ntrol, wrapping the maiden in his
cloak, for the waves were tossing their spray over the boat as she
heeled over to the breeze.

They had traversed in safety three-fourths of their course when Jean,
looking seaward, saw a dark sail bearing down on them. One of the pirate
ships, delayed by contrary winds, was hurrying homeward, the crew of
five men hoping to arrive ere the feast was over. Jean's hope that the
boat might not be discovered was soon dispelled: the vessel altered her
course slightly and hailed. Jean made no answer. The pirate was
evidently in no mood to parley; the crew were in a fierce temper, angry
and discontented at the postponement of their arrival. She made a
deliberate attempt to run the boat down. Jean divined her object and,
putting up his helm sharply at the right moment, let her shoot by him
astern; he then resumed his course. A second attempt was clumsier, and
was easily evaded; the assailants were hurried and impatient; nor did
they know the seamanlike qualities of the man with whom they were
dealing. But Jean saw that ultimate escape was hopeless, and this was
equally apparent to Hilda who, however, though pale as death, gave a
firm pressure of the hand in response to his grasp. At this moment an
object glimmered under the youth's feet: stooping down he touched the
shell. The hermit's parting words flashed on his mind: he seized on the
hope of rescue, and sounded two loud and clear blasts.

The pirates now altered their tactics. Handling their vessel with more
care they succeeded, after two or three unsuccessful attempts, in
ranging alongside and grappling the boat. A man sprung on board and
seized Hilda. "A rare booty!" he cried,--"the Gods repent of their
waywardness." Jean was engaged with those of the crew who had seized the
boat; the man laughingly gave the girl a rough embrace: it was the last
act he had to record before entering the spirit world. Hilda drew from
her bosom one of the daggers which Jean had noticed on the tower walls,
whose blade, still sharp and keen, might have been forged by a Damascus
smith; it struck deep to the heart of the ruffian, who fell lifeless
into the waves. Jean had now freed the craft, but the respite was short:
before she had made much progress she was again captured. The pirates,
furious at the death of their comrade, made a determined onslaught.
Jean, fighting desperately, received from behind a terrific blow which
laid him senseless. But a superstitiou