s feeling made them hesitate
before committing further outrage; they had recognized Hilda, and feared
the consequence of Judith's vengeance if she were injured. There was no
time, however, for delay; the, rude repairs, torn by the trampling feet,
had given way, and the leak had re-opened: the boat was fast sinking.
The pirates cared not for Jean's lifeless body; that might sink or swim;
but they felt they must save the girl whatever might be her future
doom. Even their hearts softened somewhat as they watched her erect in
the sinking boat, her face pallid, her fair hair shining in the
moonlight, but her lips set, her lovely eyes bent tearless on her
prostrate lover, her right hand, holding the blood-stained dagger,
hanging listlessly by her side.

Watching an opportunity, a stalwart youth seized her from behind and
pinned her arms. The next moment he himself was seized as if he were a
dog, and hurled into the water. The new combatant, whose arrival had so
effectually changed the aspect of affairs, was the hermit, who followed
up his first stroke by another still more decisive. Springing into the
pirate craft, wrenching a weapon from the grasp of the chief of the
assailants, he drove before him the three remaining men, terror-struck
at his sudden and inexplicable appearance, his superhuman size and
strength. One by one he swept them overboard; then grasping a huge
stone, which formed part of the ballast, he dashed it with the full
force of his gigantic strength through the planks of the boat, which at
once began to fill. All this was the work of a few moments. He then
leaped into the skiff, which sank as he swiftly transferred to his own
vessel its two occupants.

Before another hour was over, Jean, stretched on a pallet, was receiving
the attention of loving hands in a cell of the Lihou monastery.

CHAPTER V.

AFFLICTION.

"The race of Thor and Odin
Held their battles by my side,
And the blood of man was mingling
Warmly with my chilly tide."

_Danube and the Euxine_.--AYTOUN.

Father Austin received his pupil's companion with the courtesy due to
her distress, but with much misgiving. After tending his patient, whose
situation was critical, he paced thoughtfully towards the cell in which
he had placed her, revolving in his mind the difficulties of the case.
His amazement was intense when he slowly opened the door. The maiden was
kneeling, her back towards him; before her was the litt