little party hoped much that the pirates never would reach Panama, -and that other misfortunes might befal them; only, not knowing if the -Marquis were with them, it was difficult to wish they might all die of -hunger. - -In the evening Harry would come and amuse Carlo, for as the days passed -slowly on the boy gradually began to mend. He would tell him of his -hunting with Andreas, and how sometimes they had near escapes of being -discovered; but that the men left behind had enough to do to guard the -few fortresses remaining, and thought, besides, more about watching the -bays for possible enemies than of hunting the forest. One day the Dona -Elena herself asked Harry to tell her all he knew of her brave husband's -last hours, and he recounted simply what he had seen. Carlo was sitting -up, propped with pillows, looking pale, but far different from what he -had been a fortnight before; and he joined in the request, saying: - -'When I last saw my dear uncle he was just starting to help some twenty -men who were defending an important post.' - -'Yes, and that was where I saw him,' added Harry. 'I was bent on -gaining an entrance into the castle, so that I might, if possible, save -you and your uncle. I had tried to pass over some portions of burning -wall, for I had seen the pirates rush through, regardless of the danger; -but though I tried twice, the flames drove me back each time; so, at -last, climbing along the side of the mountain, I caught sight of the men -making a dash for this special breach. I could not help admiring their -pluck, though the cause was bad enough. I came up just as they carried -the position, in spite of the fierce resistance they met. Following -them through the breach, I saw that this last effort would most likely -end in the capture of the castle; for I noticed several Spanish soldiers -throw themselves over the parapet rather than fall into the pirates' -hands alive. They would not ask for quarter--indeed, it would not have -been granted. Just then I met a fellow who was badly wounded, and I -asked him if he knew whether the Governor were taken, or what had become -of him. This man told me Don Alvarez had retired to the Corps-du-Garde, -and was defending it like a lion. So, never thinking of danger, I -hastened in the direction to which he pointed, and beheld a scene I -shall never forget. Don Alvarez was standing at the head of a flight of -steps, and round him and below him were some thirty men. The pirates -had double the number of men, and saw it was only a question of time, -and that a short one. I was looking everywhere for you, Senor Carlo, -and, not seeing you, I was just going to hurry away, when I heard a -sharp report, and then a yell of anger; and, looking back, I saw the -noble Don Alvarez fall forward, struck through the heart with a -musket-shot. I knew that I had not then a moment to lose; and, meeting -a fugitive Spaniard, I asked him to tell me where the young nephew of -the Governor had last been seen, for I was none of the enemy. He hardly -believed me; but pointed to some spot behind the church; and the rest -you know, Senor Carlo.' - -'If it had not been for you, Harry Fenn, I must have been caught at -last, or else died of that fever. I wish my uncle had lived to hear of -it and to reward you, but when my----' Poor Carlo paused; he, could not -appeal to his father, for all that history was one he could not bear to -think about; so he added, 'When I am a man I will give you whatever you -like to ask of me.' - -'There is nothing to thank me for,' said Harry, laughing; 'in running -away with you I was but doing what I had planned for a long time. You -see, I promised Mistress Etta to help her back to her own country; and -to do that I must e'en get back first myself.' - -'And you, Aunt Elena,' said Felipa, 'shall you really have to pay the -large ransom? It does seem hard to be deprived of one's home and then -have to pay the wicked men who have made one unhappy and miserable.' - -'We must not complain, Felipa, for nothing would be allowed to happen -unless God saw that it was for our good. If I could have seen my poor -brother I should have taken counsel with him; but I must resign myself -to a long captivity till the money can come from Spain.' - -'Then why should you not go and fetch it yourself, noble lady?' said -Harry. 'If I were you, I would not stay here longer than I could help; -for if Captain Morgan were killed the pirates might choose another -captain who would not treat you as civilly as he does.' - -'But there is little chance of one of our ships being able to come into -port here,' said Carlo. 'Andreas told me that the bays were very closely -watched.' - -'What I most fear is the return of the victorious pirates,' said Harry, -thoughtfully. 'If we hear news of the taking of the city of Panama, I -think we must try and escape, or at all events get to some Spanish -settlement whence they will send us on.' - -So they talked and planned, but could do nothing at present except wait -patiently, Harry promising to keep a sharp look-out for any ship flying -the Spanish colours, adding: - -'I fancy the Captain will certainly take the rich city if it is at all -possible, and after seeing the attack on Chagres I can believe these -bold men capable of taking even a large place, especially when driven to -great straits by hunger. I was by when the Captain made all his men -sign the articles of common agreement between them, and in that they -bound themselves to obey him and to do their utmost to carry out all his -plans.' - -'The selfish robbers!' cried Catalina, indignantly. 'Heard you anything -else of importance, young Englishman?' - -'But very little,' answered Harry, rubbing his forehead and trying to -recall what had passed on the pirate vessel. 'Every captain was to have -the share of eight men; the surgeon, besides his pay, was to have two -hundred pieces of eight for his chest of medicaments, and other officers -in some such-like proportion. But I remember that for the loss of both -legs in battle the unfortunate buccaneer was to receive fifteen hundred -pieces of eight, and he was to get still more for the loss of both -hands.' - -'All these ravages should be put an end to by the sovereigns who own -these people. All nations of Europe have joined in it; and it is high -time it were stopped,' said Dona Elena Alvarez. 'But now, kind Harry, -it is time you went away, for Carlo is tired and must go to bed.' - -'It is so dark to-night that I wonder how you will find your way to the -hut,' said Etta. - -'I have been making a store of candles from the Bois-de-Chandel. -Andreas showed me how the Indians prepare it. Truly, how my parents -would laugh to see me in an Indian hut! But I have to be careful of -shading my light, for Andreas says we must not trust the negroes, and -they often wander at night when the fancy seizes them.' - -With this Harry slipped away; and Etta went with him so as to close the -window and secure it when he had let himself down from the balcony. - - - - - CHAPTER XVII. - - DISCOVERED. - - -At last, after what seemed to him a long, weary time, Carlo began to -feel stronger, so that the difficulty to conceal him became much -greater, the high-spirited boy finding confinement quite unbearable. -His aunt and Catalina now suffered much anxiety on account of his -rashness, and as contact with danger soon makes people forget it Carlo -would often slip out even before sunset and go off to the woods to find -Harry. He used to get over at the old spot, which was not now guarded, -and then, following the Indian trail, he and Harry managed to amuse -themselves in the woods. True, he would slip back again, looking more -rosy and more cheerful; but Catalina was always saying that some day the -rash boy would repent of his want of prudence. As it was, if it had not -been for the vigilance of Andreas even the lazy guards must have had -their suspicions aroused. One day Andreas arrived at the Indian hut -just as the two, who were now fast friends, were preparing their arrows -to go hunting for pigeons, which Carlo took home to Catalina to cook so -as to make a change in their bill of fare. - -'There you are, Andreas! You are just in time to go with us,' exclaimed -Carlo. - -'No, Senor, I must be back at the compound in half an hour; but I have -just heard much news, and I came to tell you. The Frenchman Simon has -just landed, and brings tidings from Chagres, where men have arrived -telling of the taking of Panama. The Frenchman has brought several -officers with him who were wounded, but are now better; and I fear these -guards will have their eyes opened wider than the men now in charge.' - -'Have they really taken Panama?' exclaimed Harry and Carlo; and the -latter added, 'That is indeed a feat I had not expected--though you did, -Harry. But did you hear any particulars, Andreas?' - -'They are very full of all sorts of stories, but I fancy they are not -all true--how in one place they boiled leathern bags to eat and were at -death's door for want of food. After ten days of incredible hardships -they came in sight of the city, and there they engaged in very severe -fighting. But the terror of their name did more for them than even -their valour, for they were but a handful compared with the Spaniards.' - -'But what of the poor city?' said Harry, when Carlo had translated the -news to him. - -'The city was set fire to, which must have been a great and sad sight. -I was once there--when Padre Pietro took me as a boy--and I saw the -great merchants' houses, those belonging to the Genoese being the -finest; and as for the convents and the private dwellings, the -churches--ah, they could not be numbered.' - -'But the pirates will have enough gold and to spare,' said Carlo; -'perhaps they will now let my father go free.' - -'The thirst for gold seems never satisfied,' answered Harry, 'and the -worst is when they divide the spoil; there is a great deal of -quarrelling over it, and I have seen them fight to the death over a few -pieces of eight.' - -'The Frenchman Simon declares that they have taken a great deal of gold -and many slaves, and that when the Captain has settled everything he -will return here and make it so strong that no enemy will ever be able -to retake it. The orders are that the work is to begin at once, and -that the ladies are to be taken great care of, as he will settle the -final ransom when he comes back. That makes me tremble for your safety, -Senorito; it would, perhaps, be more prudent to hide in the secret -passage.' - -'Then I may as well be taken by the pirates, Andreas. I was stifled -before in that odious hole. No, no; let me keep my liberty as long as I -can. I promise I will keep a sharp look-out for this Simon. Now let us -have a little fun; we try so hard to shoot the arrows as you do, -Andreas, but we have had as yet but poor success.' - -'The Senorito was not born an Indian,' said Andreas, a little sadly. -'Before the white man came all these forests were our hunting-grounds; -but there came good as well as evil with the strangers.' Then after a -pause he added: - -'If you will follow me I can show you a spot that few know how to -reach.' - -The boys were only too glad to comply, and Andreas took out of a -hiding-place in the hut a curious blow-pipe, which was a reed from ten -to eleven feet in length. - -'You will take my bow, Senor, and we shall see who will shoot the -farthest.' - -Harry examined this new kind of weapon with great curiosity. There was -no appearance of knot or joint in it; only the end which was to be -applied to the mouth was tied round with small silk grass cord. The -arrows which Andreas next produced for his blow-pipe were nine or ten -inches long, made out of the leaf of a palm-tree, and as sharp as a -needle. - -'An inch of the pointed end is poisoned, whilst the opposite end is -burned to make it hard,' said Andreas, exhibiting these beautifully made -arrows; 'and this white stuff is the wild cotton. See, this quiver will -hold five hundred such. Now come, but you must tread softly as a cat.' - -He led through an intricate path in the midst of the dense forest. -Harry would never have expected to find any human being able to thread -through such a tangled mass; but Carlo knew what were the powers of -Andreas in this respect. Then suddenly the Indian stopped; he looked up -into the tall branches above him, and, putting his blow-pipe to his -mouth, he collected his breath for the fatal puff. Two feet from the -end of the tube two teeth of the acouri were fastened, and these served -Andreas for a sight. As Andreas lifted the pipe the boys waited in -breathless silence; then, suddenly and swiftly, the arrow flew -unerringly upwards. Had it missed? Harry thought so at first; but no: -there was a flutter, and then