This told us that the pirates intended sailing the next morning, that they were delighted at having made these prisoners, that they had done them no harm at present, but, being on board the ship, they certainly intended carrying them off, that all the men intended sleeping on shore but two, that Madame, if kept a prisoner, would stay near the boat, and bear a light to direct us to it in case we thought we could rescue them. (Of course we could and would rescue them, who doubted it?) The rest she would leave to us, she could advise nothing. "Glorious," said Gatty, "now we have something to do. Would that night was come."

Mother.—"Now here is something to amuse us until night comes on. Suppose we write as many letters as we can, and when we go on board for the dear prisoners, let us leave them there. If these people are real pirates, their vessel may be captured, and our letters found and forwarded by the vessel that takes them. And even if no such event happens, and they are not pirates, compassion may make them forward them to their proper destination by some ship or opportunity."

A capital notion, and we proceeded to put it into execution, and altogether accomplished about a dozen letters, each directed to different members of our beloved family. All being ready, the darkness impenetrable, we looked out and saw two lights burning. One we supposed to be the ship light, the other Madame's, which she was to light when all were asleep. With the utmost expedition, but the greatest caution and silence, we slid down the rocks in a different direction from the lights, that no rolling stone or slipping feet might be heard. Once on the sand, our noiseless feet flew, as well as they could consistent with the caution necessary in such darkness, and the way in which a bright light, under such circumstances, deceives you. We kept by the moving waves in part to guide us. We came to the bathing place. Now we must creep on our hands and knees, we are so near. We touch Madame—happiness inexpressible. Silently, Gatty, Oscar, and I creep into the boat; we tie handkerchiefs and towels round the two oars; nevertheless, what a noise we make, but we are very nearly reckless. Madame wraps her arms round Sybil, lest her impatience should make her throw herself into the water, in her wish to get to her second self. Now we touch the ship. Gatty and I are on deck like cats. We have taken off our shoes that our footsteps may not be heard. Otty keeps to the boat. We creep to the lamp and get a light, and then go down stairs. We try a door, but it is locked. Gatty goes back to Otty, and tells him to move under the cabin windows, to see if he can find them out there. I try to push some of my long hair through the key-hole to attract their attention, but the key is in. I then thrust some letters under the door. I hear their voices, but am just frantic at not being able to make them hear, but Oscar has. It is all right; they know him, and speak to him. I hear Schillie say, "Where is June?" How can we be so rash, and make such a noise. I can only account for their not hearing us by the fact that they were completely knocked up with the heat and work of the day, and had no idea there were any more people on the island; and, as the boat was on shore, their prisoners could not escape by themselves; so that in all security they sleep profoundly. Now then, at last, the door opens, and we see them, but not a word is spoken, and, merely squeezing our fingers, they pass out. I hide the letters in different parts of the cabin, and, finding them all ready in the boat, we push off, and in a few minutes, guided by the friendly light, Serena is in Sybil's arms. They hurry off the same way we came, only treading in the waves that their footsteps may not be traced. I remain behind but to fasten up the boat in the same way we found it; and then, after some difficulty, many falls, and constant losing our way, owing to the darkness, we hear the welcome sounds of the waterfall. Heedless of a wetting, we rush in, we are safe, we are in the cavern, and then what a scene takes place. But no pen can describe it. Mine cannot.



CHAPTER XXXI.

Exhausted by our many emotions, and the agony of the last twenty-four hours, we slept until very late. But our first words on awaking were, "Is the ship gone?"

Yes! she was gone from her mooring; nevertheless she was lying to, and the boat came off to shore with about ten men in it. They lost no time, but hurried about in every direction to find what we were certainly not going to lose sight of again. We heard them wrangling and grumbling as they searched all about Cartref Pellenig. A gun recalled them to the ship after they had spent many fruitless hours in the search. Ere sunset arrived, the low black hull of the evil ship was hardly to be traced on the horizon. Then we questioned the three heroines as to their adventures.

Schillie.—"Odious beasts."

Mother.—"Is that all you have to say about them?"

Schillie.—"Wretches."

Mother.—"But, Serena, what do you say?"

Serena.—"They are shocking people."

Mother.—"Well, I must try Jenny, for you did only tell us what we guessed before."

Jenny.—"Oh, Ma'am, they are such a wicked lot!"

