ning houses outside. The temptation to join in the sack of the town
had been too much for Hornigold's remaining men, consequently he and
those conveying Senora Agapida alone attended the prisoners. These last,
after throwing the duenna recklessly upon the floor, hurried out after
the rest, leaving the officers and women alone.

"Silence!" roared Morgan, as his eye fell upon the group entering the
lower end of the great hall. "Pipe down, thou bellowing bull!" he
shouted, throwing a silver cup that Cellini might have chased, at the
head of the half drunken Teach. "Who's there? Scuttle me, 'tis our
spitfire and the gallant captain, with that worthy seaman Hornigold!
Advance, friends. Thou art welcome to our cheer. Drive them forward,
Hornigold," he cried, as he saw Mercedes and Alvarado made no attempt to
move.

"Advance quickly," whispered Hornigold to Alvarado; "to cross him now
were death."

Seizing them with a great show of force he shoved them down the hall to
the foot of the platform, in front of the revellers.

"I welcome thee to our court, fair lady, and you, brave sir. What say
ye, gentles all? Rum for the noble captain, here, and wine for the
lady," called out Morgan, bowing over the table in malicious mockery.

"I drink with no murderer," said Alvarado firmly, thrusting the negro,
who proffered him a glass, violently aside with his shoulder, causing
him to topple over, drenching himself with the liquor.

"Ha! Is it so?" laughed Morgan in a terrible manner. "Hark'ee, my young
cock, thou shalt crave and beg and pray for another drink at my hand
presently--and get it not. But there is another cup thou shalt drink,
ay, and that to the dregs. Back, you! I would speak with the lady. Well,
Donna Mercedes," he continued, "art still in that prideful mood?"

Silence. The girl stood erect, disdainfully looking him full in the
face.

"I shall break thee yet, proud wench!" he shouted.

"Perhaps the demoiselle is jealous of thy present companion, Sir
Captain," sneered de Lussan smoothly in his courtliest manner.

"Scuttle me! That's well thought on," laughed Morgan. "And I'll add fuel
to the fire."

As he spoke he clasped the terrified woman on his right around the
waist, and though she struggled and drew away from him in horror and
disgust, he kissed her full upon the lips. The woman shuddered
loathingly when he released her, put her face down in her hands and
sobbed low and bitterly.

"What sayest thou to tha