l who saw the accident.

"He may not be killed though, sir," said Job Truefitt. "If I may, I'll
look for him."

Ronald gave him leave. There were numbers of ropes hanging over the
frigate's quarter. Job swarmed up by one of them, and directly after
appeared with the captain, about whose body he had secured a rope. He
lowered him down into the boat, and followed immediately. Still numbers
of the crew remained. Many who had gone below hearing that there were
boats alongside, came up with the hopes of escaping. When the already
overloaded boats pulled away their rage and despair knew no bounds.
They were seen standing on the hammock-nettings, or in the mizzen
rigging, shaking their fists and uttering the most dreadful imprecations
on the heads of those whom they considered were deserting them. As it
was, the boats were so full that not another person could have been
received on board with safety.

Morton gave the orders for the boats to pull back to the "Scorpion." It
was heavy work, for there was a strong wind and a heavy sea; but the
crews encouraging each other cheerfully pulled on.

What joy filled Morton's heart at having been the means of preserving
Edda's life and that of her father and mother! He did not press her to
say much; but a few words explained how they came to be on board the
French frigate.

Her feelings were not dissimilar to his. She was with him again, and
she had no fear for the future.

Pedro Alvarez, too, was perfectly satisfied with having been taken
prisoner, when he found from Colonel Armytage who was his captor. "The
very man I wished to meet," he said to himself. "He will tell me where
his father is to be found, and Rolf Morton is an important witness in
proving the claim of my poor Hernan. Where can he be though? Probably
he had gone with the boats to the assistance of some of the other ships,
and was not aware of our danger."

Just before daylight the boats reached the "Scorpion." The ladies were
carried below to obtain that rest they so much required, and Ronald
accommodated the rest of the party as well as he could.

Pedro Alvarez at once went up to him and claimed his acquaintance. "I
wish to tell you of circumstances with which it is important you should
be acquainted without delay," he said. "I know that you have every
reason to be interested in Donna Hilda Escalante, known as the Lady of
Lunnasting."

Ronald was all attention. He knew how really interested