a pajui, an excellent game-bird, came -falling heavily to the ground. - -'Capital!' cried Harry; 'I don't believe I could do that.' He was going -to pick up the bird, but Andreas stopped him, and Carlo cried out: - -'Take care, Harry. Andreas will know how to handle the bird; you might -touch the poisoned point. This wourali is such a strange thing, though -it does not hurt the flesh of the bird in the least.' - -Andreas smiled to see Harry's astonishment, and, handing him the -blow-pipe, told him to try what he could do, as he himself had to return -to the compound; but, as can be easily imagined, Harry's breath was not -equal to sending an arrow three hundred feet into the air; he would -require many years of practice before he could rival the Indian's -dexterity. - -After much excitement the two returned to the hut, Carlo thinking it -safer to stay some time in the wood after nightfall to make sure the -coast would be clear before his return to Santa Teresa. - -By the light of their one candle the young Spaniard usually gave Harry -lessons in Spanish out of a book he had brought from the castle; and -Harry, having heard a great deal of that tongue spoken by the pirates, -was an apt pupil. After the lesson they fell to talking about the -chances Harry had of finding an English ship, and Carlo a Spanish one. -Certainly the effort ought to be made before the chance of Captain -Morgan's return; but how was it to be done? For Andreas' canoe was too -slight to trust on the sea, and was, moreover, much in need of repair. -This evening after their discussion Carlo added: - -'I have been talking to Andreas about the caves which lie on the bigger -island; but how are we to get the girls and my aunt to them, not to -mention dear old Catalina, whom we could not leave behind? The bridge is -well guarded, and we have no boat to go by water; besides, we should be -sure to be taken by one of the pirate ships. Whichever way I look, -escape seems impossible. Then, too, the thought of my father makes me -sad; he has suffered so much that I cannot feel angry with him now as I -did at first.' - -'Never say die, Senor; that is English advice, and it serves the purpose -of making one feel ashamed of giving way to despair. I know there is -little chance for any of us, and yet I do go on hoping still. God has -allowed me to escape so far, and I mean to keep up a brave heart. At -night I dream of my home, and actually the other evening I woke up -telling my father about the capture of Chagres Castle. I was deeply -disappointed to find myself alone in this hut, I assure you. But -prithee, Senor Carlo, it is time you returned; the Senora will be -anxious about you, and will fancy you are in danger of new horrors.' - -Carlo agreed, though he was sorry to leave Harry in such uncomfortable -quarters; but the latter answered, laughing: - -'I am hardy by nature, and I have learnt now to be able to sleep on any -bed, even Mother Earth's hardest mattress; and besides, Senor Carlo, I -feel more secure here than if I were in your gruesome hole in the -castle. Give my duty to my countrywoman, and tell her I am carving her -a whistle to wear at her girdle when she is once more free to flit -hither and thither at her pleasure.' - -Carlo made his way very cautiously out of the forest for fear of meeting -any stray dogs that might be prowling round. But all was quiet and -silent as he crept up to the breach, which the pirates had never yet -taken the trouble to repair. Whether Andreas' warnings had made him -more nervous, or whether he were trying to be more watchful, he could -not tell; but as he approached the verandah he fancied he heard a slight -noise among the bushes. He paused, and the sound ceased; then he made a -few steps forward, and, hearing nothing more, he cautiously climbed up -the verandah and swung himself as usual over the low balcony. The -window was left open, and before closing it he looked down into the -bushes. Once again he fancied he heard a soft stir, but the darkness -prevented him seeing anything more than a slight waving motion among the -great rose-bushes. - -In the sitting-room everything looked as usual. Felipa was bending over -some embroidery as if she were still the little mistress of Santa -Teresa, and Etta's face looked flushed with excitement as she fixed her -blue eyes intently on a palm-leaf basket she was weaving, which work -Andreas had taught her long ago. - -'Carlo, look!' she cried. 'I have had a mishap with two baskets, but -this one shall succeed. How have you fared to-day, and did Harry Fenn -have good sport?' - -'Andreas gave him a lesson on the blow-pipe, and I can tell you your -Englishman opened his eyes wide. But what of the Frenchman, Senora? -Have you seen him?' - -'No; but we heard a bustle in the hall, and the soldier who came this -evening said we should have a visitor to-morrow.' - -'Has Harry Fenn heard of any ship in our neighbourhood?' said Dona -Elena, anxiously. 'Catalina says this Frenchman has a bad name, and that -she fears you will be discovered if they set a stronger guard; so do be -careful, my poor Carlo.' - -Carlo thought of the noise he had heard in the bushes, and wondered if -he had already been seen and betrayed; but he deemed it wiser not to -mention this. - -'One thing I swear,' he said suddenly: 'they shall not separate us -again. Felipa, say you will follow where I lead, little sister. If we -must die, let us at least die together.' - -'Indeed I will, Carlo, for I am weary of being a prisoner,' she answered -with a sigh; and Dona Elena, looking up, saw a strange look of pain and -sadness pass over the girl's face. - -Suddenly Etta sprang from the low couch on which she was sitting and put -her finger on her lips. - -'Carlo! Carlo!' she whispered, 'hide quickly! Catalina, help him--I -hear steps. Make haste, prithee, make haste!' - -Carlo listened, but heard nothing, only Etta's hand pushed him towards -the cupboard door, and to please her he retreated. Poor much-tried Dona -Elena turned pale, whilst Felipa drew near to her; for now all of them -heard distinctly the steps. In two more minutes, after an impatient -knock, the expected Frenchman entered, and his quick glances took in the -party as he made a profound bow, and said: - -'Good! the Senora and the Dona Elena Alvarez, the nurse and the English -girl--that was as the Captain said. Good-evening, ladies. I suppose -you have not heard that the young Senor Carlo has returned to the -island, and that he is now secreted in the wood?' - -'My nephew is not likely to keep in the woods when we are here,' said -Dona Elena, with great presence of mind. - -'That may or may not be; but Captain Morgan is coming back in a few -days, Madame, and he sent word that you would all be ransomed or sold as -slaves. The young Senor was especially to be well cared for if he -landed here. And I fancy I have heard something of such an event.' -Then he added: 'Perhaps that old Spanish woman could tell something -about him if we were to ask her questions below.' - -Dona Elena rose to her full height. - -'You must first kill me before you touch our faithful Catalina. Leave -my presence, Monsieur.' - -'Well, well, don't be angry, Dona Elena: to-morrow is time enough. As -for to-night, we will have a hunt with the dogs in the forest and see -for ourselves. Good-night, ladies.' - - - - - CHAPTER XVIII. - - HUNTING A FUGITIVE. - - -When Carlo was gone Harry went on with his lesson; and then, feeling -somewhat weary after his expedition, he prepared his bed, which -preparation consisted merely in fastening up an Indian hammock that -Andreas had made for him. And as he did so he could not help thinking -of his comfortable bed at home, and of the love which had been his from -childhood till the day he was kidnapped. The thought of his parents was -always a very sorrowful one to Harry. Ah, if only he could escape! and -then, once in England, he would hunt up Etta Allison's uncle and make -him send for his niece. But the 'if' was not likely to be fulfilled. - -Next, Harry cooked his supper, and this was also a very simple affair; -he lit a tiny fire in a space within the hut between a few bricks, and -allowed the smoke to find its way out by a small hole at the side of the -hut. After baking his maize cake he quickly extinguished his fire, as -smoke was a real element of danger even in this thick forest. - -As he now ate his very modest meal, thinking over the plenteous fare in -the home-farm, he could not help dwelling on the thought of bright-eyed -Etta. - -'She has the sweetest face I ever clapt eyes on,' he thought, 'and her -hair is like golden light on a thistle-down. How my mother would be -made glad with her sweet speecheries! Nay, but when I get back--if God -wills I ever do get back--then I will e'en come here again and fetch her -away, if so be her uncle will not do it. In truth I will; and then I -will ask her to be my wife, and she will be the comforting of the old -people, for she has such brave, sweet, winning ways, and has far more -courage than the pretty Spanish girl, who could be turned about -whichever way the wind blew, and has, besides, no pretty witcheries.' - -Harry, having thus settled his own future, took out his little -prayer-book and read a gospel, thinking as he did so of Mr. Aylett, and -wondering, as he had done many and many a time, what his friend had -thought when he had heard of his disappearance. Now and then he half -feared whether he had fancied that he had gone willingly with the -freebooters; and this idea troubled him; but at other times he put it -away as impossible. - -Harry was about to kneel down to say his prayers--which worship seemed -only natural in the midst of this beautiful forest with the spreading -palms, and the Bois Chataigne opening its petals in the darkness and the -many other forest giants--when suddenly he heard Andreas' very faint -whistle, although in the deep silence of solitude he had not noticed his -approach--indeed nothing around him but well-known sounds, such as -distant notes of a few birds. - -Harry started up, and would have called out, but remembered caution, so -that he even put out his light before he opened the door. He was glad -enough now that Carlo's lessons helped him to understand Andreas' -meaning, if not quite all his words. - -'Quick, Senor, and quiet; this place is no longer safe: they are going -to beat through the forest with the dogs to-night. They fancy you are -the Senorito; but, thank God, he is safe, at least for to-night. Follow -quickly, but first take everything away from the hut.' - -With quick dexterity the Indian unswung the hammock and rolled up in it -the few properties that were in the hut; then, placing this on his head, -he led the way forward, plunging yet deeper into the wood. Harry -followed as best he could, enduring patiently many a scratch from sharp -prickles and thorns, and many a bruise and tumble. 