heart, to feel the bitter grief her loss would inflict on him. Months,
years would pass away, her fate unknown, he still would be vainly
searching for her throughout those seas, till, perchance, some spars, or
part of the hull, might be washed on some distant shore, and recognised,
and a rumour might reach his ears of the destruction of the pirate's
bark, and the suspicions of her doom might at length be confirmed. This
thought was, perhaps, the most cruel she had to bear. These and many
more passed through her mind more rapidly than I have taken to write
them.

"She sinks, she sinks!" was the only intelligible cry which reached her
ears.

"She does not sink," was heard in answer, in Zappa's deep-toned voice.
"She floats still--come aft here, and aid me in lowering this
quarter-boat into the water."

The men he spoke to who were in the fore-rigging, could scarcely hear
his words, but they comprehended his signs and intentions. Eight of
them came aft to assist him in lowering the boat, a light gig lashed to
the main rigging. Paolo remained with his sister and her friend, to aid
them in holding on in their perilous position, in which they were
further assisted by some ropes which Zappa had fastened to the rail, and
placed in their hands. The operation required great caution, as the
only chance of her swimming was to launch her on the lee-side, or, as it
were, in board. The attempt was made. All looked on with anxiety, for
they saw that on its success their lives depended--the boat gone, they
had no other hope of being preserved. The lashings were cut adrift, the
boat was lifted up to stand on her keel, on the rigging, and her stern
was slewed round for launching, when a wave, larger than any which had
yet struck the vessel, came roaring towards them.

"Hold on for your lives, hold on," cried Zappa.

Some heard him, others, paralysed with fear, let go their hold of the
rigging, and the boat, torn from their grasp, was carried over the side,
and being stove to pieces, was washed far away from them, while several
unfortunate wretches found at the same time a watery grave.

"Lost--all lost!" was the general cry, and this time the captain did not
contradict them. The coolest and the bravest abandoned all hope. The
foaming waves dashed wildly over the vessel, the wind roared, the thick
mist enveloped them with its funereal pall; down, down she went, when a
loud crash was heard, the stout timbers and planks were