n each side of
him. He is not tied, nor confined in any way. They have no fear of his
making his escape.

Nor has he any thoughts of attempting it; though he thinks of something
else, as desperate and deadly. He will not die like a scared dog, but
as a fierce tiger; to the last thirsting for blood, to the end trying to
destroy--to kill! The oath sworn by him above on the cliff, he still is
determined on keeping.

As they conduct him out of the cave, his eyes glaring with lurid light,
go searching everywhere, till they rest upon a group some twenty paces
distant. It is composed of four persons: Crozier and Carmen,
Cadwallader and Inez, standing two and two.

At the last pair De Lara looks not, the first enchaining his attention.
Only one short glance he gives them; another to a pistol which hangs
holstered on the hip of a gold-digger guarding him.

A spring, and he has possession of it; a bound, and he is off from
between the two men, and rushing on towards the group standing apart!

Fortunately for Edward Crozier--for Carmen Montijo as well--there are
cries of alarm, shouts of warning, that reach him in time.

He turns on hearing them, sees the approaching danger, and takes
measures to avert it. Simple enough these--but the drawing of his
revolver, and firing at the man who advances.

Two shots are heard, one on each side, almost simultaneous; but enough
apart to decide which of the two who fired must fall.

Crozier's pistol had cracked first; and as the smokes of both swirl up,
the gambler is seen astretch upon the sward--the blood spurting from his
breast, and spreading over his shirt bosom!

Harry Blew, rushing forward, and bending over him, cries out:

"Dead! Shot through the heart--a brave heart too! What a pity 'twar so
black!"

"Come away, _mia querida_!" says Crozier to Carmen. "Your father will
be suffering from anxiety about you. You've had enough of the horrible.
Let us hope this is the end of it."

Taking his betrothed by the hand, he leads her down to the boat--
Cadwallader and Inez accompanying them.

All seat themselves in the stern-sheets, and wait for the diggers; who
soon after appear, conducting their prisoners, the pirate crew of the
_Condor_; short four left behind--a banquet for the _caracaras_!

CHAPTER SEVENTY NINE.

A SAILOR'S TRUE YARN.

It is the second day after the tragedy upon the isle, and the Chilian
barque has sailed away from the Veraguan coast, out of