ength, and life were there, but high hopes and happiness were the lot
of those who were on board the dismantled brig.

Isabel had regained her courage. Her long hair floating behind, her
eyes showing no trace of tears, she had walked along the deck leaning on
her lover's arm. The crew looked at her pityingly as she passed. More
than one strong man shook his clenched fist in the direction of the
pirate, as Isabel, her foot on the first step of the ladder, took her
last look at the scene around her. There lay the schooner, rapidly
nearing the brig, which was now running dead before the wind. Far
astern, a long green line on the lead-coloured sea marked the coming
squall; ahead, far as could be seen, the dark-coloured ocean, over which
the hot haze seemed to hang heavily, while the splintered mainmast, and
torn bulwarks alone showed the dire distress of the brig's crew. The
pirate had ceased firing, for the sea was rising rapidly; the black
squall, too, seemed coming up like a racehorse astern, and it was time
her bloody work was finished. Isabel passed forward, one squeeze of the
hand--for not a word was spoken--and she was carefully and gently sent
down into the hold, her father following; the old noble having taken a
formal leave of all, thanked the crew, raising his hat with punctilious
politeness as he was lowered away. None now remained except the
soldier. Round his waist he wore a belt, in which were placed two
six-barrelled revolvers. Beside him stood the missionary, his pale,
thoughtful face calm as usual, not a trace of emotion visible. He held
in his left hand a heavy double-barrelled rifle, and, as he grasped his
friend's with his right.

"Hughes," he said, "you have the hardest task among us. We shall fight
to the last, relying on you, on your calmness and determination. No
entreaty, no delusional hope must move you."

"Ay, ay," muttered the seaman, "you may trust him."

And it was evident he could be trusted, even in this dire extremity.
His face was deadly pale, but the firmly compressed lips, the determined
look, the high, broad, clear forehead, all told their own tale, as,
without a word, he wrung his friend's hand, and seizing the rope which
dangled free, swung himself from the deck and dropped hand over hand
into the hold below.

"To your stations, my lads, and we will rid the seas of the villains
yet!" shouted the captain.

The brig carried little cargo, and that of a light descriptio