but we must not slacken
in our exertions till it reaches us."

These encouraging words had their due effect; the crew, already
beginning to weary, aroused themselves afresh, the raft glided on, her
head turned off from the rocks; yet still she neared them, and the side
almost touched the outer ones, when the voice of the chief was again
heard.

"Hoist the sail, my men," he exclaimed. "Be quick about it, and we are
safe."

The sail was hoisted, and bulging out with the first breath of the wind
aided to keep the raft from the threatened danger. Again the wind fell,
and they once more glided towards the rock; but a stronger puff came,
and they rapidly increased their distance, till Zappa was able to steer
on a parallel line with the reef, and they shortly had the satisfaction
of seeing the dangerous point far astern. In this manner the greater
part of the voyage was accomplished, and the day drew on; but still they
were at some distance from the land.

The breeze, however, continued, and there was now little or no prospect
of their passing the island, and drifting out to sea. They were about
four miles off the nearest island, and were going at the rate of perhaps
two knots an hour through the water, when, as Nina was watching the
ever-changing countenance of the pirate, as troubled thoughts passed
through his mind, she saw him start, and shading his eyes with his hand,
cast an anxious glance towards the west. Long he looked, and as he, at
length, turned his face once more towards her, she observed a fierceness
in his eye and a stern frown on his brow, which at once aroused all her
fears.

"I see that something is again amiss," she said, looking timidly up at
him. "Oh, tell me what it is has agitated you?"

"Look there," he said. "A cause sufficient to make many a bold man,
circumstanced as I am, tremble," he replied, in a slow, determined tone,
pointing, as he spoke, towards the north-west. "Do you see yonder
stranger, which has just hove in sight?"

"I see the sails of a ship above the horizon. But what harm can she do
to us?" said Nina. "If she sees us, and takes us on board, she will
carry us to some land, whence we may proceed to Italy."

"You forget that, to the hunted pirate, all men are enemies," answered
Zappa, bitterly. "I could not venture on board a merchant-vessel,
without the risk of being recognised, and, if my eyes deceive me not,
yonder craft is no peaceful trader, but rather a British