onder black ledge, which shows its threatening summit a few
feet only above the water--there is a passage between it and another
reef further to the southward, through which we shall easily pass,
provided the wind does not fail us altogether; and if so, we must rouse
the hands up and take to our sweeps."

"It is a dangerous place, though, captain, and one I would rather not
venture into, unless I was very sure of my weather," replied the mate.
"Even now, if it was to come on to blow, it would be no easy matter to
get clear."

"No fear of that, my friend; I who brought the craft into this place
will take her safely out again, let the wind blow with its greatest
fury. A gale is what we have day and night been praying for; and let
one come, the gallant _Sea Hawk_ will brave it, and laugh at her
enemies. But tell me, Baldo, how do the people like this hide-and-seek
life? It is not what they have been accustomed to under my command."

"They wonder what your intentions are," answered the mate. "They say
that, by sailing westward, as you propose, we are more likely to meet
with our enemies, than if we kept among the islands to the northward,
where we have friends."

"The very reason I would avoid the locality," said Zappa. "We shall
certainly be sought for there; whereas, no one will expect to find us in
the broad seas to the west; and remind them besides, that where we are
going, we shall, without doubt, fall in with some richly-laden
merchantmen, which will amply repay all hands for their losses."

"There is reason in that, captain; I dare say it will content the men,"
said the mate. "But while I am on the subject, there is another
complaint which they have to make."

"What is it?" asked the pirate, angrily, for he did not like his mate's
tone. "I love not to hear complaints."

"The stranger lady," replied the mate.

"Well, what of her?" inquired the captain.

"She has brought us all into this scrape," continued Baldo.

"So it is said, is it?" remarked the captain, with a dark frown.

"No one knows why she was brought on board," continued the mate,
speaking fast, to say what he wished, before any further interruption
occurred. "Some say that Signor Paolo brought her here; but it is
supposed that he did so according to your orders."

"They do, do they?" said Zappa, compressing his lips. "And now, tell we
what would they have done?"

"They would have you get rid of her," answered the mate, boldly.

"I