us, and you, Madam, will be ready to help us, no doubt,"
turning to Schillie.

_Schillie._--"Yes, yes, Smart, I am quite willing. As for you, June,
mind what Smart says, and don't fret. If we could rescue those two from
all of them, think how much more likely we are to succeed now. I am only
afraid that fool Hargrave will do us a mischief. I wish it had been any
other person than her in the scrape."

_Captain._--"Now then, Madam, send them all to rest, and don't fear
anything. Smart and I are not likely to sit still while our brave
deliverers are in danger. And as for my pretty flower, I'll cut through
a wall of pirates to get at her."

_Mother._--"Then, Madame, take them all away. I assure you I cannot
sleep. I am ready to help with Schillie. Let us settle at once what is
best to be done."

They all went off most unwillingly, while we arranged that getting up
through the big cavern by the rope still concealed there, Smart should
go to the pirates' village, in as secret a manner as he could, and find
out what was best to be done, and where the prisoners were placed. No
time was to be lost. He was guided immediately to the place, not only by
the glare of the torches, but by the screams of Hargrave, and following
them cautiously, he concealed himself close by one of the windows where
they were put, and heard all that took place.

Jenny was recognised immediately, and the innocent child was frightened
almost into a fainting fit by the rough and horrid manners of these
dreadful people. But, according to Smart's account, Mrs. Hargrave was in
a mort of tantrums. He got back in safety, though with much difficulty,
and then detailed to us the following facts:

They were, as before, questioned all about themselves, and Jenny, as
before, stoutly maintained all were dead. They pointed to the child, and
smiled in scorn, but Zoe, like a brave little girl, positively refused
to say more than Jenny did, making the tears run down Smart's face as he
described the little white lips, so firm and decided; and each time, by
way of puzzling her, they put the question in a different manner, each
time she pointed to the three as if they were all.

_Smart._--"I beant one bit afeard of them two, but I am of that Mrs.
Hargrave; and it crossed my mind, when I heerd her shrieking and
squalling for you all, if I had not better put a bullet in her head just
to silence her, only I did not for ould acquaintance sake, and I seed,
by the sniggli