Finding we could not get any news out of them, we waited until they had sufficiently relieved their feelings by abusing them, and then gleaned the following information by fits and starts. To use Schillie's words they were audibly and horribly elated at having captured such notable prisoners. Also they were questioned very much about themselves, and Schillie's friend, the King of the Pirates, asked if they belonged to a party of ladies and children supposed to be lost in a yacht about two years ago. To this she replied in the affirmative, hoping to hear news from home. Then they told her that many people were employed in the search after them, and that very large rewards were offered to any one who could give information. "Then," said Schillie, "if you take us all home you shall receive rewards beyond your greatest wishes."

This conversation was held in French. He went and retailed it to his companions in Spanish, not deeming that Serena understood them. They then had a dispute amongst themselves as to whether they would retain possession of the prisoners or claim the promised reward. The dispute ran so high that they all agreed to defer it till they got to sea, having too much to do to waste the time at present. When Serena interpreted this to Schillie she was wrath beyond expression, and vowed she would jump overboard and be swallowed by a shark ere she went to sea and leave it undecided as to what their future fate must be. Then the captain asked her where all the others were? And in a fit of disgust and horror she said to him he should not take her from the island unless it was to restore them to their friends. Giving her a ferocious look he said her fate should be decided according as she behaved, and they were in no particular want of money at present, having been very successful in their late excursion. He also told her that they had been on the look out for us a long time, and wanted to know if we had not great riches, plate, and diamonds with us; he, in fact, asked so many questions, we could not but perceive they knew a great deal about us. Finding Schillie grew more and more reserved and angry, he separated the three, and proceeded to question them. Jenny declared point blank, as well as she could by signs, that all the rest of us were dead! and only those three left. Serena pretended not to understand, and fell into such hysterical tears at being separated from Schillie, that after awhile they restored them together.

"Well, Schillie," said I, "I don't think I should have objected to go with them so much, for they are generally such needy people these pirates that money would surely have tempted them to give you up."

Schillie.—"Brutes!"

Mother.—"And then you could have made arrangements to come for us."

Schillie.—"Villains!"

Mother.—"Now do be rational, why don't you listen to what I say, instead of vituperating in this manner?"

Schillie.—"It is you that want reason. I tell you what, June, I had rather stay here all the days of my life, and live to be the last person on it, burying you every one, than be a week at sea with such a set of rascally, vile, audacious, drunken robbers as they were. Now if you love me let me hear their names no more. Let me enjoy the fact that I am with you all again. Let me do anything to drive away the horrors that beset me when in their power. I don't mean to say they were uncivil, or rude, or that they treated us unnecessarily roughly. I had a knife ready if they had done so to either of us."

So the subject was dropped, and, though we might have had some misgivings that we had not acted with great courage, and that we had lost an opportunity of being restored to the world which we might not have again, yet we were not worse off than we had been ten days ago. Moreover, we had escaped a great and serious misfortune, namely, being separated. Also we knew the extent of what we had suffered, and we could not tell what we might have had to endure. Also we had the heartfelt satisfaction of knowing that we were not given up as lost, that kind hearts and active energies were being employed in our behalf. Were we wrong to be so hopeful that these exertions would meet with a due reward?

These thoughts gave us food for many a conversation, though we made very few allusions to the pirates themselves. Once, indeed, on remarking a few cooking utensils, and a great big bottle that were now in use among us, and which I had never seen before, "Oh," said Gatty composedly, "they had no business to burn down our house, so Otty and I cleared their caboose while you were down in the cabin, and Jenny helped us, and she allows we have now a tidy set of cooking things, and Goodness knows they have arrived just in the nick of time as ours were done up."

Jenny.—"Indeed, Ma'am, it is quite true. Look at our old saucepans. Past mending, even if there was a tinker next door."

Schillie.—"Very sensible brat! I did not think she had such nous in her."

Mother.—"Really I think we ought to give you a vote of thanks, Gatty."

Madame.—"But surely, my dear Madam, the want of principle Gertrude has shewn ought to be reproved. It was (pray do not think me unkind) but I am afraid I can call it nothing but a theft on her part."