'Wait a moment, -Senor,' said Andreas after a time; 'I will put this bundle in this -stream and drag it down some way; the dogs will then lose the scent. -Give me your hand: we must wade up this streamlet. Ah, Senor, it is a -cruel sport, hunting the human being with fierce dogs. In the old days -the Spaniards hunted down the poor Indians--when I was a boy I have seen -them--and now the white men hunt each other.' Then, with a low chuckle, -Andreas added, 'I have made the dogs stupid with my powder; they will be -very slow; but I dared not stupefy them altogether for fear of -discovery. Now, Senor here is your hiding-place; I know you can climb. -This big trunk would shelter many men, but it is a secret few know of. -The Indians made the retreat long ago, and many a poor hunted being has -found safety here.' - -Harry did as he was bid, and with a good deal of help, which he would -have despised had it been light, he found himself half-way up a great -trunk, now hollow in parts, and showing that decay had set its hand -there. When they had reached this position Andreas crept through a tiny -aperture, and the two found themselves in a small room in the huge -hollow tree. The hand of man had made a floor and roofed it in, so that -there was a hollow tree above and a hollow tree below. It was so -beautifully contrived that when the door was opened it could be fastened -from within and leave no mark of its being a door on the outside, whilst -a hole in the ceiling would let in air and a small amount of light. -Andreas smiled at Harry's exclamations of surprise and admiration. - -'The Senor will be safe here if the dogs do not pick up the scent again; -if they do, see, here is a bow and arrow and some big stones. Don't let -any one climb up, but do not open the door unless you are sure you are -discovered; they will look up the hollow tree but will see nothing.' - -Andreas did not wait to be thanked, and, with another warning not to -open the door, he slipped down, and was soon purposely making a false -scent to another hiding-place known to some of the Indians who might be -employed by the pirates to scour the forest for Carlo. - -Andreas crept back to the castle an hour later, just as the party -organised by Sieur Simon was about to start, and, pretending he was -awakened by the noise, he crept out of his hut near the compound and -offered to join the party. His services would most likely have been -accepted had not a negro told the Frenchman that Andreas was very fond -of the young Senor and that he would be of no use. - -Simon, always on the look-out for treachery, told Andreas to go back to -his compound, and that when Captain Morgan returned it would then be -seen if the Indian knew anything of the runaway Carlo. - -It was an awful procession which Andreas watched issuing out of the gate -of Santa Teresa. The dusky forms of the negroes with their black woolly -heads, their thick lips grinning at the idea of an exciting chase, -holding in the fierce baying dogs with long leashes, and accompanying by -blows their unearthly howling, and behind these again some -ruffianly-looking pirates taking their orders from the slight, -crafty-looking Frenchman. - -Then at last all was ready, and with another long howl of cruel -eagerness both men and dogs rushed down the steep mountain-side. - -Faithful Andreas had still some work to do; he knew how anxious Dona -Elena would be, and that in truth even Carlo was in great danger. The -Indian sat by his hut for some time, thinking of some plan of escape, -knowing well that Captain Henry Morgan, once back, would make short work -of any fugitives hidden in the woods. Not arriving at any satisfactory -solution, Andreas climbed up to the balcony, and, unfastening the -window, he stole softly to the door of the ladies' room. - -As he had expected, there was still a light burning. The ladies had -been too much afraid of what was going to happen to have the heart to go -to bed; besides, their presence in the chamber guarded Carlo's -hiding-place. Suppose the dogs should trace him to the castle and into -their very presence? The idea made them shudder. Carlo was still -crouching on the top step of the secret staircase, and was not at all -enjoying the situation, when Etta recognised Andreas' whistle and opened -the door carefully to him. - -'What news, Andreas?' she said. 'Oh, it was dreadful! We heard the -dogs baying; it made our blood run cold. Make haste and tell us all you -know.' - -'But the Senor Carlo is safe?' - -'Yes, yes; but Harry Fenn--oh, will they find him?' exclaimed Etta, -almost crying. - -'I hope not, Senorita; but there is much danger for all of you. If the -noble Dona Alvarez will allow me, I will take counsel with the Senor for -a few moments at least.' - -'Are you sure that dreadful Frenchman will not come back, Andreas? He -made us tremble, for he looked so evil.' - -'At all events, not till the dogs return. As for the English Senor, he -is safely hidden, if there can be any place safe from those beasts. Had -he been in the hut, they would have had him in a very short time.' - -Carlo had now been let out by Catalina, and he and Andreas were soon -deep in a quick, low-toned conversation. The danger for himself and -Harry was great; most likely the pirates would not spare their lives -after all that had happened; and still no ship was yet in sight. - -'I know but one way, Senor Carlo: there is a small desert island which -is out of the track of the ships, and if we could steal a boat I could -take you and the Senor Harry to it. If we could prepare everything we -might start to-morrow at sunset. I will take care to keep back enough -dried meat from the store and take a skin of water.' - -'But, Andreas, on your return you would be found out; and how could I -leave my aunt and sister?' - -'The ladies will be safe if the ransoms can be paid; and as for myself, -Andreas is cleverer than the Englishmen.' A sweet smile parted the -faithful Indian's lips, and Carlo, who had often experienced this same -boasted cleverness, believed him. 'And when Andreas returns he will -look after the ladies; but for yourself, Senorito, there is great -danger. They are bent upon finding you, and Coca the negro saw you, and -betrayed you to the Frenchman for a sum of money.' - -This plan seemed the only one that could suggest itself to the two bold -spirits. Harry Fenn's retreat could not long be kept a secret, as he -must have food taken to him, and every visit to the tree of refuge made -the discovery either by dogs or men more probable. What Andreas did not -reveal, however, to Carlo was that for him this expedition was almost -sure to lead to harm. His absence was certain to be discovered or -betrayed, even though he meant to arrange during his absence for the -well-being of the cattle under his charge; and if discovered Andreas -knew that his life would be taken. He had faced the question, and had -accepted the danger, for his love for Carlo was stronger than any fear -of death. - -Carlo explained what had been decided upon, and though Felipa and -Catalina both cried at the idea of the separation, Dona Elena saw that -this plan was the only one which gave her nephew a chance of safety. - -'Ah, Andreas, God will reward you,' she said, taking the Indian's hand -in hers; 'for we poor captives can but give you thanks.' - -Etta, who had been listening to all this, now added anxiously: - -'But, dear Carlo, suppose Andreas does not return, how can we ever find -you or Harry?' - -'I will tell you, Senora,' said Andreas. 'You are right to ask, for the -island has no name for the white men, and I never myself knew of a ship -that stopped there. Give me some paper.' - -Taking the parchment-like pith, which was all the prisoners could -procure to write on, Andreas roughly marked out with a thorn the -position of the island with regard to its distance from St. Catherine, -making clever indications to show where dangerous rocks were to be -found, and on which side the island could be approached. - -'Keep that by you, Senorita, and if you can get away in a big ship, the -Captain will understand where to find the Senor Carlo.' He then made -his Indian salutation and departed, saying he had much to do before the -next sunset, and that if all were well he would come and fetch the Senor -Carlo the next evening; but, till then, he advised great care, for fear -of discovery. - -It was, indeed, a very anxious day the family spent, but also a busy -one. Felipa made a little needle-book for her brother; Etta plaited him -a basket; and Catalina did up two blankets in as small a bundle as was -possible: whilst Dona Elena unsewed some gold pieces she had secreted -about her, and made a belt for Carlo, in which she hid this money, in -case they sighted a ship and needed provisions or passage-money. Then, -lastly, when the soldier's visit was over, and they had heard from him -that the dog-hunt had not been successful, for the animals had lost the -scent: but they meant to go again when the moon rose, being sure the -young rascal was hidden somewhere in the woods, for a negro had seen him -with his own eyes--then at last Carlo came out of his dismal -hiding-place, and all together the prisoners earnestly prayed for a safe -journey, and that God would save them out of the hands of their enemies. -Felipa cried much as she kissed her brother, feeling sure she would -never see him again; and Etta sent messages to Harry, saying he was not -to forget her if he went home to England, and to tell her uncle of her; -and, lastly, Catalina invoked every blessing which every saint could -give on her dear foster-child. Then came Andreas' call; he had done -wonders, having procured a boat, which he had hidden in a creek right at -the foot of Santa Teresa, and where Harry now was awaiting them, hardly -daring to move for fear of making the slightest noise and so attracting -the guards. And thus once more, the friends were scattered. - - - - - CHAPTER XIX. - - IN A LONELY SPOT. - - -The dark night happily favoured them; and what was also in their favour -was the fact that Sieur Simon's boat lay at anchor, and his hoys had -been plying backwards and forwards all the afternoon, making the men on -guard pay but little attention to the gentle plash of the oars as -Andreas and Harry sent the long boat shooting off into the bay. One -thought distressed the faithful Andreas: he had done his best to lay in -a store of food, but he knew it was a very inadequate provision if the -boys were to be left long in the desert island. - -No one spoke for some time; then, when they had safely passed the ship, -and were well out to sea, they had plenty to say to each other. Harry -told how he had heard the baying of the dogs from his hiding-place; how -they had come nearer and nearer, and he had felt a strange horror, which -nothing else had ever given him before, at the idea of being torn in -pieces by those blood-thirsty animals; then how the sounds had told him -the dogs were close at hand, the shouting and yelling negroes urging -them on, and the pirates mingling oaths with these cries as they were -entangled in the scrub or the mangrove branches. Yes, and at last they -had come close by, up to the foot of the tree, and had paused there as -the baying dogs rushed round and round undecided, till one of them had -evidently scented out the trail made by Andreas, and the negroes had -hunted the dogs forward. Harry's face as he told the story still bore -traces of the terrible ordeal he had passed through during those few -moments of intense suspense. - -'I fancied before that I was brave, but I only know that when I heard -those evil beasts I had no more courage left in me than a zany at a -village fair; and when they had passed by, I lay on the floor of my -hiding-place as if I were already dead. I have never before been in such -dire terror of my life; but in truth such barbarous ways are not honest -warfare.' - -'Yet I saw my father hunted down by wild dogs,' said Andreas, on whom -this fact had made a lasting impression; and Carlo looked grave, for he -knew well enough that his people it was who had perpetrated such -cruelties on the gentle Indians, and that Spain would ever have to bear -the shame of the first cruelties in the New World--cruelties which other -nations had not been slow to adopt; till the black plague-spot had -spread all over the fair lands and the newly discovered islands. - -All night they rowed hard, and when daylight came, and with it all the -glory of the tropical sunrise, St. Catherine was no longer in sight; and -unless any other knew the secret of the desert island and betrayed the -knowledge to Sieur Simon, they were saved. Each in his own heart -thanked God. - -Harry's face began to recover its more cheerful expression: he was not -leaving his loved ones as was Carlo; but was this journey bringing him -much nearer his own home? - -'When shall we sight this place?' asked Carlo wearily, when the sun -beating down on their heads reminded him that he was now not nearly as -strong as before his illness; 'and what do you call it, Andreas? It -seems as if we were going to a land of nowhere.' - -'It has no name known to the white men, Senor; but my father, who took -me there when I was a boy, always called it by an Indian name which -meant "Queen of the Water," because of the one tall Jagua palm-tree -which stands high and solitary on it, and can be seen from a long -distance.' - -'Then we are already in sight,' said Harry suddenly. 'Look, Andreas, -there, right ahead! You have come straight as an arrow.' - -This welcome news gave them fresh courage, and on they sped. Nearer and -nearer they came; they could now discern the wild scrub bordering the -sand on which the surf painted a long line of white foam; they could see -the motion of the leaves as the soft breeze disturbed the luxuriant -undergrowth; but suddenly Andreas, standing up, dropped his oar from -sheer surprise. - -'Queen of the Water is not a desert island now!' he said. 'Look, -Senor!' - -The boys also gazed now at the shore; and there, sure enough, on a small -rock that jutted out into the sea, they saw a weird-looking figure -walking slowly up and down, and waving long thin arms as if to warn off -the intruders. The man, who hardly looked human even from this -distance, appeared to be intent only on this one action; and so strange -did it seem, that the three looked at each other with the same question -expressed on their faces, and this was, 'Shall we land?' - - - [Illustration: "_SHALL WE LAND?