ht, but do not serve
him. Again, I say, beware of him. There are secrets concerning him
that I cannot unfold. I have just been to see Jack's mother. She sends
her forgiveness and blessing to her son. God bless you, boy.--Your
loving father,

"John Smith."

My father understood human nature. No reproaches that he could have
heaped upon me would have cut half so deeply into my heart as did this
kind, forgiving letter. My heart was full. Yet I felt a deep
undercurrent of joy at knowing that my father loved me still. I looked
at Jack. He seemed to be asleep, but he was not. A single tear coursed
over his pale cheek as he looked up and whispered--

"We don't deserve this, Bob."

Before I could reply, the ship was shaken by a tremendous explosion, and
immediately after I heard the most appalling shrieks and yells on deck,
accompanied by the clashing of swords and the scuffling of men in deadly
conflict. I looked at Jack; he lay motionless, with his eyes closed.
For a moment I feared that he was dead.

"Bob Smith! Hallo! tumble up there, you skulker!" shouted a voice down
the hatchway. At the same moment two wounded men were carried into the
place, and the surgeon appeared with his horrible instruments
glittering, cold and sharp, on a wooden tray.

Seizing my cutlass, and thrusting a brace of pistols in my belt, I
rushed on deck.

STORY TWO, CHAPTER 5.

On reaching the deck I saw at once how matters stood. The Russian had
allowed us to come alongside, and then, throwing out grappling-irons,
had fired a broadside into us, and attempted to board. They were soon
overcome, however, by the pirates, and driven back into their ship,
whither they were immediately followed.

I resolved, come what might, that I would take no part in the fray; but
I was carried, in spite of myself, on board the strange vessel in the
rush that our men made when they drove their opponents back. There was
a short, sharp skirmish on the deck of the Russian, and then the crew
were driven below, and the hatches put on. I remembered having seen a
number of soldiers on board when we first came up with this vessel.
There were none now. Their mysterious disappearance struck me at first,
but I soon forgot it in the thrilling scenes that followed.

In the middle of the vessel's main-deck there was a cage of wild beasts.
How they had got there of course I knew not, but I at once concluded
the ship must have been in southern climes,