s. I will accompany you to
your boat, if you have one prepared, and, when you have gone, I will
endeavour to deceive those who attempt to follow you. Further, I know
not how to aid you."

"We are grateful to you for your promised aid," said Fleetwood; "and
now, lead on, we can ill afford further delay."

"It is for the lady's sake I act," muttered Paolo, beginning to move
onward down the path.

Ada overheard him. "It is because you are generous, and would preserve
the lives of others, even though you risk your own," she said, in a low
tone, touching his arm. "But if there is danger in remaining here, come
with us. You can be conveyed in safety to your native country, and can
ascertain if your father yet lives."

"What! and leave my unhappy sister to her fate?" said the young man,
turning round his countenance towards her, which, even with the faint
light afforded by the moon, she observed wore an expression of the
deepest grief. "I have but one object to live for,--for her sake alone
I consent to endure existence. Do not ask me to quit her."

"Oh that she would have come too," said Ada. "She might yet be saved."

"She would not accompany you, lady," answered Paolo. "Pirate though he
is, Zappa is still her husband, and no power would now make her quit
him. But I delay you, and increase the risk of discovery, already
sufficiently great, by speaking. I will say no more, but that I pray,
when in safety in your native land, you will not forget the unhappy
exile whom once you knew, and who would gladly have died to serve you."

He spoke as they walked on, and a few minutes more brought them to the
mouth of the ravine, whence a full view of the moonlit bay lay before
them.

The _Sea Hawk_ and two misticos were at their anchors. No light
appeared on board either of them, nor was there any one moving, that
Fleetwood could discover, on their decks; nor was the slightest noise
heard, except the low, gentle ripple of the untiring water on the sands;
yet so smooth and glass-like was the sea, that every star in the heavens
seemed reflected on its surface. He could distinguish, also, the dark
boats drawn up on the beach; but he looked in vain for the one his
friends were to secure, in which to make their escape.

"They have, with due caution, carefully concealed her," he said to
himself. "When we get more to the left, we shall doubtlessly see her."

On descending to the sands, they turned, therefore, sharp rou