_" (missing from book)] - - -'If there is one man there may be more,' said Carlo, in despair; 'but I -can row no more. We may as well be killed here as go on to another -island and die by the way.' - -'He is no Indian, but a white man,' remarked Andreas, again scanning the -rock; 'his beard is long, and his hair too. He either wishes us ill, or -wishes to warn us from some danger; and yet I never heard of any one -living here. This is indeed a misfortune.' - -'Well, we must risk it,' said Harry, seeing Carlo was looking terribly -white and done up; 'and I think if we run the boat in here, at our right -hand, that old fellow will not come up with us till we are well landed, -for he will have nigh upon a mile to walk. If I'm not right, you may -call me an ass for my pains, Carlo.' - -Andreas approved, and presently they were obliged to keep all their wits -sharp in order to enter the semicircular harbour, for there was some -danger in getting the boat through the tumbling surf. But the Indian -was too well accustomed to landing a boat to come to grief, and very -soon the three stood on firm land; and after dragging up the boat out of -reach of the waves, they looked anxiously around their new home. Near -them, above the low cliff, was a clearing made by nature, where grew -bananas, cacao, and bois-immortel, among which could also be seen a few -orange-trees and Avocado pears; so that there was no fear of dying of -thirst. But what interested them most was the strange weird figure, -who, instead of following them, still kept on the same rock, and still -waved his arms as if warding off some visible enemy. Andreas gazed a -few minutes in silence; then all at once his eyes lighted up. - -'It is no enemy: it must be a poor man whom the pirates have brought -here. That is their fashion. I have heard them speak of it. They land -some one who has offended them, and leave him to die alone; though often -they will give him a musket and a little powder.' - -'Then I should say that poor man is mad,' said Harry. 'If so, he may be -more dangerous than a pirate. But look, Andreas; if the pirates have -been once they may come again.' - -'No, not for many a long day; they must have sighted this desert island -by chance, and landed this poor man here, knowing it was uninhabited.' - -'Well, I will go and see what I can make of him,' said Harry, 'whilst -you get a rest, Carlo; for you must not be ill here, and Andreas will -begin unloading the boat.' - -'Take care, Harry,' cried Carlo; 'nay, wait: I will come with you--I -can't bear you to run the risk alone.' - -'I have been through so many perilous scrapes that one more or less -makes but little difference. Still, come along, Senorito, we may perhaps -make the poor man forget his troubles.' - -So the two walked slowly along the shore till they came within a few -yards of the weird figure; and Harry, wishing to attract his attention, -called out to him and asked him what he did there. Then the figure -paused, and gazed at the new-comers as if they were an unfamiliar sight, -and began muttering through his long grey beard Spanish words of no -meaning. - -'Senor Carlo, this poor fellow is a Spaniard; but I see no sign of a -musket. Speak to him, and ask him where he sleeps, and why he is here.' - -Carlo began very courteously to inquire how the stranger had reached the -island, as no boat was in sight; but suddenly he stopped short in his -sentence, and clung wildly to Harry. - -'Harry, Harry Fenn, look again, that man is--can you not see? It is my -father; and yet I hardly knew him. See the ring on his finger?' Harry -would certainly not have recognised the Marquis, whom he had seen but -little of; but in his astonishment he called out his name. - -'The Senor Estevan del Campo! Surely it cannot be! Gracious Heaven!' - -'Yes, yes,' said the poor man, 'that is my name. Who called me? Yes, -yes, Estevan del Campo!' - -'Oh, sir, here is your son,' said Harry; and then Carlo, summoning up -his courage, rushed toward his poor father and knelt by his side. - -'Father, father, do you not know me? I am Carlo, your son. Forgive me -if I ever spoke harshly, father.' - -'Carlo my son? No, no, I have no son, no country. Don't let any one -come here to find out my hiding-place; I warn them off. The pirates -left me here; that was the kindest thing they did for me. I have no -name, no titles. Don't tell any one where I am. What do they call -it?--marooning--they marooned me, left me to die alone. It was their -kindness; I bear them no grudge for doing that. No name, no country!' - -'No, no,' cried Carlo; 'we will take care of you, father; you shall not -die alone.' And turning his arm round the poor thin arm of his father, -Carlo dragged him forward; and Harry, following behind, wiped away a few -tears from his eyes; for it was indeed a sight to have touched the -hardest heart. But evidently the poor Marquis was out of his mind and -had not much longer to live. - -The sound of human voices seemed to soothe him after a time; and when -they reached the shade of the grove where Andreas had set out some food -for the travellers, he was no longer muttering his few sentences. The -surprise of the Indian can easily be imagined, and the poor fellow's -pity for his old master was quite touching to witness, even though he -had never received much kindness at his hands. Little by little the -Marquis began to take in dimly that Carlo was with him, and to accept -the services of Andreas as he waited on him; but though not actually -starved, he had taken but little trouble to collect food, and the horror -of loneliness and shame at his past treason seemed to have done the work -of years. Carlo, who had all along been feeling a grudge against his -father, could now forgive and forget everything. - -'Oh, Andreas, how fortunate it was that you brought us here! Stay with -us now, and do not go back to St. Catherine: I am so much afraid that -your absence will be discovered, and then---- Do stay, and let us share -our misfortunes and our luck.' - -It was a great temptation to Andreas, and for a few moments he brooded -in silence over the proposal; but he had learnt Christianity in a way -not understood by many Christians. He considered that if he stayed he -would certainly save himself, but if he returned he might help to save -the poor ladies, who had now no protectors; and Andreas knew that the -word of a pirate was but a poor thing to trust in. He believed that he -could help them, and anyhow he could give them the knowledge that Carlo -was safe and that the Marquis was found. What did his life matter? Had -not the Padre told him these words: 'Greater love hath no man than this, -that a man lay down his life for his friends,' and to the poor Indian -the words were simple and powerful, and to be, if needs were, carried -out literally. It took him but a few moments to make up his mind. - -'Andreas must go back,' he said, smiling, now his decision was made; -'for the Senora and the Senorita will want to know the good news, and -they may want also to come to the Queen of the Water. Andreas loves -Senor Carlo dearly, but he will go away first and then come again.' - -So towards evening, several hours before the sun set, Andreas was -escorted to the boat, while the boys helped to push it off from the -shore, and the Marquis stood by once more as if he were giving orders, -though he merely said, 'Tell them, Andreas, that I did it for the best. -The rascals deceived me. Tell them that, Andreas, and don't let my -little Felipa think badly of me.' - - - - - CHAPTER XX - - SAVED. - - -Captain Morgan had sent word from Jamaica, whither he had gone after the -taking of Panama, that he might be expected in a few days at St. -Catherine, as he was going to fortify it against any future attack of -the Spaniards. The Captain had taken the lion's share of the booty, -and, finding the loud murmurs of the men to be more than disagreeable, -he set sail one evening and left the fleet to do as it thought best. -Still, he was anxious to get back to St. Catherine to conclude his -ransoms, and Sieur Simon had been instructed to watch closely that none -of the prisoners escaped. What was, then, Simon's rage at finding that -not only Carlo, but that young viper, as he called him, Harry Fenn, had -escaped in the night, and that Andreas the Indian had carried out the -whole plan. Unfortunately, the negro whom Andreas had trusted had turned -informer, fearing when the Indian came back he might suffer punishment. - -The negro only escaped instant hanging by promising to betray Andreas on -his return, and the better to secure this he was to meet him and tell -him nothing had been discovered. 'As to the hiding-place of the -vipers,' said Simon,' a little of the rack will make the Indian disclose -it; for if Captain Morgan comes and finds out the truth he may make me -answerable.' To vent his wrath on some one, Simon marched up into the -presence of the ladies and told them all he knew, and his future -intentions. He forbade them ever to leave the two rooms set apart for -them, placed guards in the corridor, and one below the window to which -Carlo and Harry had obtained access. There seemed no hope now left them -of escape, and they could only wait most anxiously for any scrap of news -which might leak out through the very ill-tempered guards Simon had -placed near them. Etta alone would not give in to low spirits: she felt -sure that Andreas would return and would let them know; and as she could -not go and watch by the window in the corridor as formerly, she kept a -good lookout from the sitting-room verandah. She was indeed the -sunshine of the party; for Felipa had drooped again now that Carlo was -gone, and Dona Elena was hardly equal to more exertion and -disappointment. Catalina would speak of the good old time when she had -first come to the island, and when Felipa had been treated as became her -rank. She even began to turn against Etta, as being of the same race as -the hated Morgan. But Etta would not despair nor give up hope; and so -it happened that one day at sundown she heard Andreas' soft whistle -below. - -'Felipa, dear Felipa, listen: that is Andreas! There! Did I not say he -would come back? It is so dark that I cannot see him. What shall we -do, Dona Elena? for the good man will not understand he must not come up -here.' - -They all crept on to the balcony now and listened intently, but the -sound died away; and just as they were beginning again to despair there -was a knock at the door and the negro Coca entered, bowing very humbly -before them as he presented a letter to Dona Elena. - -'Andreas is not able to come himself, lady, but he sends letter, and -wants answer.' - -Dona Elena opened the parchment quickly; but Etta, who was looking on, -said hurriedly: - -'How did the guards let you pass if they will not allow Andreas to have -speech with us?' - -'I was very cunning, Senorita: I said that I had great news to give the -Senora.' - -Etta, still puzzled, listened to the words of the note, which Dona Elena -translated into French so that the negro should not understand. - - -'The Senor Carlo and the Senor Harry are safe. They have found the -noble father. I cannot see you yet. God protect you! - -'ANDREAS.' - - -'Andreas waits for answer,' said the negro. - -'Do not send one, Dona Elena,' cried Etta quickly, in spite of herself -suspecting some plot; for what answer should Andreas require? He could -hear for himself that they were safe, but Felipa said pettishly: - -'Nay but, dear aunt, send him word that he must get us delivered from -this prison; I am weary of being shut up.' - -Dona Elena, thinking of no harm, yielded; and soon the negro retired, -grinning as he again bowed low. - -'I never can like those black creatures,' said Catalina, turning up her -nose in disgust. 