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diff --git a/23892-8.txt b/23892-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 4342945..0000000 --- a/23892-8.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: Esmè 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 - ESMÉ 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 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. - - - - - 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 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.' - - - - - 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. 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. - - - - - 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, 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. - - - - - 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, -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-- - - -'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 Señor 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, 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. - - - - - 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, 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.' - - - - - 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. - -'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!' - - - - - 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, 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.' - -[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, 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. - - - - - 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, 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. - - - - - 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 _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. - - - - - 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, 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.' - - - - - 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 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. - - - - - 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 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. - - - - - 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 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. - - - - - 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, 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.' - - - - - 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, 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. - - - - - 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, 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?' - - - [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, 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.' - - - - - 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 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. - - -'The Señor Carlo and the Señor 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, 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. - - - - - 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 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. - - - - - 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 ESMÉ 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 ESMÉ 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 ESMÉ 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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