, the French sailors were not far from the bay. Among
them was the smartest of their crew, an Englishman, whose keen sight
very little ever escaped. Just as the signal for their return was flown,
his attention was caught by something being swept past the boat by the
strong current. In spite of much opposition he insisted on looking more
closely at the object, and seized it with a boat-hook just as it was
again sinking out of sight. To the amazement of the crew, the bundle
proved to be a little girl, whom Jack took into his strong arms, and
would have carried ashore had he been allowed his own way. But this was
a point beyond even his power to enforce. For one thing they were sure
the child was dead, the little face looked so wan. Secondly, if they
were caught by the English gunboat it would mean heavy fines, and the
men had no notion of throwing away good money in that manner.

Jack had, therefore, to do the best he could for his little waif, and
take her back with him to the ship. He did not know who she was, nor
whence she came, and as she needed immediate attention, it was perhaps
as well he did so.

(_Continued on page 186._)

[Illustration: "He seized the object just as it was again sinking."]

[Illustration: "A strange face was bending over her."]

THE GIANT OF THE TREASURE CAVES.

(_Continued from page 183._)

CHAPTER XI.

'Asleep still? Is there any hope, Mother?'

'Sh! The doctor thinks she will wake about four o'clock, and I am on the
watch to give nourishment as soon as she can take it.'

'I asked the doctor what he thought, and he says, if the poor little
thing comes to herself and speaks collectedly, why, there's every hope
of her getting on fair and bright. But it all depends on that.'

'I am that anxious I don't know what to expect, and I don't care to look
one way or the other. But we must not be talking so close to her, or she
will be waking before her time. You stir up the fire, Jack, and just see
that the soup isn't too warm for her to drink, and I will watch here
quiet a bit. It will be hard to lose her after such long weeks of
nursing.'

Jack went away to do as he was bid, in the silent manner of one
experienced in sick nursing; as well as in many another work to which
the 'handy man' is so often called during a life spent at sea. Mrs.
Wright, seating herself on a chair close to the little bed, took up her
work, and soon nothing was heard in the room but the click of the rapid