'Indians are all very well; but negroes--no, no, -Senora, you should never trust a negro.' - -'Nonsense, Catalina! My dear husband said it was because we treated the -negroes so badly that they were sometimes treacherous. Alas! we -Spaniards have much to answer for in that respect.' - -Catalina was not convinced, and kept on muttering that Andreas might be -trusted because his colour was brown, but that black was the colour of -the Evil One. Could she have seen what was going on below she might, -perhaps, have made even the enlightened Senora agree with her. The -negro had taken the note straight to the Sieur Simon, and in a few -minutes more Andreas was seized and dragged into his presence, and -confronted with it. The Indian saw that the negro had betrayed his -trust, and, setting his teeth tight together, he stood before his enemy -silent and brave. - -'Tell me, dog of an Indian, where thou hast been, and where thou hast -hidden those young whelps,' said Simon, angrily. But Andreas was not -going to tell him. - -'As well answer, for I know everything; the negro has told me; and if -thou ownest thy fault I will forgive thee,' said Simon. But Andreas -felt sure this was a trap: no one knew the retreat of Senor Carlo--no -one at least at St. Catherine. - -'Come, my men, here is a dumb dog: see if a little torture will worm out -the secret.' - -We must draw the veil over the horrible torments which noble Andreas -endured. It was a cruel age, but the desperate men who had broken loose -from their country, their religion, and their laws outdid all the -cruelties of the age, and fancied because the poor defenceless Indians -could not now revenge themselves they were fair game. When nature could -bear no more, and the half-dead man was thrown into a dungeon, not a -word having been extracted from him, Sieur Simon was rather sorry he had -ordered the torturers to go on to such a length, for now it was doubtful -if he could ever get any information from him, and he had been told that -Andreas knew many valuable secrets which would now most likely die with -him. - -That night the pirates had a long carousal, because they knew that next -day Captain Morgan was expected back, and when he came the good things -generally disappeared; so Sieur Simon suddenly bethought himself that -most likely there must be treasure hidden away somewhere or other in -Santa Teresa. He dared not touch Dona Elena or Felipa--they were able -to pay rich ransoms; but his mind turned at once to Etta, the English -girl, who was, of course, merely a slave of the Marquis. Yes, she might -know, and if--well, if--anything happened to her, no one would care -much, and certainly no one would inquire, except Captain Morgan, who had -said the English girl was to be cared for; but he would not grieve much -about any one who could not bring him in any money. - -'Go up, Nat Salt,' he said to an Englishman 'and fetch down that English -wench. I would wager a goblet of wine that she knows where the old -Marquis kept his treasures.' - -'By'r laykin,' said Nat Salt, 'that little cinder witch was rather a -favourite with the Captain. It'll not be safe to meddle with her -over-much.' - -'Nay, I will but make her feel the rope trick round her wrist, and I'll -pledge you a flagon of red wine we shall then know all she does.' - -'There'll be naught more, then, Sieur Simon, or I would rather not -meddle in it; the Captain now and then loses his temper over a mighty -small affair.' - -'My word as a brother,' said Simon, using the term by which pirates -called each other when they were in a good temper. - -Nat knew that even Simon would not break his oath, but he said the -morning would be more convenient for Etta's examination; so that the -poor girl fell asleep without dreaming what was in store for her the -next day. - -Once again Etta was to go down into the great hall, where now only Sieur -Simon was sitting, and she was to be tried in a far harder way even than -by hunger. When the man called Nat Salt came to fetch her, Felipa -seemed to guess that something was the matter, for she clung to her -friend, crying out: - -'Don't take Etta away. Catalina, Aunt Elena, don't let the wicked man -take her. Why is she to go?' - -'Prithee, young madam, don't take it to heart; this English girl is but -wanted to answer a few questions.' But Etta, though pale, would not -show any fear even while her heart sank within her. - -'I will follow you an you touch me not,' she said, raising her fair head -loftily. - -'In truth I'll not touch thee, young one,' said Nat Salt, who had a -curiously soft heart, considering what he had seen and done. 'Come -then, it will not be ten minutes' work. But mind! don't go acting the -dumb dog before that Frenchman; I'fecks, he's as hard as a millstone on -man, woman, or child--Morgan's an angel to him.' - -As they passed out the two soldiers guarding the door stared hard at the -girl, who walked by Nat's side as if she were a princess. - -'There's a bit of sunshine in the wench's hair,' said one of them, 'but -it will go hard with her if she is to get into the hands of the dragon.' - -Poor Etta! it was to go hard with her. - -'Come, child, make haste and tell me what I ask, and then you can go -back to your friends,' said Simon. 'Where did the Marquis hide his gold -before Morgan landed? He must surely have been busy over that work.' - -Etta lifted her pretty head, and gazed at the Frenchman with indignant -blue eyes. - -'As if I should tell the secrets of the Marquis to you!' she said -quickly. - -'Ah! so you are not going to tell--for of course you know?' and he -laughed softly. - -'English girls don't tell tales,' said Etta. - -'Well, we'll see. Come, Nat, where's the rope? A little pressure on the -wrists acts to the tongue like oil to rusty hinges.' - -Etta saw the rope, and some of her courage forsook her. She tried to -run past Nat, but with one stride he caught her, and, twisting the rope -round both her wrists in a peculiar fashion, he began pulling the noose -tight, then tighter. Etta shut her eyes and thought of Carlo and of -Harry. She knew the Marquis had hidden some of the gold in an old well, -under the flags of the inner courtyard, but she did not mean to tell. -God helping her, she would not be a traitor. - -'Now,' said Simon, 'draw it tight, Nat, and see if that won't make her -speak. Where is the gold, girl? Quick, and you shall be released. -One, two--where? Pull tighter, Nat.' - -Etta, in spite of herself, uttered a scream, shrill and piercing, which -made Simon laugh. - -'I thought the bird would pipe to some tune. Come, Nat, a little -tighter. Where is the gold?' - -'It is not mine: how can I tell? I won't! no, I won't! It's Carlo's -money if his father is dead. Oh!' She struggled to get away, but this -only increased her agony. - -'One, two, three; it will hurt more yet if you don't speak.' - -'Come, tell Sieur Simon, wench. You'll not see the Marquis till -Martinmas, if then, so you needn't be afraid of him.' - -Another pull, another sharp agony, and Etta felt that she could bear no -more, when suddenly there was a rush into the hall of some half-dozen -men, all shouting and tumbling over each other, and looking scared out -of their lives. - -Nat immediately let go Etta in sheer astonishment, whilst Simon seized -hold of the foremost man and asked him roughly what was the matter. - -'I'faith, Captain, you may well ask; there's not a minute to spare. -There's a great man-of-war flying the English colours bearing down on us -and on the two ships in the bay, which have but some half-dozen men in -them.' - -'Where's the powder?' cried another; 'the look-out man must have -deserted. Gramercy! let's get out of this gruesome hole, for the walls -have never been rebuilt, and we handful of men can't hold it.' - -'Then we'll put you idle fellows to stop the breach,' cried Simon, -angrily. 'Here, Nat, haste and warn the rest of the garrison. We must -get down to the beach and prevent their landing. The forts are useless, -and that coxcomb Morgan dropped the guns into the sea before he left.' - -In another moment all was confusion, and the men had scattered hither -and thither. Etta had suddenly recovered her presence of mind as soon -as her great pain had ceased; in a moment she understood the situation. -She now ran as quickly as she could up another passage towards the -sitting-room. On the way she met the two guards, who, having just heard -the news, were running helter-skelter over each other to get down to the -courtyard and join their companions. - -'There's a man-o'-war bearing down on us! Marry! there'll not be a man -Jack of us left alive!' - -Etta found that the confusion had spread everywhere; for as she rushed -into the dwelling-room no one prevented her. - -'Catalina! Felipa! free me; prithee cut this dreadful rope. There's an -English man-of-war in sight; and if only it will put in we are saved.' - -'My poor child!' said Dona Elena, with tears in her eyes; for, the rope -being cut, the deep red gashes round Etta's wrists told plainly what she -had suffered. But Etta was now too much excited to feel any pain. She -knew that immediate action was necessary; if only she could find Andreas -perhaps he would put off to the ship in his canoe. But where was he? -She went to the balcony, as no one was guarding it now, and whistled the -Indian's tune; but there was no answer. - -Catalina and Dona Elena, on their side, went to the window that -commanded the bay; and there, sure enough, could be seen the big -man-of-war slowly approaching, and so great was the panic among the -pirates, who were only expecting Captain Morgan, that there was a -furious rush for the boats; believing, as they did, that the Marquis was -on board, and that on his landing not one of them would be spared. - -In the meanwhile Santa Teresa was almost deserted, except by the slaves; -and to one of these Etta addressed herself as to where she could find -Andreas, and was led to the black-hole, where the poor fellow lay only -just conscious. - -'Andreas! dear Andreas!' sobbed Etta. 'Those cruel men--what have they -done to you? But we are saved now. Catalina shall come and nurse you. -Say you are not suffering! Lack-a-day!' - -Old Pedro, who had managed successfully to trim his sails, now ran up, -exclaiming: - -'Thank God! thank God! Senora, the pirates are running off as if a -thousand devils were at their heels. They say the Marquis is on board -the man-of-war, but I know not; anyhow, let's secure our own gates. Ah! -poor Andreas had better have told all he knew; I did, and managed to -keep a whole skin.' - -'Then, Pedro, take a boat and go and tell the Captain that he must come -and take us away, and that I know where Senor Carlo and the English lad -are hidden. Andreas, look up; tell me, are you in pain?' - -But before Catalina or any one else could come, Andreas smiled happily, -tried to speak; then, with a gentle sigh, he died. He had understood -that those he had died for were saved, and that reward was enough for -him. - -Before long St. Catherine was rid of the pirates, for the man-of-war had -brought with it, not Don Estevan del Campo, but the new Governor of -Jamaica, who came to dispossess the former Governor who had abetted the -pirates; for King Charles of England was now sending strict orders that -no buccaneer was to be allowed to set forth from Jamaica to commit any -hostility upon the Spanish nation or any of the people of these islands, -and on his way to Jamaica the new Governor wished to sweep clean of its -pirates the little island of St. Catherine. - - - - - CHAPTER XXI. - - A BAG OF GOLD. - - -The Pitsea Manor Farm was a dull place enough now, even though the -beautiful sunshine made Nature look at her best on this September -afternoon; but Mr. Fenn and his wife seemed to have no longer any heart -left for joy, and they had settled that there was to be no harvest-home -on the farm, for ever since the disappearance of their son the worthy -couple could do nothing but mourn. They had indeed gone through -terrible sorrow, and their only comfort had been the long talks Mr. -Aylett had had with them, and his firm belief that Harry had not run -away, as the lad said he had once thought of doing, but that he had in -truth been kidnapped. - -Mr. Aylett, being the brother of a rich squire, had powerful friends, -and he had done all in his power to find out news of Harry; but in those -days news travelled but slowly; and though much was guessed, the truth -had never been exactly ascertained. - -At this moment Mr. Aylett was seen by the worthy Fenns to be walking -towards the farm, and very soon he was sitting by the sad-looking yeoman -in the great farm-hall, beginning as usual to talk of Harry. - -'I've told the men I'll have naught to do with a harvest-home,' said Mr. -Fenn, decidedly. 'I'll give them money for the feast, and they may go -and dance their round reels on the green; but, now my poor boy is dead, -I care not for sounds of music, and joy does but make me dizzy.' - -'And yet the Bible tells us to "rejoice always," good neighbour,' said -Mr. Aylett. 