e engaged in watching the progress of the flames, or in
endeavouring to quench them; for not only was the tower destroyed, but
the fire had communicated to the building attached to it, and that also
was rapidly being consumed.

Saltwell had too much anxiety on his mind to allow him to turn in to
take any rest, and for the greater part of the night he had walked the
deck while he beat the brig up towards the island. He became still more
anxious, as the morning approached, at the non-appearance of the boats,
and was continually hailing the look-outs to keep their eyes and ears
open to catch any sign of their coming. Colonel Gauntlett, who, of
course, was not less anxious on his niece's account, was also constantly
by his side; but the hours of night wore on, and no boats appeared. The
brig stood on towards the island, for Saltwell considered that if the
expedition was successful, there was no further reason for concealment,
and that the nearer he got the better, and that, at all events, with the
breeze which had sprung up, he could stand out of sight of land again,
before daylight. The faint outline of the island, invisible to any but
a seaman's eye, at last appeared through the darkness. Several of the
officers were collected together on the poop, looking towards it, as the
brig now lay up on the starboard tack.

"Ah, what is that?" exclaimed Saltwell, as a bright light was seen
reflected on the sky.

"Why, they have either set fire to one of their vessels, or have blown
up some fort or other. That may account for the boats' not returning."

"I don't think that is likely," observed Colonel Gauntlett. "Captain
Fleetwood would scarcely delay to attack the pirates with a lady in one
of the boats. Would you, Mr Saltwell?"

"No, sir, I would not," returned Saltwell. "You are right, and I do not
think the captain would; but still I cannot account for the fire, and it
is a large one, or we should not see it at this distance."

"I see no reason to conclude that Captain Fleetwood has anything to do
with the conflagration," observed the colonel. "I wish we could see
something of him and my little girl though. It is hazardous work he has
been on, and I do not half like it. Couldn't you fire a few guns, to
give them notice of our whereabouts? I don't see how they are to find
the ship otherwise."

"A sailor's eye is sharper than you may suppose, colonel," said
Saltwell; "and depend on it, they will keep a sharp lo