tone of bitterness. "See you
yonder six men. Are they, think you, friends or enemies? I tell you I
do not trust them. Not long ago, I would have trusted them, as I would
have trusted their comrades who have gone to their account; and yet they
were about to destroy those two defenceless girls and you, and me, their
chief. Ah! you start! You doubtless think the shipwreck we have
suffered is a misfortune; and yet, I tell you, Paolo, that I believe by
it our lives have been preserved. I can trust to you, Paolo; and while
I sleep you must watch. To add to our security, light a small fire with
the wood you collected, and keep yourself awake by feeding it. Should
any of them move, they will clearly be seen; and perceiving that you are
awake, it will make them hesitate what to do. They know also that I
have arms--and that my pistols are never unloaded--and that you can call
me in a moment, to use them. Two hours' sleep will be sufficient for
me--you can, I hope, watch for that time."

Paolo assured Zappa that he would keep a faithful watch, for all their
sakes; and then, aided by him, he lighted a fire between themselves and
the men, while he kept a store of wood on their side to feed it as it
began to decay. The pirate, wrapping himself in a cloak, immediately
threw himself down among the stores, and was instantly fast asleep. As
Paolo stood by the fire he thought that he beheld the tall masts and
white sails of a ship gliding by, but she took no notice of the fire and
disappeared in the darkness. Thus the night passed on. He no longer
felt any sleepiness; and, as the pirate chief slept soundly, he could
not bring himself to awaken him. The first faint streaks of dawn had
just appeared in the sky when Zappa started up.

"What has occurred? Why did not you summon me. Paolo?" he exclaimed.
"Ah! you were unwilling to awaken the angry lion. I thank you, though,
for your consideration. You have kept our watch-fire in well, I
perceive. Throw more wood on it, and we will presently kindle such a
blaze as will light us on our way before the sun arises. Go, call your
sister and the English girl, your voice will alarm them less than mine.
I will rouse up my traitorous followers--for we must be away from hence
without delay. We know not what weather the morning's sun may bring."

It was still almost as dark as at midnight, when Paolo summoned the two
ladies. They soon made their appearance, prepared for their peri