s, that the
schooner was preparing to run a cargo of Circassian girls, the trade
having been, as we have already shown, made contraband by the
Russians.

At last the clipper seemed to have received all on board that she
expected in the shape of passengers, but still stood off and on for
some reason until the breaking day began to tinge the mountain tops
beyond Anapa; when a last boat with five persons, one of whom was a
female, came down to the clipper which was thrown in the wind's eye
long enough for those to get on board, or rather for three of them
to do so; and then, as the other two pulled back to the shore, the
schooner gradually came round under the force of her topsail, and
one sail after another was distended and sheeted home until she
looked to those on shore as though enveloped in canvas, and drove
over the waters like a flying cloud.

One of those who pulled away from the schooner as she lay her
course, would have been recognized by the reader as Krometz; and now
half way to the landing he motioned his companion to cease rowing,
while he paused himself and looked after the receding clipper with a
strange medley of expression pictured in his face.

"Give way, give way," said his companion at last, somewhat
impatiently; "one would think, by the way you look seaward, that you
would like to head in that direction instead of pulling into the
harbor."

"You are right, comrade. I do wish that yonder clipper was carrying
me away from here."

"You are a queer fellow, Krometz, to let that girl make you so
unhappy, but she's off now, and will probably bring up in some
Turkish harem, where she will end her days. Not so bad a fate
either," continued the oarsman. "Surrounded by every luxury the
heart could wish or the imagination conceive, it's a better lot than
either yours or mine."

"Well, say no more of this, and remember the utmost secrecy is to be
observed, for that tiger of an Aphiz will hunt us to death if he
does but suspect that we had a hand in the business."

"Our disguise was sufficient," said the other, "and by-the-way, we
may as well get rid of this black stuff now;" and as he spoke he
dashed the water from alongside upon his face and hands, and removed
a coat of black from them.

"Now give way again; let us get in, and separate before any one is
stirring abroad."

Leaving Krometz and his companion to pursue their own business, and
the clipper craft with her course laid for the Sea of Marmora