that," he answered.

"So they have, grandfather," she replied. "I have seen that she is a
brig long ago; but I want to know whether she is the _Sea Hawk_, or a
stranger."

"A stranger would scarcely be running directly for the port, as that
vessel is; and it is about the time we may expect our chief's return,"
answered old Vlacco; "so, if one was unable to distinguish that brig
below there from any other, we might conclude that she was the _Sea
Hawk_."

The young Italian stood by, anxiously listening to these observations,
for her heart beat eagerly for the return of him who commanded the
vessel of which they spoke, and dark were the forebodings of disaster
which oppressed her at his long absence.

"Then you think she is the _Sea Hawk_?" exclaimed Mila. "I pray she may
be, for the sweet lady's sake."

"If she is not, they have cleverly imitated her to deceive an old
seaman's eyes," returned the old Greek. "You may tell the lady, that,
to the best of my belief, yonder vessel is our chief's; but it is
necessary to be cautious, when our strength is so much diminished by the
absence of many of our best men, and when the cursed Turks are sweeping
off the inhabitants from many of the neighbouring islands; and even the
British have taken upon themselves to interfere with some of the
domestic concerns of our friends."

Nina clasped her hands with an expression of thankfulness, as Mila
explained to her what her grandfather had said, her eyes all the time
watching the vessel.

"Ah!" she exclaimed. "Surely there is a flag flying from the mast-head.
That must be a signal to us."

The old Greek again examined the vessel with his telescope.

"It is, lady--it is the rover's flag, under which I have fought in many
a hard-contested battle," he exclaimed with animation. "No one else
would venture to carry that banner, and we will assemble his followers
to receive him with honour. Lady, do you retire to the chamber in the
tower, where he will, doubtless, hurry on his arrival, and it might
anger him were you not there to welcome him."

Mila repeated what had been said.

"Tell your grandfather I would go down to the beach to receive his chief
the instant he sets foot on shore," said Nina, with greater resolution
in her tone than she had hitherto expressed when speaking.

The old pirate understood what she said, and turned round on her with an
angry frown, which showed that he was a person whom, in his less amiable
mood