roach nearer, or being,
uncertain of the depth of water. If it was to avoid the former
inconvenience, it was too late, for, scarcely had she gone about than
her sails flapped idly against the masts, and she lay unable to make any
way at all.

Ada was now convinced that she was a stranger--a merchantman, probably,
as she judged by the cut of the sails, the short yards, and the few men
who appeared on her decks. She had two guns, it is true, but they were
of little weight of metal, and could have been of slight use in
repelling a really determined attack.

Ada trembled for her fate, when she recollected her suspicions of the
lawless character of the inhabitants of the island. As she was watching
the persons on the deck of the vessel, she saw that there was suddenly
some confusion among them; several persons hurried from below, and some
appeared to be surveying the mouth of the harbour with their telescopes.
The cause was soon apparent, for as she looked in that direction, a
long low dark object was seen to steal out from behind the rocks, like a
snake from the grass, and dart towards them.

It was one of the misticoes, with her yards and sails stowed along the
deck, and impelled by twenty long oars, pulled by twice that number of
men, while as many more stood in the after part, and at the bows, with
their matchlocks in their hands ready for use. In the bow, also, was a
long brass gun on a swivel, pointed towards the doomed vessel.

The stranger was, however, manned by no cowardly hearts. As soon as
they saw the nature of their enemy, they cast loose their two guns,
loaded them, and ran them both out on the port side, which was the one
then bearing on the shore. They knew that escape was impossible, and
that they had little hope of mercy, so they lost no time in firing, on
the chance of striking the enemy between wind and water, and compelling
him to return. Unhappily, neither shot told with much useful effect.
One struck the water just ahead of her, the other hit her gunnel and
killed two of the people, which only exasperated the others, and made
them pull the harder to get on board before receiving any other similar
visitors.

"Oh! Jesu Maria," exclaimed Marianna, hiding her eyes in her hands.
"What can be the reason that the vessel there should fire at the boat?"

"I am afraid we shall be witnesses of a dreadful scene," said Ada; "and
yet I cannot withdraw my eyes from it. Oh! what will become of the poor