'Is it right to deprive others of joy when God has taken -ours from us? Is not this somewhat selfish grief, and displeasing to -God?' - -'It is my whim, Mr. Aylett. I cannot feel like Job, for when I see the -lads a-merrymaking I think of my poor Harry's goodly countenance, and my -heart seems like to break.' - -'The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away,' said Mrs. Fenn gently--'so -I tell Mr. Fenn; but such an ado I have to be a-comforting him that -sometimes I forget my own sore grief. It's a wonder I ever lived -through that time; and now when I sit in a quiet coigne I fancy I'm -another woman and in truth not Harry's mother. At this harvest-time I -think of the new doublet I had always ready for him, and how handsome he -looked. Lack-a-day!' - -'Tut, tut, woman!' said her husband, who liked to think his grief was -the greatest, 'the lad was more to me than to thee. You know how he -would follow me about when he could but just toddle. Ay, ay, Mr. -Aylett, you too know what he was like. It was a sight to see him riding -about the farm; and now there's no one of my name as will inherit this -place. And as for my cousin who has an eye to the place, i' faith he's -but a poor creature--ay, a paltry ass.' - -'The Lord can bring back your boy,' said the clergyman, with a quiet -assurance that appeared to be galling to the yeoman. - -'I said naught to the contrary, Mr. Aylett; but there's a sight of -things that the Lord could do as never happen in this world; and my -boy's dead--I know it; and meseems, in truth, it's folly thinking on it -longer.' - -''Tis much lacking in faith, good Mr. Fenn, that you are. For my part, -I believe Harry will come home, and----' But here the keener-witted -mother started up and called out: - -'Mr. Aylett's heard news of Harry! Speak out, sir, or this old heart -will break; for my head feels dizzy. Speak out, sir, for God's sake!' -And Mr. Aylett now saw that he had sufficiently prepared the old people -for the joy that he had to tell them, and, standing up reverently, he -said: - -'Ay, ay, good friends, God's name be praised! Harry is safe and sound, -and has a long and wonderful story to tell you.' - -'But where is he--oh, my boy! my boy! You're not deceiving me, Mr. -Aylett, else God have mercy on you!' - -'God forbid! Harry is in my house--brought here by a Captain Carew -himself; and with him is come an English maid who was a fellow-prisoner -in the West Indies. But I must tell no tales, and I bade him follow me -anon--and, ay, look you, there he is, so I'll leave you to hear his own -story, and go back to the maid, to whom my wife has taken a huge fancy -already, for there is as much sunlight in her eyes as there is gold in -our autumn corn; and, indeed, hers is as strange a history as you could -find even in tales of our Chaucer.' - -We must leave Harry to tell his own wonderful adventures, but Etta had -already recounted to Mr. and Mrs. Aylett how Captain Carew had been -kindness itself to the prisoners of Santa Teresa when he landed at St. -Catherine, and how he had taken all the party on board, and, after -landing the new Governor at Jamaica, had gone to the island where Carlo -and Harry Fenn had been left, helped to find it by the rude chart which -Andreas had drawn. It can be easily understood how happy was the -meeting, and how Dona Elena landed to see her brother's grave, and heard -how he had died in Carlo's arms. Then, last, Captain Carew had taken -them all on board again, and had landed the Spaniards in Spain, and Etta -had been comforted at the loss of Felipa by Carlo's saying that she must -come some day as an honoured guest to his home; that when he was a man -he would travel to England, as he meant to be a Spanish Ambassador at -the Court of King Charles. Then how excited she had been when she first -beheld the shores of England, and knew that she was indeed no longer a -prisoner, but a free English girl. Captain Carew, having relations of -his own near South Benfleet, had himself taken the young people to Mr. -Aylett, as Harry, now thoughtful beyond his years, knew that his sudden -reappearance at home might cause too great a shock to his parents; -besides, he thought Mr. Aylett could best judge what was to be done -about finding Etta Allison's relations. - -You can all imagine the joy of the homecoming; but I must add that there -was a grand harvest-home that year at Pitsea Manor Farm, and such joy as -never had been. What made it seem so wonderful to Harry was that Etta -was there, dressed in a pretty gown of white _seme_; and that he led off -the country dance with her; and that her sweet, brave face made the -whole hall appear merry; for, as Mrs. Fenn said, 'all could see Etta was -dancing a very Barley Bree o' mirth.' - -Her uncle had been found, and had come over to see her; but, being an -old bachelor, he was glad enough to pay a yearly sum to Mrs. Aylett, and -to let her stay with that excellent lady; saying he should leave her all -his money, and stipulating that she was to pay him yearly visits. No -wonder Etta was happy as she danced with Harry, or told stories of the -past. - - ---- - -Will you like to hear something more, and can you guess that when Harry -Fenn married, his bride was Etta Allison? And Carlo del Campo was, in -truth, present, as he had really joined the Embassy--though he was not -yet Ambassador--but he said at the wedding that he owed his success to -Etta, who had taught him English. Poor Felipa died just before Carlo's -journey. She had never recovered the effects of all the hardships and -sorrows she had gone through; but before her death she sent some of her -jewels to her dear Etta, and begged her not to forget her; which, as -Etta's heart was big, she was not likely to do. You can imagine what -talks they all had together; and perhaps the most wonderful piece of -news that Harry told Don Carlo was that Captain Henry Morgan had now -turned over a new leaf, and that the King had knighted him, and made him -Governor of Jamaica; and that, wonderful to relate, he was now called -Sir Henry Morgan, a brave and loyal gentleman. Truly it was a case of -'set a thief to catch a thief,' for the pirates were now no longer -tolerated in Jamaica; and Sir Henry was said to be vastly clever at -hunting them down. - -Some years later, when there were happy children running about the old -Pitsea farmhouse, there came a mysterious visitor to Benfleet. He gave -no name, but wished to see Harry Fenn, who was now the owner of the -farm; and when he was gone, Harry called his pretty wife Etta, who was -all curiosity to know what the visitor wanted; and then he showed her a -large bag, full of gold pieces--such a sum and such a glittering mass as -Etta and Harry had never seen all at once before in their lives; and on -a piece of parchment was written: - -'For my godson Harry Fenn: a marriage portion for him and the little -witch, albeit they were so ungrateful and unmindful of their -well-wisher, Sir Henry Morgan.' - -The gold pieces were of every nationality, and from every recognised -mint; and some of them looked as if they had been kept many years in -secret hiding-places known only to Sir Henry Morgan. - -'This money,' said Harry, 'is, if I mistake not, gold that was stolen in -Sir Henry Morgan's raids. What think you, sweetheart? I like not the -colour of it; and these adventures brought me but one gold coin of true -ring in it, and that was my own wee wife.' - -'For shame, Harry,' laughed Etta, 'to liken me to gold, which the Bible -calls the root of all evil! But why not give it to Mr. Aylett for the -poor on Canvey Island? Thou knowest, dear Harry, that there are many in -need there, round about the little Church of St. Catherine; and if it -goes to the service of that church it will remind us of all our troubles -on the other St. Catherine; and remind us, too, not to forget to be -grateful to God for our past deliverance.' - -'A right good thought, sweetheart! And what say you to putting up a -stained glass window of St. Catherine herself? And beside the wheel we -will place a cord in her hand, which will be in memory of the cruel knot -of which you still bear the marks.' - -'For shame, Harry! Nay, I was no saint. Why, if Captain Carew had not -come in the nick of time, I should, perhaps, have told everything I -knew. There, put up the gold pieces in their bag--I cannot abide the -sight of them; but Mr. Aylett will say, I am sure, that God can, and He -will, sanctify even stolen treasure.' - -And so out of evil they brought forth good, as all can do who set their -minds to it. But that evening, when Mr. Aylett, with much surprise, -received the gold, he asked Harry, laughingly, if he were of the same -mind as of old, and if he would still like to wander forth. - -'If Etta would come too, I would not mind seeing those beautiful lands -again,' he said. 'But, what with mother and the children, I know right -well she will not travel again for many a long year.' - -'Prithee, then, go alone, Harry, an it please you,' said his wife; and -as Harry shook his head in a very determined fashion, Etta Fenn fell -a-laughing softly, knowing well that her husband would never leave her -for all the gold of the West Indies. - - - - - FINIS - - - - - PRINTED BY - SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE - LONDON - - - - - - - ---- - - - - - - - NATIONAL SOCIETY'S - BOOKS - FOR - PRIZES & REWARDS - - - - - NEW STORY BOOKS FOR THE YOUNG - - PUBLISHED BY THE - - NATIONAL SOCIETY - - - - BY CHARLOTTE M. YONGE - - THE CROSS ROADS - -By CHARLOTTE M. YONGE, Author of "The Heir of Redclyffe," &c. With Five -Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 3s. 6d. - -A story of life in domestic service at Langhope Mead, with some amusing -sketches of character both in the servants' hall and in the neighbouring -village. The difficulties and troubles that beset Emmeline Osborne in -keeping faithful to the promise she had made to her dead mother, and her -final victory, will be found to form an excellent lesson for elder -girls. - - - - BY THE AUTHOR OF "THE ATELIER DU LYS" - - NOT ONE OF US - -By the Author of "Mademoiselle Mori," "The Atelier du Lys," &c. With -Five Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -Descriptive of the career of a young schoolmistress in Northern Italy, -and of the manners and customs of the folk dwelling in the valley of -Fiorasca. The lonely life of the Dutchwoman, Fransje, who has married -Benedetto Balli, and the good deeds she does, form a touching picture -that is full of pathos. - - - - BY THE AUTHOR OF "STARWOOD HALL" - - THE GOLDEN BUCKLE - -By the Author of "Starwood Hall," "Peckover's Mill," &c. With Five -Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 3s. 6d. - -A story of London in the year of the Great Plague, showing how one John -Garside, a hosier in Holborn, and his family took refuge on board The -Golden Buckle, which was then lying in the river with a cargo of sugar -and spice, and of the various things that befell them and theirs during -the long hot summer. - - - - BY C. R. COLERIDGE - - MAX, FRITZ, AND HOB - -By C. R. COLERIDGE, Author of "The Green Girls of Greythorpe" &c. With -Four Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. - -A tale of adventure four hundred years ago. The scene is laid -principally at the Castle of Lindenberg, in the Bavarian highlands, and -the story is chiefly concerned with the doings of two cousins, named Max -and Fritz, and of a tame bear, which they have christened Hob. The book -inculcates some admirable lessons on the duty of kindness to animals. - - - - BY M. & C. LEE - - ST. DUNSTAN'S FAIR - -By M. & C. LEE, Authors of "The Family Coach," &c. With Three Full-page -Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. -6d. - -"St. Dunstan's Fair" tells of the folks living in a small country -village in Kent, in the year of Waterloo, of what happened at the Fair -itself, and of the consequences to Nancy Springett and poor George -Colgate. The account of the visit paid by Molly and Chris to their -grandfather, Mr. Openshaw, and of the part played by the two children, -lend the story considerable variety of interest. - - - - BY MARY H. DEBENHAM - - MOOR AND MOSS - -By MARY H. DEBENHAM, Author of "For King and Home," &c. With Three -Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 2s. 6d. - -A story of the Border in the first half of the sixteenth century, of the -struggles that were for ever taking place, and the raids that were being -made, and (in particular) of the Armstrongs of Birkhope and the -Musgraves of Fairgill, and how peace and happiness were at last brought -to all. - - - - BY M. BRAMSTON - - THE ADVENTURES OF DENIS - -By M. BRAMSTON, Author of "Abby's Discoveries," &c. With Three -Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 2s. 6d. - -The adventures in question are those of Denis Lyndale while staying, -first at Liberty Hall on the high road between Derby and Chester, and -afterwards at Cathendean, in the hilly district of the Peak, and are -closely connected with the rising of 1745 and the retreat of Prince -Charles Edward from Derby to the north again. - - - - BY ESME STUART - - A SMALL LEGACY - -By ESME STUART, Author of "The Silver Mine," &c. With Two Full-page -Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -A story for children, concerning the life led by the coastguardsmen and -their families at St. Alban's Head, and showing how it is possible for -boys and girls to be brave and honourable in all their actions, and, -sometimes, even heroic. Little Peter is a pathetic figure, and one that -is likely to prove interesting to young and old. - - - - BY M. BRAMSTON - - LOTTIE LEVISON - -By M. BRAMSTON, Author of "A Village Genius," &c. With Two Full-page -Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -A South London story for young women and elder girls, describing how -Lottie Levison, from being brought up in a home of doubtful honesty, -conceived a desire to become "respectable," and not only succeeded, but -grew conscious of still better hopes, and was filled with a longing to -shed sunshine around her and to teach others the means of getting the -happiness which she had gained for herself. - - - - BY ESME STUART - - A NEST OF ROYALISTS - -By ESME STUART, Author of "Cast Ashore," &c. With Two Full-page -Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Cloth boards, gilt, price 1s. 6d. - -A story of Blois in the year 1832, of an English family--the -Merediths--who went to live there, and of the circumstances under which -they became connected with a Royalist plot against the rule of Louis -Philippe. The description of the hiding-places of some of the -conspirators is likely to prove attractive alike to boys and girls. - - - - - In addition to the preceding, the following Prize - Books are also published by the Society:-- - - - - BY CHARLOTTE M. YONGE - -Author of "The Heir of Redclyffe," "Cameos from English History," &c.. - - - - THE CONSTABLE'S TOWER - -Or, The Times of Magna Charta. With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. -O. MURRAY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A tale of the days of Magna Charta, showing the nobility of the -character of Hubert de Burgh, and his loyalty to his king under very -trying circumstances, and concluding with a spirited description of the -sea-tight off Dover. - -"One of the best children's books published this season."