people on board the vessel if those wretches in the mistico get near
her? See! they are my countrymen, too, for there flies the red ensign
of England."

The ensign had been hoisted as the brigantine fired; but while watching
the Greek vessel she had not observed it. The English, undaunted, set
up a loud cheer, as they again run out their guns; but the pirates,
taught by experience, pulled round under her stern, where her guns could
not reach them, and let fly their own long pieces at them. As they were
much lower than she was, the shot injured no one on deck; but flew
through the fore-topsail. They did not again attempt to fire; but
trusting to their vast superiority of numbers, they dashed boldly
alongside, with the object of carrying her by boarding. The English had
time to get one of their guns over to the starboard side, on which the
mistico boarded them, and to fire directly down into her, before the
pirates were able to leap up their side.

It was too late, however, to save them. The Greeks swarmed over the
bows and quarters, and up the side, their swords in their teeth, and
though the English seamen fought in a manner worthy of their name, Ada
saw, with anguish, that they were quickly cut down or overpowered,
pressed upon by overwhelming numbers, and in three minutes the islanders
had full possession of the vessel. It made her heart sick as she beheld
the catastrophe, which she had hoped against probability, might have
been averted. Intensely interested as she was to learn the fate of her
countrymen, her agitation prevented her from seeing more, and obliged
her to withdraw her eyes from the painful sight. Marianna, however,
took her place at the telescope.

"Oh, signora!" she exclaimed, "the saints protect us! But those cruel
wretches are throwing the bodies of the poor English they have murdered
overboard, before even their hearts can have ceased to throb. Wicked
villains! I hope they won't treat the living in the same way."

"I'm afraid none remained alive," said Ada, shuddering. "But what are
they doing now?"

"They seem engaged in making their own vessel fast to the other, to
prevent her from sinking, I suppose. I wish they may both go down to
the bottom together. It would serve the wretches right."

"God will punish them in His own good time, or the power of civilised
nations will be exerted to perform His will," replied Ada. "Our
religion teaches us, remember, not to wish evil even t