Hargrave (bursting into the conversation nolens volens).—"I beg pardon, ladies, but I must say Miss Gertrude has hacted in a manner surprisingly delightful. Them 'orrifying hannimals 'as destroyed 'eaps of our best dresses and millineries; and hif Miss could but 'ave tossed their best suits hoverboard my mind would be hat rest, and my 'eart heased."

So Gatty got applauded on all sides, for Madame was reminded if it had not been for her thieving propensities she would never have had the nice quantities of warm water we could now heat for her bath. Therefore she pocketed her principles at the shrine of her baths, at least to a certain extent.



CHAPTER XXXII.

Quiet prevailed, lessons predominated, we were all getting very stupid again. Schillie was very much subdued after her sojourn with the pirates, and took to following me everywhere, as the faithful dog follows his master. Also, she was very amenable to all my wishes and worked like a horse in the gardens and potatoe grounds, because I thought we had better lay in great stores of food, for fear the pirates should come again. Besides this work, we plaited grass into ropes, and made a ladder or two, with which we practised running up and down into the cavern from the opening at the top. It was something to do, and might be useful. The children were like cats at last, and used to frighten me out of my wits by their feats of agility.

So many of our clothes had been destroyed that it became necessary to do something towards replacing them; and, after various attempts, Schillie and I constructed two rude weaving machines, in which, with hard work, we made a coarse kind of cloth. This was dyed any colour we fancied, and then made into a long loose dress, with hanging sleeves, capable of being tucked up, and a broad belt to confine them round the waist. We found them very convenient and cool, only it was incessant work, spinning, weaving, and making them. We certainly did not eat the bread of idleness, and many a day's holiday was asked from Madame, only to work the poor girls harder at spinning, weaving, or gardening. But they enjoyed it, and grew like palm trees, looking so pretty and lively, that it was quite a sight to look at them: Sybil fair as a lily, and bright as a rose; Gatty glowing like the bright hibiscus; the pale and graceful Serena, faultless in form and action; while the little ones seemed to be growing up into what the elder girls had been when we first landed on the island.

The rainy season came and went. God blessed us in our house and field, and in the hearts content that filled every mind.

Intuitively we all seemed to feel that a good time was coming for us, and we prepared for the fine weather with fresh energies and renewed hopes, not unmixed with the notion that we should have dangers and difficulties to encounter, ere we should be finally restored to all we loved.

We encouraged each other in every way. We relied on some of our letters reaching their proper destination, we assured each other that another six months would not pass without our friends coming to look for us.

We made every preparation, stores of food for a full year were stowed away in the cavern. We concocted a kitchen, from whence the smoke could never betray us, and we sat down in patient expectation, and full trust in our Almighty Father, that should the pirates come again we were quite prepared; therefore, without fear, though with a little palpitation of heart, we received the news one brilliant morning that a sail was to be seen on the horizon.

It came nearer and nearer and yet kept off the island. We might have thought, for a time, that perchance it was our friends, but one after another allowed the mournful fact to escape from our lips, that it was indeed the pirates' vessel.

Supposing us to be inexperienced in vessels, and not likely to know one again, after seeing it once, we imagined they kept dodging on and off the island to deceive us, and that they would do this until dark, and then landing as best they might, they would thus take us by surprise. They little knew how sharp was the watch we kept, as much prompted by affection as fear.

But we understood their man[oe]uvres very well, and were quite prepared. We had long ceased to need the Cartref Pellenig entrance, letting everything down by the aperture above, where the rock and brushwood would tell no tales of our footsteps. We had made some more places of observation, and we went to rest that night feeling prepared for everything. It happened as we expected. The whole island seemed alive with pirates as the sun arose. We had taken care to leave their works of destruction as much like what they had left them as possible. They spent a whole week in diligently searching the island, yet were no restraint upon us whatever. We had our shower baths, and even our exercise up and down the rope ladders, peeping out upon them from the top, for we had smoothed the sides of the cliff so well, there was not a place for a cat to get up, and besides it seeming only to be bare rock and brushwood, they thought they saw all over it without deeming that anything could be hidden down in it.