--WESTERN -ANTIQUARY. - - - - THE SLAVES OF SABINUS - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -A powerful story of the Christian Church in the days when Vespasian was -the Roman Emperor, and his more genial son Titus was freshly returned -from his conquest of the Jews. - -"It is a story on a theme that draws all hearts--Christian faith and -martyrdom in the first century."--GUARDIAN. - - - - THE CUNNING WOMAN'S GRANDSON - -A Story of Cheddar a Hundred Years Ago. With Five Full-page -Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 3s. 6d. - -An attractive story of the social and religious improvements that wore -made in the Cheddar district through the philanthropic zeal of Miss -Hannah More and her sisters. - - - - UNDER THE STORM - -Or, Steadfast's Charge. With Six Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -In "Under the Storm" the author of "The Heir of Redclyffe" depicts the -troublous experiences of the family of a small yeoman farmer during the -great Civil War. - -"'Under the Storm' is in all respects worthy of the reputation of the -author of 'The Heir of Redclyffe.'"--SPECTATOR. - - - - OUR NEW MISTRESS - -Or, Changes at Brookfield Earl. With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. -J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -"Our New Mistress" depicts with much truth to life the difficulties met -with by a young trained schoolmistress in taking charge of a village -school where innovations were not welcomed. Jessie Martin, however, -finally emerges successfully from all troubles and difficulties. - -"The Schoolmistress's story has just the dash of primness which makes it -quite perfect."--SPECTATOR. - - - - BY FRANCES MARY PEARD - - Author of "The Rose Garden," "The Country Cousin," - "Paul's Sister," &c. - - - - THE ABBOT'S BRIDGE - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -A story of life on the road in the time of Edward the Third, and of the -great rising of the townspeople of Bury St. Edmunds against the -authorities at the Abbey. - -"Miss Peard should find her popularity increased by 'The Abbot's -Bridge.' It is a capital story, vigorously told."--MANCHESTER GUARDIAN. - - - - THE LOCKED DESK - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -In this book Miss Peard has left the historical field in which most of -her previous tales for young people have lain, giving us instead a story -of the present day, in which certain documents in Mrs. Barton's locked -desk play an important part. - - - - THE BLUE DRAGON - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. TANILAND. 8vo, bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -"The Blue Dragon" is the sign of an inn at Chester, where the scene of -the story is laid, in the discontented, turbulent times that followed -immediately upon the battle of Bosworth Field. - -"Every page is full of stirring interest."--CHURCH TIMES. - - - - SCAPEGRACE DICK - -With Four Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -A spirited story of adventure in England and the Low Countries in the -days of the Commonwealth. - -"A book for boys, which will be read with equal pleasure by their -sisters."--PALL MALL GAZETTE. - - - - PRENTICE HUGH - -With Six Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -"Prentice Hugh" gives a graphic account of life during the reign of -Edward the First, mainly in the cathedral city of Exeter. - -"Another excellent book.... Both boys and girls will enjoy reading -'Prentice Hugh'; it is in all respects one of the best books of the -season."--ST. AMES'S GAZETTE. - - - - TO HORSE AND AWAY - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -The fortunes of a Royalist family in the times of the Great Civil War -form the leading theme of Miss Peard's story, which, together with many -adventures, gives a few graphic scenes from the life of Charles II. in -his flight from Worcester Field. - -"'To Horse and Away' will certainly give pleasure to girls and -boys-alike."--SATURDAY REVIEW. - - - - - BY THE AUTHOR OF "MADEMOISELLE MORI" &c. - - - KINSFOLK AND OTHERS - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. O. MURRAY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -A study in the conflicting duties that claim the obedience of Olive -Garth, who has been brought up from her earliest days by her -grandmother, and whose mother returns from Australia after an absence of -seventeen years. - - - - BANNING AND BLESSING - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -Descriptive of country life on the confines of wild Dartmoor, at the -beginning of the present century. The banning of Lois Smerdon, the -black witch, at length comes to an end, and so plentiful are the -blessings which follow that all ends happily and full of promise for the -future. - -"A capital specimen of a book for girls."--SATURDAY REVIEW. - - - - A LITTLE STEP-DAUGHTER - -With Six Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -"A Little Step-daughter" is descriptive of life in the South of France -in the early part of the eighteenth century. - -"The anonymous authoress of 'Mademoiselle Mori' is one of the most -delightful of writers for girls. Her books are characterised by a -delicacy of touch rarely met with."--STANDARD. - - - - - BY M. & C. LEE - - Authors of "The Oak Staircase," "Joachim's Spectacles," &c. - - - - THE FAMILY COACH - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A story of a family of children, their schemes and plans, and the -misfortunes that consequently ensue, in the course of a journey from -London to Mentone, where they are to meet their parents, who have just -returned from India. - -"'The Family Coach' is as attractive within as without."--TIMES. - - - - GOLDHANGER WOODS - -A Child's Romance. With Two Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -"Goldhanger Woods" is the story of the romantic adventure of a young -girl a hundred years ago among a band of desperate smugglers. - -"This 'child's romance' is ingeniously planned and well -executed."--SPECTATOR. - - - - MRS. DIMSDALE'S GRANDCHILDREN - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A large number of old Mrs. Dimsdale's grand children are gathered -together one Christmas time at the Downs House in Sussex. Milly, in -emulation of Aunt Hetty, writes a play, and this receives a preliminary -public reading by Aunt Hetty. Difficulties intervene, but everything -comes right in the end, and the story concludes with the acting of -Milly's play. - -"Full of stir and spirit."--GUARDIAN. - - - - - BY M. BRAMSTON - - Author of "A Woman of Business," "Rosamond Ferrars," &c. - - - - ABBY'S DISCOVERIES - -With Three Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -The story of the successive discoveries, in very ordinary matters, that -little Abigail made in her earliest years, and the meaning and lessons -which they have for all those concerned in bringing up the young. - -"We have not seen a better book about the feelings and experiences of -childhood than this since we read the 'My Childhood' of Madame -Michelet."--SPECTATOR. - - - - A VILLAGE GENIUS - -A True Story of Oberammergau. With Two Full-page Illustrations by J. F. -WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -A tale of Oberammergau and of the life of Rochus Dedler, the composer of -the music that is still used at the Passion Play there. The true story -of a man who almost worshipped music, but was too tender and shy ever to -rise to the rank to which he was entitled. - -"A sympathetic and charming sketch."--BOOKSELLER. - - - - DANGEROUS JEWELS - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -The opening scenes of this story are laid in Brittany at the time of the -great French Revolution, but the scene changes, and the later chapters -give some vivid descriptions of rough life in a lonely hut on the -moorlands of Devonshire. - -"Plenty of stirring incident, and the scenes are novel and -unhackneyed."--MANCHESTER GUARDIAN. - - - - A PAIR OF COUSINS - -With Three Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -The pair of cousins are Flower Callaway, who has a weakness for -appearing interesting and attractive in the eyes of others, and Avis -Goldenlea, a healthy-minded girl of real sterling worth. "A Pair of -Cousins" contains much sensible teaching, particularly for girls of a -sentimental turn of mind. - -"The simplicity of Miss Bramston's new story is one of its greatest -charms."--SCHOOLMISTRESS. - - - - THE HEROINE OF A BASKET VAN - -With Three Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -The heroine is little Phenie, whom her father, Jonathan Redmoor, takes -with him to travel about the country in his basket van. - -"There are plenty of incidents in the tale to interest the reader, and, -as such a story should end, Phenie finds her right place after -all."--SCHOOLMASTER. - - - - UNCLE IVAN - -With Three Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -"Uncle Ivan" gives a striking and eventful picture of life in England -and Russia some forty years ago; together with some insight into the -methods of the Russian Government for dealing with political crime. - -"A charming book, and one that must give pleasure to boys and girls, not -to mention any of their elders who may take it up to pass an idle -hour."--SATURDAY REVIEW. - - - - SILVER STAR VALLEY - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -In this story Miss Bramston gives a striking and vivid picture of life -among a mining community in the Rocky Mountains. The concluding -chapters furnish a brief account of the great social and religious -improvements that eventually took place in Silver Star Valley. - -"Miss Bramston's story is spirited and interesting -throughout."--SATURDAY REVIEW. - - - - - BY C. R. COLERIDGE - - Author of "An English Squire," "The Girls of Flaxley," &c. - - - - FIFTY POUNDS - -A Sequel to "The Green Girls of Greythorpe," &c. With Four Full-page -Illustrations by W. S. STAGEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, -price 3s. - -A sequel to "The Green Girls of Greythorpe," showing what became of the -principal characters in that story after they had grown into young men -and young women. The interest of the present story, however, to the -reader is in no sense dependent on its predecessor, but rather of a kind -likely to suit elder boys and girls. - -"The book is very bright, the story never flags."--GIRLS' FRIENDLY -SOCIETY ASSOCIATES' JOURNAL. - - - - THE GREEN GIRLS OF GREYTHORPE - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A story of an old endowed institution that has come under the notice of -the Charity Commissioners, who decide that a reorganisation and -extension of the school is necessary, and that the education it affords -must be brought into harmony with modern requirements. - -"The story is very prettily told, and, although quiet in tone, contains -a full share of incident and interest."