became a matter of great doubt
whether or not she would have time to get hold of her prey, and escape
back to port before the _Ione_ could come up with her.

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.

The triumph of Zappa at recovering Miss Garden was great, in proportion
to his anger against those whom he suspected to have assisted at her
escape; but once having got her again in his power, and safe inside his
well-fortified harbour, he felt as a cat does towards the unfortunate
mouse it has caught and killed--that he might leave and return to her
when he pleased, without a chance of her again running away: he
therefore hurried off to the fort, at the summit of the cliffs, to
superintend the destruction of the English flotilla, which he believed
had been sent against him; for he could not have supposed that so small
a force as was really there would have thus boldly followed him to the
very mouth of his den.

On his arrival at the fort, he found old Vlacco busily engaged in
pointing the guns to bear down on the British boats; and on his sounding
his well-known bugle, a large number of his followers collected with
their fire-arms, to assist in the defence of the post. While they all
were occupied in firing at the enemy, Vlacco sent into the tower to
bring a supply of powder for the guns, from some casks, which, with the
usual carelessness of the Greeks, had been left there without the
slightest precaution against accident. A cask was broached, and much of
the powder scattered about. After the boats had disappeared, the
pirates were retiring from the fort, when Tompion's gallant attack on
the mistico called them back, and it was at this time that a spark from
the lantern of a man, sent for a further supply of powder, fell among
the scattered grains, and produced the conflagration I have before
spoken of. As the flames burst forth, and burnt with terrific energy,
Zappa flew towards the building, in vain endeavouring to find means of
entrance. Wherever he attempted it at the door or window, the fire
drove him back. In vain he called on the name of Nina. She neither
answered nor did she appear at either of the casements. His usual calm
demeanour had completely deserted him, and he seemed like a madman as he
rushed round the building, urging his followers to bring ladders to
enable him to mount to the story, where he expected to find her. Two
were at last found, but they were far too short to be of use, and he was
soon warned to