for I know your vile natures, to have
murdered them for the sake of the gold still in their possession. Take,
therefore, the consequences.'

"As he uttered these words he drew two pistols from his belt, one in
each hand, and, levelling them at the heads of the men, they uttered a
shriek for mercy, as their eyes caught the direction of his hands; but
it was too late. Ere they could spring back, he fired, and they fell
dead at his feet.

"`Cast the bodies overboard, and let their boat go adrift. We will keep
no memorial of the wretches,' he exclaimed; then, turning to me, he
observed, `You see, Paolo, how we treat traitors; and let me tell you,
you have had a narrow escape; and your sweet sister--I tremble to think
what her fate would have been. Had I not fortunately found you, you
would not have been allowed to live another day, and let this be a
lesson to you for the future.'

"Two days afterwards we reached the island, and Zappa quieted my
sister's anxiety, by promising to gain information respecting our
father's health. He did so, and the reply was, that he was dead. I
remained still subservient to the pirate. I would not desert my unhappy
sister, and I could not break through the fetters the pirate had thrown
around me. He confides in me, and insists on my accompanying him on his
expeditions, when I can render great assistance to his men from my
knowledge of surgery; and I am at times able to mitigate the fate of
those who fall into his power. Had I the will also, my oath would
prevent my betraying him, and thus, signora, you will be able to account
for my appearance on board the speronara, and afterwards in the _Sea
Hawk_. Such, lady, is the outline of my unhappy history--"

"And one on which it would have been wiser for you to have held
silence!" exclaimed a voice behind him; and, looking up, he and Ada
beheld the tall form of Zappa standing in the doorway. He advanced into
the room, making a low reverence towards her, at the same time that he
stretched out his hand in the direction Paolo was standing. "Go,
foolish youth!" he exclaimed, in a tone in which contempt blended with
anger. "You will some day try my patience more than I can bear."

The young Italian stood for an instant irresolute--his bosom heaving
with emotions of pride and indignation, and his lips parted, as if he
would have defied his tyrant; he felt, too, that he was in the presence
of the woman for whom he had declared his love, a