We got rather rash, they got very vexed, we were delighted, they were disappointed. At last at the end of ten days, they began to unload the vessel. Now! thought we, "what is going to happen, surely they are not going to stay here." Our ill-timed hilarity received a sudden check, for our fears were confirmed, they unloaded the vessel completely, and after ballasting her with sand and shingle, they set sail, and departed. But alas! for us they left ten of their people behind them, who commenced to our horror and disgust building a house very near Cartref Pellenig, but so placed that they could look down the cliffs and over the sea. By this arrangement we had certainly one-half of the island entirely to ourselves, and as they were extremely busy, evidently trying to get their house completed ere the second rains came on, and as what time they had to spare they spent entirely in carousing and sleeping, we ran little danger of being discovered, though out for hours together. One precaution we took which was always to have a watcher on their movements, and never to leave the cavern, without settling where we were to be found in case of warning. Also they seemed quite to have made up their own minds that they were the sole inhabitants of the island. Little dreaming what a home she gave in her friendly bosom to the weak and helpless, and how many eyes watched their every movement.

We gathered the fruits of roots, enjoyed the turtle, collected eggs, and accustomed our hens to lay in the cavern, giving them a remote egress, through which nothing but fowls could get. We were not therefore in danger of starving, supposing they did take up their abode on the island with us. So we sat down on the carpet of contentment.

During the ensuing wet weather we saw nothing of our visitors, and we beguiled the time with writing stories and romances, and reciting them in the evening while we knitted, spun, and weaved. Part of the girls' lessons consisted in learning French Plays by heart, and Schillie and I as spectators saw more than poor Madame, who innocently left them to select their own lessons. Sometimes they would repeat the same lessons three days running, making grimaces at us to say nothing. Sometimes Gatty managed so to arrange it, that, during four or five long pages of dialogue, all she had to say was, "Et Tartuffe" "Le Pauvre-homme" two or three times, and then she received the good jeton necessary for such a long lesson.

Schillie.—"You will be hanged some day, Miss Gatty, if you go on in this deceptious manner."

Gatty.—"Oh, Sib likes the fun, and Serena is so fond of languages, she does not care how much she says, provided it is not in her mother tongue, and I love them both so much, I always like to oblige them."

Schillie.—"I dare say you do, you young sinner. Now see if I don't expose you to Madame, and then in addition to the crime of stealing, you will have fibbing added."

Gatty.—"I am quite ready to go and restore the kettle and other things, if you like it, little Mother. Perhaps you would not mind coming with me to do this act of justice."

Schillie.—"Mention such a thing again, and see how I will punch you, Miss, just as if I would walk one yard nearer those wretches, than the horrid narrow limits of this island oblige me. No, if they were dying by inches for want of their kettle I would not stir one step to give it them."

Serena.—"How severe you are upon them, little Mother, I hate the sight of them, but I don't think I could see them starve."

Sybil.—"Indeed I should not care what became of them, or what fate happened to them so that they were all dead."

Gatty.—"There, Madame, there, hear what your pattern of gentleness and goodness says. Don't talk to me any more about being more like a boy than a girl. Here Syb declares she would like to see the pirates roasted alive."

Sybil.—"Now, Gatty, how can you?"

Gatty.—"You said you did not care what became of them; perhaps flayed alive will suit you better."

Sybil.—"Horrid girl, how you make me shudder."

Madame.—"I feel perfectly correct in saying, Gertrude, that you are merely giving voice to your own ideas, and not to my gentle Sybil's."

Sybil.—"Then, dear Madame, I must undeceive you, for, when I look at Serena, I don't think I should care whether they were roasted or not."

Madame.—"My child, my dear child, since when have you adopted these notions, so foreign to your mild nature?"

Sybil.—"I don't know, indeed, Madame; but I am ready to fire off a gun if it is necessary to drive them away."

Madame.—"You see, Madam, what an effect it has had upon our household already, the visit of these pirates."

Mother.—"Then, Madame, we must hope no worse effects will ensue. At present I admire Sybil's spirit and energy, and think she wanted but that to make her almost what you think her, perfection."

Gatty.—"I don't like the change at all. Nothing I can do to her now frightens her. I found the most frightful old bloated toad yesterday, and put it on her fat white arm, saying 'there's a pirate for you, Syb,' and, would you believe it, she neither shrieked or screamed, but said quite savagely, 'I only wish it was, and that I could make away with him as quickly as I could this poor toad.' It is quite provoking, all my fun is gone."

Oscar.—"Perhaps, aunt Sib, you won't mind learning to fire a gun now."