--STANDARD. - - - - MAUD FLORENCE NELLIE - -Or, Don't Care. With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. -Crown 8vo, bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A story, showing how a veritable scapegrace of a boy, Harry Whittaker, -and his careless sister, Florrie, are gradually brought to see the costs -that may be entailed by the spirit that says "Don't care" to every -gentle correction of a fault. - - - - REUBEN EVERETT - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -Miss Coleridge's "Reuben Everett" is the story of "a truant bird, that -thought his home a cage," and describes the early days of training -colleges and railways in England. - -"'Reuben Everett' is a story remarkably true to life."--RECORD. - - - - - BY MARY H. DEBENHAM - - Author of "Our New Prentice," &c. - - - - FOR KING AND HOME - -With Three Full-page Illustrations, by J. F. WEEDON. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -Of the rising in La Vendee during the great French Revolution, and of -the adventures that subsequently befell a well-to-do family there, -together with an English cousin Dorothy, who was staying at the chateau -at the time. - -"The events are well combined and cleverly conceived."--MANCHESTER -GUARDIAN. - - - - MISTRESS PHIL - -With Two Full-page Illustrations by C. O. MURRAY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -"Mistress Phil" is Phillis Juliana Cheviot, and the story describes her -stay at Waltham Cross in the year 1760, and the results that followed -from it, giving also some lively pictures of mail-coaches and -highwaymen. - -"A book good enough for anybody to read, of whatever age."--SCHOOL BOARD -CHRONICLE. - - - - A LITTLE CANDLE - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -Miss Debenham's story is concerned with Scotland in the stormy days of -Claverhouse. The "Little Candle" that throws its gentle warming beams -on all around her is Bride Galbraith, who, by her tenderness and grace, -comforts and softens the time of trial and affliction. - -"The character (of Bride Galbraith) is a very beautiful one, and Miss -Debenham has drawn it with exquisite touch."--PUBLISHERS' CIRCULAR. - - - - FAIRMEADOWS FARM - -With Two Full-page Illustrations by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -The scene is laid in Hampshire about the time of Monmouth's rebellion. -The story gives some vivid pictures of the opening at Winchester of -Judge Jeffreys' harsh campaign against the rebels, and of the clouds -that hung over the neighbourhood for a time in consequence. - -"A simple yet capitally related story, and the pathetic features are -very effectively realised."--LIVERPOOL COURIER. - -ST. HELEN'S WELL - -With Two Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -"St Helen's Well" is a story of events that followed the rising in 1745 -in favour of the Young Pretender. - -"The perils and hardships of the adventure are graphically -described."--GUARDIAN. - - - - - BY THE AUTHOR OF "STARWOOD HALL" - - - - KING'S FERRY - -In the Days of the Press-gang. With Three Full-page Illustrations by W. -S. STAGEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -Concerning a certain ship's doctor who came to Weymouth in press-gang -days, and, staying at King's Ferry, tempted Simon Lydgate, the ferryman, -to do wrong; of the punishment that fell on Lydgate, and of the joy and -peace that followed the home-coming of his boy, Wat. - -"Like its predecessors, this volume is full of picturesque pictures of -old life and manners."--TIMES. - - - - JOAN'S VICTORY - -With Two Full-page Illustrations by J. F. WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled -boards, cloth gilt, price 1s. 6d. - -Descriptive of a young woman of quick, passionate temper and stubborn -purpose, and of the means by which a young child unconsciously brought -her back to her better self and helped to soften her heart. - -"Admirably detailed. Joan is really a very powerful psychological -study."--SPECTATOR. - - - - PECKOVER'S MILL - -A Story of the Great Frost of 1739. With Five Full-page Illustrations -by W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -A story of a Jacobite conspiracy that was on foot in the time of the -great frost of 1739, showing how Silas Peckover came home from abroad -and took possession of the home of his forefathers, and how the sweet -womanliness and honesty of Mistress Ruth influenced him for good. - -"Silas Peckover is a character quite worthy of Ainsworth."--ACADEMY. - - - - CHRIS DERRICK - -A Stormy Passage in a Boy's Life. With Two Full-page Illustrations by -W. S. STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -This story supplies some lively sketches of what a mutiny often led to -at the beginning of the present century, and of the narrow shifts that -smugglers ran in escaping from the revenue officers. - -"A spirited story of adventure."--SPECTATOR. - - - - STARWOOD HALL - -A Boy's Adventure. With Two Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. -Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 2s. - -A stirring story of how an honest boy fell into the clutches of a band -of highwaymen, or "gentlemen of fortune," in the middle of the last -century. - -"The pictures of rural manners ... strike us as being extremely -life-like."--TIMES. - - - - - BY ESME STUART - - Author of "The Little Brown Girl," "The Belfry of St. Jude's," &c. - - - - THE SILVER MINE - -An Underground Story. With Four Full-page Illustrations by W. S. -STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -An account of life on the rocky Devonshire coast, an unsuccessful -attempt to reopen a disused silver mine, and a long-standing family feud -between the Redwoods and the Pennants, with the incidents that served to -bring it to an end. - -"A very bright, attractive story. The children are natural, and the -style is fresh and spirited."--JOURNAL OF EDUCATION. - - - - THE VICAR'S TRIO - -With Five Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. 6d. - -The story of how young Lord Faulconbridge, a peevish and irritable boy, -is brought to see that the rank and wealth with which he has been -endowed bring with them equally great responsibilities. - - - - CAST ASHORE - -With Four Full-page Illustrations by C. J. STANILAND. Crown 8vo. -bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -It was little Mona, who was cast ashore on the North Lancashire coast, -after the total wreck of the ship in which she was travelling under the -care of her father's servant, Hanson. How the unprincipled Jephtha -Toppin afterwards lures her away, with a view to earning a reward, and -how she is eventually rescued--both are told with considerable power and -vividness. - -"A most exciting and yet perfectly wholesome tale of -adventure."--BANNER. - - - - FOR HALF-A-CROWN - -With Four Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 3s. - -Half-a-crown is the price that Mrs. Chemmo, a retired housekeeper living -in the cathedral city of Hedderstone on an annuity from her former -mistress, pays for a little waif, Natalia, to an Italian colony in a -squalid Portsmouth alley. - -"There is a freshness and brightness about the book which too many of -the books for girls in which religious sentiments are at all introduced -lack very wofully."--PALL MALL GAZETTE. - - - - CARRIED OFF - -A Story of Pirate Times. With Four Full-page Illustrations by J. F. -WEEDON. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -It was fearless Harry Perm, the son of an Essex yeoman farmer, who was -"carried off" by Captain Henry Morgan, the famous buccaneer, and his -men, to the West Indies, where the Spanish settlements are attacked, and -adventures in plenty follow. - -"Miss Stuart has gone with the times, and has given us a vigorous and -well-told story of the days of the buccaneers."--STANDARD. - - - - - BY M. E. PALGRAVE - - Author of - "Under the Blue Flag," "Miles Lambert's Three Chances," &c. - - - - IN CHARGE - -A Story of Rough Times. With Five Full-page Illustrations by W. S. -STACEY. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth gilt, price 3s. - -A stirring story of the days when smugglers were in plenty and -free-trading (as it was called) was in full swing. - -"Full of incident and interest, very pleasantly told, and breathes an -excellent spirit throughout."--WESTERN MORNING NEWS. - - - - A PROMISE KEPT - -With Four Full-page Illustrations. Crown 8vo. bevelled boards, cloth -gilt, price 2s. 6d. - -A story with a lofty purpose, showing the amount of self-denial that is -necessary in those who leave their home and kindred to engage in -missionary work in far-off lands. - -"Its tone is elevated and serious. Its purpose is to show the need of -aiming at a high standard of life, and the failure of those who only -dream noble things."--NATIONAL CHURCH. - - - - - LOST ON THE MOOR - -By "TAFFY." With Frontispiece. Cloth boards, gilt, price 1s. - -The story of Little Jack, how he was lost on the moor in a thick fog -through his brother's disobedience, and how he was found and finally -restored to his home. - -"An evening will be very pleasantly spent and attended with much good in -reading this interesting story."--SCHOOLMASTER. - - - - - NATIONAL SOCIETY'S RECENT PUBLICATIONS - - - - THE LIFE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR - JESUS CHRIST - - - - _Illustrated from the Italian Painters of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, - and Sixteenth Centuries._ - - -A Preface has been furnished to this volume, on the Growth of Religious -Art in Italy, by Mr. F. T. PALGRAVE, who has also added Critical and -Explanatory Notes on the Pictures and their Painters. - - -Richly bound in cloth boards, bevelled, gilt edges, price 15s. - - -The Church Quarterly Review says: "This book is a perfect gem.... It -is, indeed, a relief to turn to such matchless designs as these. It -would be impossible to speak too highly of the knowledge of the history -of art, the elevation of thought, and the elegance of style which Mr. -Palgrave displays." - -The Spectator says:--"The drawings are executed with much skill; and the -chromo-lithographic process is here employed with delicacy and success. -Mr. Palgrave's notes are pertinent and instructive. His Introduction is -able and eloquent." - -The Academy says:--"This is a very beautiful book, and the -chromolithographs with which it is adorned, or rather, which are -illustrated by the text, reflect great credit on the care and skill of -all concerned in their production." - -The Athenaeum says--"Byway of preface, a highly intelligent and critical -essay on the growth, aims, and developments of religious art in Italy by -Mr. F. T. Palgrave. Each well-weighed and thoughtful sentence is worth -reading. The general purport of the book is well represented by the -title. Mr. Palgrave vouches for the beauty of the drawings made by Mr. -Goodall, from which the chromolithographs were taken.... A very -ambitious effort has been extremely successful." - -The Portfolio says:--"The eloquent and informing preface and the -critical notes on the pictures by Mr. F. T. Palgrave, are addressed to -an adult and cultured audience.... The literary part of the volume -deserves more careful consideration than is usually accorded to -letterpress penned to accompany even high-class illustrations." - -The Art Journal says:--"A work which should be the most popular, as it -must be the handsomest, of Christmas books bearing a religious -character.... Twenty-four wonderful little chromo-lithographs from -drawings made on the spot.... The volume is in every way a beautiful -one." - - -THE STORY OF THE CHILDHOOD OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d. - -THE STORY OF THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d. - -THE STORY OF THE PASSION OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d. - -THE STORY OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST. By R. E. H. 2s. 6d. - - - Each of the above four Volumes is illustrated - by Six Pictures from the Italian Painters - of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Sixteenth Centuries. - - - NATIONAL SOCIETY'S DEPOSITORY, SANCTUARY, WESTMINSTER. - - - - - - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CARRIED OFF *** - - - - -A Word from Project Gutenberg - - -We will update this book if we find any errors. - -This book can be found under: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/23892 - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one -owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and -you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission -and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth in the -General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to copying and -distributing Project Gutenberg(tm) electronic works to protect the -Project Gutenberg(tm) concept and trademark. 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