bring you on board. You, lady, who have been
the cause of the disaster we have suffered, who have already so nearly
proved my destruction."

He ground his teeth as he spoke, and the two defenceless girls saw that
he was working himself up to the same awful pitch of fury to which he
had given way when he so barbarously wounded Nina.

"But where is this wretched youth?" he continued. "Here, Momolo--
Balbo," calling to some of his officers, "seize Signor Paolo, and drag
him here. Take care that he does not leap overboard to avoid you. He
has performed an act, by which he has well merited death, and he knows
his guilt is discovered."

While those he spoke to were absent obeying his orders, he stood at the
door of the cabin, grasping his sword, as if he meditated a dire and
speedy vengeance. Nina sprung towards him and clasped his arm.

"Oh! you will not injure him--you will not--you cannot kill my brother!
He has committed a great fault--but his death will not remedy it. Say,
for my sake--say, for her sake--for she wishes not his destruction--you
will forgive him?"

While Nina was thus pleading for her brother, he was brought in by four
of the crew, who, supposing that he had been found guilty of treachery--
the only crime in a pirate's eye--stood over him with their drawn
daggers in their hands, to execute, at the moment, the chief's commands.
Zappa shook her off without answering her.

"So, signor, you have dared to drag hither the glittering bait which has
already allured a host of enemies to attack us; and while I would have
left her as their prize, and escaped in safety from what you have done,
they will still continue their pursuit, nor desist till they have
destroyed us all. From the number of men engaged in the attack, there
must, doubtless, be many ships in chase of us, whereas, had you not
committed this mad act, we might have gone our way unmolested. Such is
your crime and its consequences; and if I deliver you up to the crew,
and explain what you have done, they will save me the trouble of being
your executioner. Take him on deck," he said, in Romaic, to the men who
held Paolo. "I will follow shortly; and you may, meantime, make
preparations to deal with a traitor."

The pirates were dragging the miserable man away, when Ada, who though
she knew not the words which were used, comprehended their meaning,
sprang from her seat and grasped Paolo's arm, to prevent his being
carried off.

"Stay,"