k.

"Too late, Jack."

"Yes," replied Easy, sinking down on the stern sheets with a look of
despair.

"Give way, my lads, give way."

Jack returned on board and reported what he had done; also that Don
Silvio was among those liberated; and he ventured to mention his fears
of what might take place from their contiguity to the house of Don
Rebiera. Captain Wilson bit his lips: he felt that his philanthropy had
induced him to act without his usual prudence.

"I have done a rash thing, Mr Easy, I am afraid. I should have taken
them all on board and delivered them up to the authorities. I wish I
had thought of that before. We must get to Palermo as fast as we can,
and have the troops sent after these miscreants. Hands 'bout ship, fill
the main-yard."

The wind had veered round, and the _Aurora_ was now able to lay up clear
of the island of Maritimo. The next morning she anchored in Palermo
Roads--gave immediate notice to the authorities, who, wishing Captain
Wilson's philanthropy at the devil, immediately dispatched a large body
of troops in quest of the liberated malefactors. Captain Wilson,
feeling for Jack's anxiety about his friends, called him over to him on
deck, and gave him and Gascoigne permission to go on shore.

"Will you allow me to take Mesty with me, sir, if you please?" said
Jack.

"Yes, Mr Easy: but recollect that, even with Mesty, you are no match
for one hundred and fifty men, so be prudent. I send, you to relieve
your anxiety, not to run into danger."

"Of course, sir," replied Jack, touching his hat, and walking away
quietly till he came to the hatch-way, when he darted down like a shot,
and was immediately occupied with his preparations.

In half an hour our two midshipmen, with Mesty, had landed, and
proceeded to the inn where they had put up before: they were armed up to
the teeth. Their first inquiries were for Don Philip and his brother.

"Both on leave of absence," replied the landlord, "and staying with Don
Rebiera."

"That's some comfort," thought Jack. "Now we must get horses as fast as
we can.--Mesty, can you ride?"

"By all de power can I ride, Massa Easy; suppose you ride Kentucky
horse, you ride anyting."

In half an hour four horses and a guide were procured, and at eight
o'clock in the morning the party set off in the direction of Don
Rebiera's country-seat.

They had not ridden more than six miles when they came up with one of
the detachments sent out in purs