s a skeleton,
ghastly pale under the almost vanished tan of the sun, dirty,
dishevelled, and in rags. But that was not the most shocking change
that Jack noticed in him; it was the look of mingled fear, hate, and
horror that gleamed in the young man's eyes, the kind of look that tells
of systematic and long-continued cruelty.

"Take him aft," said Jack to the officer who was attending him, laying
his hand lightly on Carlos' shoulder as he spoke; and he noted with
horror how, as he lifted his hand, the poor youth shrank and cowered, as
though he expected to be struck. Then presently he came to Senora
Montijo, who, poor soul, looked into Jack's face vacantly and laughed,
as he directed her, too, to be taken aft! It was clear that she was
quite mad; and Jack ground his teeth as he inwardly vowed fresh vows of
vengeance against the infamous ruffian who was the author of such
unspeakable misery and ruin. A little farther on he found Don Hermoso,
whose condition seemed even worse than that of his son. But the
Senorita Isolda he could not find, although he searched the remainder of
the prisoners twice over. Then he walked aft to where Don Hermoso and
his wife and son were standing listlessly together, exchanging an
occasional word or two with each other, but apparently too utterly
wretched to take notice of anything, or to engage in continuous
conversation.

Jack addressed himself to Carlos, in English. "Carlos, old chap," he
said, "don't start, or look surprised, or appear to recognise me; but
you know me, old fellow, don't you? I am Jack--Jack Singleton; that is
the yacht over yonder, disguised as a gunboat; and I have come to take
you all away out of this wretched ship, and restore you to your home.
But I cannot find your sister. Is she not with you?"

This apparently simple question had the most extraordinary effect upon
Don Hermoso and Carlos. The former, suddenly dropping his face in his
hands, began to sob and moan hysterically, while Carlos as suddenly
dropped on his knees on the deck, and, lifting his clenched hands
skyward, began to call down bitter curses upon the head of Alvaros.

Jack shuddered as he listened, and again ground his teeth in impotent
fury, for he soon gathered, from his friend's wild words, that the
cruelty of which the Spaniard had boasted had indeed been true. But he
could gather no information as to the whereabouts of Senorita Isolda
from the now frenzied ravings of her brother; an