t is what I am about to do," returned the captain. "I purpose landing
her at Cephalonia."

"What, without a ransom!" exclaimed Baldo.

"With or without a ransom, as the case may be," said Zappa, coldly.

"If without a ransom, there would be a more speedy way of getting rid of
her, and would better satisfy them," observed the mate, with a dogged
look, in which a certain amount of fear was mingled, with audacity. "We
want no women on board--all has gone ill when we have had them," he
muttered, in a lower tone, which the captain, however, did not fail to
hear.

"Speak out--what mean you?" he asked fiercely.

"That the deep sea will be the safest place for her, where she will not
trouble us more," exclaimed the mate, half trembling as he uttered the
words, for there was something in Zappa's look which warned him he had
better not say them.

Somewhat to his surprise, however, his captain suppressed whatever
feelings inspired him.

"And such is the wish of the crew, that I should destroy an innocent
girl, who has trusted to me, and, perhaps, they would desire me to cast
my wife also into the sea, to gratify their anger, because we have met
with a reverse to which all are subject. Well, tell them I will think
about the matter."

"They insist on having your instant decision, captain. Some of them
have friends in an island not far off, and they declare that they will
land, and leave you and the craft to take care of each other, if you
refuse to grant their request. Some even venture to whisper words about
deposing you, and sending you to look after your mistresses."

"And you, the loudest whisperer of them all," exclaimed the pirate, in a
fierce tone, so loud, that, had not those to whom it related been
absorbed in their own conversations, they must have been startled by it.
"That I slay you not this instant, you have to thank the critical
position in which the ship is placed. Go, tell them that I, Zappa,
their chief, intend to remain their captain as long as the _Sea Hawk_
floats proudly on the ocean, or till I absolve them from their
allegiance. Go, tell them this, and think well before you again venture
to be the bearer of such a message from the crew. First, get a pull on
the braces; we must luff all we can, to get through yonder passage."

Baldo, without venturing to answer, hurried to execute the order; and,
as soon as the yards were braced sharp up, after giving a glance at his
chief, who he had so lat