ed that he was thankful for the
offer made to him, and gladly accepted it. At this the captain summoned
a couple of men who were waiting outside with a litter, and lifting Jack
upon it, without allowing him much time to bid farewell to his
companions, they carried him off. The midshipmen were greatly afraid
that he would exact a promise from them not to attempt to escape. They
were therefore greatly relieved when they saw him take his departure,
leaving them at liberty to act as they thought best. They immediately
consulted what should be done, and agreed, for his sake as well as their
own, that they should endeavour to make their way to Port Royal as soon
as possible, and despatch an expedition to destroy the nest of pirates.

Deane's bearers carried him along through the cocoanut grove for some
distance, when they came before a cottage far superior in appearance to
any of those he had before passed. A garden in front bloomed with
flowers, and a wide verandah afforded shade to the rooms within.
Deane's heart beat somewhat quicker than usual as he saw these and other
signs of the presence of females.

"Here, dame, is a man who wants looking after. It will be to your and
fair Bessy's taste, and he will be grateful I doubt not. He was brought
in here some time since on board a prize, and if it had not been for me,
he and his companions would have been food for sharks by this time."

Jack heard these words spoken as his bearers reached the door of the
cottage. He had little difficulty in recognising the voice of Master
Pearson, though perhaps had he not previously seen that individual he
might not have done so. Pearson, for some reason or other, kept out of
sight, and Deane found himself carried into a room and placed on a couch
formed out of bamboos. The room was, however, in other respects richly
furnished, with silk hangings, and gold and silver ornaments of all
descriptions, quite out of character with the general appearance of the
building.

"Dare, massa, you will do well," said one of the negro bearers, with a
good-natured expression of countenance. "Soon lily-white lady come look
after you. I is 'Tello, you remember me, massa; I love Englishmen."

Jack was not left long alone. Scarcely had the negroes taken their
departure when he heard footsteps approaching the door. His heart beat
quickly, for he fully expected to see Elizabeth Pearson, who he could
not help persuading himself was an inhabitant o