ns with Pedro and his people, that the property
collected by the miscreants should be restored to the owners, Don
Rebiera ordered the horses, and with the whole party put himself under
the protection of the troops, who, as soon as they had been refreshed,
and taken some repose, bent their way back to Palermo with the
galley-slaves, bound and linked together in a long double row.

They halted when they had gone half-way, and remained for the night.
The next day, at noon, Don Rebiera and his family were once more in
their palazzo, and our two midshipmen and Mesty took their leave, and
repaired on board to make themselves a little less like
chimney-sweepers.

Captain Wilson was not out of the ship. Jack made his report, and then
went down below, very much pleased at what had passed, especially as he
would have another long yarn for the Governor on his return to Malta.

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.

IN WHICH OUR HERO AND GASCOIGNE OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES, AND
DID FEEL WHAT MIGHT BE CALLED MIDSHIPMITE COMPUNCTION.

The _Aurora_ continued three weeks at Palermo, during which the most
active search had been made for the remainder of the galley-slaves, and
some few had been captured, but still Don Silvio, and a considerable
number, were at large; and it was said that they had returned to the
fastnesses in the mountains. Our hero was constantly on shore at Don
Rebiera's house, and, after what had passed, he was now looked upon as
soon to become a member of the family. The difference of religion was
overlooked by Don Rebiera and the relations--by all but the confessor,
Father Thomaso, who now began to agitate and fulminate into the ears of
the Donna Rebiera all the pains and penalties attending heretical
connection, such as excommunication and utter damnation. The effects of
his remonstrances were soon visible, and Jack found that there was
constraint on the part of the old lady, tears on the part of Agnes, and
all father confessors heartily wished at the devil ten times a day on
the part of Don Philip and his brother. At last he wormed the truth out
of Agnes, who told her tale, and wept bitterly.

"Ned, I don't much like the appearance of things," observed Jack; "I
must get rid of that Father Thomaso."

"You'll find that rather difficult," observed Gascoigne; "besides, if
you get rid of him you would have his place filled up with another."

"He has frightened that poor old woman into the dismals, and she has th