lace, that she could not move, and
in vain Ada implored the Italian to stop for her attendant. His only
reply was--"It will be too late, and we shall be destroyed--on, on."

He seemed to be endowed with strength almost superhuman; he gained the
bottom of the steps, and rushing on, was soon among the body of the
retreating crew of the _Sea Hawk_, who were following their captain.
They all recognised Paolo, who was a favourite among them, and aided him
in supporting his burden.

"Oh where are you taking me to?" exclaimed Ada, when, too late, she
heard the sounds of the strange voices round her, and found that she was
descending the ravine.

"To happiness and freedom," he answered passionately, and pressed her
closer in his arms.

Ada, with horror, saw that she was cruelly betrayed. She shrieked
aloud, and struggled to get free; but he who bore her had pictured the
only joy he could hope for in possessing her, and intense misery without
her, and he could not bring himself to relinquish what he valued more
than life itself.

"Hear me, sweet Ada," he exclaimed, as he still bore her on. "He whom
you loved is dead, and a heart devoted as mine, is alone worthy to
occupy the place he held."

Still Ada entreated him to have mercy on her, to take her back to her
friends, who must even now be in the tower she had just quitted; but he
was deaf to all her prayers.

The gentle, timid Paolo had been sadly changed by the scenes he had
witnessed, and the burning love to which, he had madly resigned his
soul. She saw at length that all appeals to his generosity or better
feelings were vain, and overcome with horror, she fainted.

When they reached the beach, Zappa and Nina had already embarked; he
placed Ada in another boat, with the rear-guard of the pirates. They
were quickly alongside, and she was lifted on deck, still insensible,
and, without the chief seeing her, Paolo carried her in his arms below.
Instantly the brig was under weigh, and darting out of the harbour, was
hotly engaged with the _Ypsilante_.

Once on the open sea, the pirates breathed more freely, and sail after
sail, notwithstanding the strength of the breeze, was let fall from the
yards. The shot of the fort had already damaged their enemy, and now
bringing their broadside to bear on her just before she kept away in
chase, they raked her fore-and-aft, killing many of the people, and
cutting away much of her rigging.

The _Sea Hawk_ was celebrated fo