rably, thus exposing the mistico much longer
to the fire of the brig, which now opened upon her at the same time with
musketry. Several of the shot had told with dire effect, and those on
board the _Ione_ could perceive that many of the pirates had been killed
or wounded. At last a round shot struck the mainmast, and down came the
mainsail on deck. The pirates, seeing that all hopes of escaping in the
vessel were gone, were observed to leap overboard in an endeavour to
gain the shore by swimming, in which many of them succeeded, though some
in the attempt were swept out by the current, which still set to the
westward, and sunk to rise no more.

The mistico, deprived of the guiding power of the helm, and without any
after sail, ran off the shore before the wind, in the direction the
current was likewise drifting her. She thus passed at no great distance
from the _Ione_, which had reached her too late to prevent the
catastrophe. Captain Fleetwood, and all on board, were anxiously
watching her as she drew near them. On her deck two forms only were
seen. Near the shattered mainmast lay the pirate Zappa; the hue of
death was on his countenance, and his side, torn and mangled by a
round-shot, told that he was beyond all human help. He was not deserted
in his utmost need. The unhappy Nina, faithful even to death, knelt
over him. His hand was locked in hers. Her eyes watched the last faint
gleam of animation which passed over those much-loved features. She
recked not of her own agony, for a purple stream issuing from her neck,
told where a bullet had done its fatal work on her.

In vain she tried to conceal it from her husband. It was the last sight
he beheld, and it added to his dying pangs to know that she also had
suffered for his crimes. Once more he opened his eyes, now growing dim
with the shades of death. He beheld the look of unutterable love fixed
on him, and in that, his last moment, he understood what he had before
so little prized. He attempted to press her hand, but his strength
failed him in the effort, his fingers relaxed their hold, and Nina,
wildly calling on his name, received no answering look in return. Again
and again she called, then with an agonised scream, which was heard even
on board the ships of war, and which made the hearts of the rough seamen
sink within them, so fearful did it sound, she fell prostrate across the
lifeless body of the pirate.

The _Ione_ soon ran close to the mis