ly
barricaded, and some large pieces of rock, which had been rolled into
the passage, piled against it. Francisco then posted the five men down
the banks of the river, at a hundred yards' distance from each other, to
give notice of the approach of the boats. It was about ten o'clock at
night, when Francisco and Diego descended the ladder and went to examine
their outposts.

"Senor," said Diego, as he and Francisco stood on the bank of the river,
"at what hour is it your idea that these villains will make their
attempt?"

"That is difficult to say. If the same captain commands them who did
when I was on board of her, it will not be until after the moon is down,
which will not be till midnight; but should it be any other who is in
authority, they may not be so prudent."

"Holy Virgin! senor, were you ever on board of that vessel?"

"Yes, Diego, I was, and for a long while, too; but not with my own good
will. Had I not been on board I never should have recognised her."

"Very true, senor; then we may thank the saints that you have once been
a pirate."

"I hope that I never was that, Diego," replied Francisco, smiling; "but
I have been a witness to dreadful proceedings on board of that vessel,
at the remembrance of which, even now, my blood curdles."

To pass away the time, Francisco then detailed many scenes of horror to
Diego which he had witnessed when on board of the _Avenger_; and he was
still in the middle of a narrative when a musket was discharged by the
farthermost sentinel.

"Hark, Diego!"

Another, and another, nearer and nearer to them, gave the signal that
the boats were close at hand. In a few minutes the men all came in,
announcing that the pirates were pulling up the stream in three boats,
and were less than a quarter of a mile from the landing-place.

"Diego, go to the house with these men, and see that all is ready," said
Francisco. "I will wait here a little longer; but do not fire till I
come to you."

Diego and the men departed, and Francisco was left on the beach alone.

In another minute, the sound of the oars was plainly distinguishable,
and Francisco's ears were directed to catch, if possible, the voices.
"Yes," thought he, "you come with the intentions of murder and robbery;
but you will, through me, be disappointed." As the boats approached, he
heard the voice of Hawkhurst. The signal muskets fired had told the
pirates that they were discovered, and that, in all probability,