e returned this greeting
courteously.

"Ah! Vlacco, old friend, I rejoice to see you strong and well," he
said, cordially holding out his hand; and in like manner he spoke to
others of the band. Whatever he was in other places, and whatever
opinion the reader may have formed of him, he was, among his own people,
and on board his own ship, in every respect, the chieftain. There was a
boldness and independence, even a dignity in his manner, which awed
inferior spirits, and made them willingly obey him, though he might have
been at the time thoroughly destitute of every quality which constitutes
true greatness of character. Zappa had always been successful. It was
the cause of his rise--the only secret of his power. He had been
fortunate in his first speculation--an attack on an unarmed merchantman,
most of whose crew were on shore. He carried off a rich booty, and had
the opportunity of boasting of his deeds among those who would willingly
have shared in them. His fame spread. He collected followers, and
became a chieftain.

The eyes of the old pirate brightened, and a smile even lighted up his
grim visage, as he received this mark of his leader's regard.

"Yes, I am proud to repeat, that all has gone well during the time you
have been away," he replied.

"And the Lady Nina," said Zappa, taking the old man aside, "has she
appeared to grieve for my absence, and for that of her brother?"

"Grieve--indeed, she has--so says my grandchild Mila. She has done
nothing but sigh and sob, and look out on the sea all day long; but
whether it was for you or her brother she mourned I cannot say," was old
Vlacco's answer.

"Well, I will--I must try and dry her tears now, so I'll to the tower,"
said the pirate, taking the path up the ravine. "Come, Paolo, we'll go
and see how fares your sweet sister."

But Paolo had disappeared. The moment he had touched the shore, while
the chief was addressing his followers, he had slipped off, and with
quick steps had hurried up the ravine. He was already out of sight,
winding his way up the steep ascent which led to the tower. Zappa was
excessively angry at this; for he wished to be the first to salute Nina,
and he was afraid her brother would inform her of things of which he
wished her, at present, to be kept in ignorance. He therefore hurried
after him, followed at a distance by Vlacco and his band, who could in
no way keep pace with his vigorous and active steps. He hoped t