of them hurried aft, and immediately returned, dragging along
with them poor Mariano, who was just recovering from the blow given to
him by Bacri. On seeing the plight of his father and brother he made a
desperate effort to free himself, but quickly found that he was as
helpless as a child in the grasp of the three powerful men who held him.

Hassan drew a pistol and put its muzzle to the youth's temple, then,
turning to Francisco, said:--

"Lay down your arms, else I scatter his brains on the deck. Take your
choice, but see that you be quick about it."

There was that in the pirate captain's tone and look which induced
instant compliance. Francisco and his companions, at once laying down
their weapons, were seized and had their arms pinioned. Mariano was
also bound, and then their conquerors proceeded to clear the decks of
the dead and wounded. This was soon accomplished; a prize crew was
placed in the schooner; the captives, still pinioned, were transferred
to the deck of the pirate-vessel, and there left to do as they pleased,
while the captain and Bacri descended to the cabin.

Night soon after descended on the sea, the wind fell almost to a calm,
the moon shone round and full in a cloudless sky, and the vessel glided
quietly along, while the rascally crew lay conversing and smoking on her
deck, many of them bearing marks of the recent conflict, and some
sleeping as peacefully as though their hands were guiltless of shedding
human blood, and legitimate trade their occupation.

CHAPTER THREE.

REVEALS SOMETHING SURPRISING IN REGARD TO EUROPEAN FORBEARANCE AND
PIRATIC IMPUDENCE.

Seated on a gun-carriage, apart from his comrades in sorrow, Francisco
Rimini gazed in stern silence upon the moonlit sea, and thought,
perchance, of the little old lady with the rippling mouth, and the
dark-eyed daughter of his adoption.

"Your fate is a sad one," said a deep voice close to his side.

Francisco started, and looked round with indignant surprise at Bacri.

"None the less sad that a friend has proved false, Jew," he said
sternly. "It has never been my custom to call any of your race `dog,'
as too many of my creed have done in time past, but I am tempted to
change my custom this night."

"To misname me would do you no good and me no harm," replied the Jew
gravely. "My race is an accursed one as far as man is concerned, but
man's curse is of no more value than his blessing."

"If these arms were free, Bac