t was
finally determined to take a middle course, by steering into the pass
between Capri and Campanella, in the expectation that when the leading
English boats reached the point of the latter, they would abandon the
pursuit as hopeless and return to the ship.

"We can land you, dearest Ghita, at the Marina Grande of Sorrento; then
your walk to St. Agata will be neither long nor painful."

"Do not mind me, Raoul; put me on the land at the nearest place, and go
you to your vessel. God has relieved you from this great jeopardy, and
your duty is to strive to act as it is evident he intends you to do. As
for me, leagues will be light, if I can only be satisfied that thou art
in safety."

"Angel! Thou never thinkest of self! But not afoot this side of Sorrento
will I quit thee. We can pull thither in an hour or two; then I shall
feel that I have done a duty. Once ashore, Etooelle and I can set our
little sail, and will run out to sea between the two islands. No fear
but what we can do that, with this land breeze; after which, a few
rockets burned will tell us where to find le Feu-Follet."

Ghita again remonstrated, but in vain. Raoul persisted, and she was
obliged to submit. The conversation now ceased; the two men plying the
oars diligently, and to good effect. Occasionally they ceased, and
listened to the sounds of the oars in the frigate's boats, all which
were evidently collecting in the vicinity of the point or cape. By this
time the yawl had the extremity of the land abeam, and it soon passed
so far into the Bay as to bring most if not all the pursuers astern. In
the darkness, with no other guide than the sounds mentioned, and with so
many pursuers, there was some uncertainty, of course, as to the position
of all the boats; but there was little doubt that most of them were now
somewhere in the immediate vicinity of Campanella. As Raoul gave this
point a good berth, and his own progress was noiseless, this was
bringing himself and companions, after their recent dangers, into
comparative security.

More than an hour of steady rowing followed, daring which time the yawl
was making swift way toward the Marina Grande of Sorrento. After passing
Massa, Raoul felt no further uneasiness, and he requested Carlo
Giuntotardi to sheer in toward the land, where less resistance from the
breeze was met with, and where it was also easier to know the precise
position. Apprehension of the boats now ceased, though Ithuel fancied,
fr