sweetness, that all present were moved.
After another pause, hardy Jack Roupall put in his word.

"The Skipper was hurt, and no marvel, to see her burning. You mustn't be
spiteful, Robin Hays,--only what hindered to get her out?"

"She was known, marked, and watched, as I am well assured of," he
replied. "Had you attempted to weigh anchor, every man on board would
have been blown to atoms. Not a life would have been spared. The men who
had charge of her are safe. I sent them to the Essex side--though they
little thought why."

Another trumpet-blast mounted with the breeze, and Robin exclaimed,

"Away, away, lads! It is not yet midnight, and no hindrance will be
offered to any who quit the island before the hour of one. Away, away!
Ye are foxes, and have earths in plenty. Away, for your lives away!"

"Away!" replied Roupall. "Whither, good Ranger? Heard ye not the
trumpet, and know ye not that every outlet will be guarded, every man on
the watch after such a sound?"

"Had your safety not been cared for, there need have been no
trumpet-blast. I pledge my faith--my life--for your security," exclaimed
Robin, energetically. "Only away, and quickly!"

One or two of the men sullenly and quietly dropped down the cliff; but
there were others who would not thus part from their captain,--sailors,
who had braved danger, disease, and death in his company; these would
not leave him now, but, as if in expectation of an attack, they looked
to their pistols and jerked their daggers sharply in their sheaths.
Dalton still remained, uncertain, perhaps, or careless as to his future
course, with Barbara still hanging on his arm, while the Jewess clung
closely to her side.

"Springall!" said Robin, "you have influence with him. Use it for his
good: his pardon is secured if he complies with the terms I have
mentioned."

"Great tidings! glad tidings!" exclaimed a hoarse voice a little above
them. "The Philistines will be overthrown, and the men of Judah triumph!
I have heard in my solitude, yea in my extremity, tidings of exceeding
gladness: and, albeit not of quick hearing, the tramp of Joshua and his
army hath come upon mine ear. Oh, ye Canaanites! ye dwellers in the
accursed land!"

"Fetch him down!" shouted Roupall.

"For your lives touch him not, but to your earths!" exclaimed Robin
impetuously. "The Gull's Nest will be no place of safety now." Then,
springing on Dalton, he snatched the pistols from his belt and flung
them in