a the old man's
observations. "Who is she, friend?"

"Who is she? Why, the wife, or mistress, or lady love, or whatever you
like to call her, of our chief, Zappa," answered Vlacco.

"Ah?" ejaculated the Maltese, and he turned to one of his companions,
and interpreted what he had heard in a language Vlacco did not
understand.

It seemed much to affect the man, who was a young, dark-skinned Maltese,
though with features more of the European cast than theirs generally
are. He spoke a few words to the interpreter, who then said--

"But, tell me, my friend, is the lady you speak of a Greek of these
islands, or a stranger? We are anxious to know who our intended
benefactress is."

"I don't see how it matters to you, who or what she is, provided she is
of service to you," returned the pirate. "But as you want to know, I'll
tell you, she's a foreigner, and our chief seems very fond of her; and
she is of him, I should think, by the way she looks at him. Will that
answer serve you?"

The interpreter repeated what he had heard to his companion, who was
evidently greatly agitated, though he tried to master his feelings, so
as not to allow them to attract the attention of the islanders. He was
able to say a few words to the interpreter, who immediately asked--

"Has the lady been long in the island, or has she lately arrived,
friend?"

"I am not going to answer any more of your questions," replied old
Vlacco, who had gradually been losing the little amiability he ever
possessed. "I don't know why I said anything at all to you. My orders
were to see you safely into the lady's tower, where I must lock you up;
and, as soon as our chief comes back, if he takes my advice, he'll heave
you all off the top of the cliff together."

"What, is your chief absent then?" said the Maltese, with a gleam of
satisfaction in his countenance.

"He is," replied Vlacco.

"Where has he gone, friend?" asked the persevering interpreter.

"Hough," was all the old pirate would answer.

"When do you expect him back, friend?" inquired the interpreter.

To this Vlacco would not deign a "Hough;" but looked as if he was very
much inclined to shove his interlocutor over the cliff.

This put an effectual stop to further conversation with any of the
islanders; but the strangers continued every now and then, making
observations to each other in a low tone, as they proceeded on their way
to the tower.

Old Vlacco hurried them on to the ca