row in my time, never has anything pained me more," he said, as the
captain told him what had occurred. "And for you, Fleetwood, I feel
most deeply. You loved the girl, and you deserve her for the exertions
you have made to recover her. In Heaven's name, get back to your ship
and pursue the scoundrel round the world, if he goes so far. For
myself, I will remain here, and have my old carcass doctored; and if, as
you think there is a possibility of her being concealed somewhere in the
island, I will discover her, and shall be here to take charge of her,
while you, at all events, will have the satisfaction of punishing the
pirate."

Thus it was arranged; indeed, the colonel was unfit to be moved, and was
likely to fare much better in the tower, under the care of Mitchell, and
a surgeon, who was left to look after the wounded, than on board the
brig in a gale of wind.

Marianna, however, entreated that she might not be left behind on the
island. She urged that her mistress must have been carried away in the
_Sea Hawk_, and that as the _Ione_ was going in search of that vessel,
her services would certainly be required when she was recovered, which
she felt positive she would be, as she would serve as a chaperone to
Ada, should he be blessed by finding her. Fleetwood was glad to take
her with him. The first person he inquired for, after the pirates had
been overcome, was his friend Captain Vassilato.

Bowse said that he had been released with him and the Maltese, Pietro,
from the dungeon under the tower, by Colonel Gauntlett's party, and that
he had seen him charging the last band of pirates who had resisted. It
was for some time feared that he was one of those who had gone over the
cliffs, either dragged over by the pirates, or in the eagerness of
pursuit; but at length he was discovered under a wall, where he had
managed to crawl to be out of the way of the scuffle, after receiving a
severe wound on the leg from the wind of a round shot.

His delight at seeing Fleetwood, whom he thought had been killed, he
declared, restored him to health; and he insisted on being carried on
board the _Ione_, to get sooner on board his own vessel, that he might
go in chase of the pirate. Bowse also begged to be allowed to accompany
the captain.

All their arrangements being made, Fleetwood set off at the head of his
men to return to the little bay, where the boats were left. The march
back was less difficult and more rapid th