Sybil.—"Not at all, dear boy, but (adding quickly) you know we must not shoot at present for fear of discovering ourselves."

Felix.—"Oh, she's a coward yet, she most certainly is."

Lilly.—"She was no coward when she went to the ship that dark night, boy" (indignantly).

Zoe.—"I am sure she is as brave as any of us when occasion requires" (more indignantly).

Winny.—"Yes, indeed, all her stories are full of brave people, and they are such pretty stories."

Schillie.—"Well, children, don't let us have any more of this mawkish dispute. Aunt Sib is agreed to be nearly perfection by you all, and when I see her looking steadily at a spider without a wink I'll think her so too. It is lucky she has turned out so brave, as we may want her services, and I trust you will all follow her worthy example. I intend organizing an army, and making myself field-marshal thereof; and if you make good soldiers, and obey the word of command, I'll tell you the story of the little jack-daws."

The house the men built, which we called Pirate Hall, was magnificent compared to our poor dear Cartref Pellenig, and was made with such rapidity, speed, and neatness, our clerk of the works fell into fits of envy and jealousy. We had visited it very often without being discovered; but the children, from sheer mischief, used to carry off things of all kinds back to our cavern, and we were unable to prevent them, as they almost considered it an act of duty to do so. I would not let them go; besides, we might have been discovered, as, through the loss of different things in such a strange manner, they must suspect some other people were on the island. Schillie, Madame, and I had many private conversations regarding these pirates and their settling on the island; for we were not so hopeful as to think if they settled here permanently we could always escape notice. Some inadvertence on our part, some chance on theirs, an earthquake, any of these things might discover us.

Schillie imagined, from the peculiar way in which Pirate Hall was built, they meant to use it as a storehouse, and that probably the vessel would return, take off the ten men, now our neighbours, and only visit the island when they had to store away their ill-gotten gains, or from bad weather. I agreed with her, and further added, that probably the old house had been built for the same purpose, but that their rendezvous had been disturbed by the extraordinary snake which had been so nearly fatal to us. Now that it was dead they were again making use of the island, and we must be prepared for this and any other disagreeable occurrence that their proximity to us would cause.

Madame hoped that if they really took permanent possession of the island, we might in some manner contrive to quit it, either through their ships and boats, or from my brother's ship, which we knew had been stationed on the South American Coast, for the purpose of exterminating the pirates, and discovering their hordes. And if he ever pursued one, in endeavouring to reach this island, he might be led on after them, and so discover us.

I doubted their permitting so safe and convenient a spot being discovered. However time would show, and without any event occurring, that could be interesting to others than ourselves, time brought the pirate's vessel back again. Henceforward its visits were at all times and all hours, never staying above a day when it did come, then all hands worked hard to unload and refit again. Sometimes everybody went in it. Sometimes two or three remained behind. And it was on one of these occasions we had a most dreadful fright. Hearing a noise amongst the brushwood at the top of the cavern, we found out in a minute, one or all of the pirates were up there. Almost before the thought rushed through us, there was a crash, a whizzing through the air, and the large heavy body of one of the men fell into the midst of us, and lay there a shapeless bloody mass. Voices were immediately heard, calling to the man, and cautioning each other to beware. We heard the axe cutting away the brushwood, which fell in the cavern amongst us, and fancied faces were peeping down upon us, to see what had occurred to their companion. We stood and sat motionless. They called to him, and speculated on his fate, and wondered that they heard nothing from him. What should we do, if they discovered our ladders. It seemed however that they were too much alarmed at the unknown fate of their companion, to hazard their lives in search of him, but left the place, saying something about ropes and a further search.

And now what were we do? Here we were with the great body of a pirate in the midst of us, who, though dead, inspired us with almost as much horror and terror, as if alive. What could we do with the crushed and horrid remains. This seemed to oppress us the most, and in thinking who was to touch and move it, we lost sight of the danger we incurred from the other pirates coming back to look for the body.

Mother.—"Well! Schillie, what must we do?"

Schillie.—"I shall not touch the beast!"

Madame.—"The sight is frightful, I really must retire."

The three girls hung aloof, the little ones had hidden themselves out of sight. Though I said nothing, I looked at Hargrave and Jenny.

Hargrave (very mysteriously).—"I hassure you, Ma'am, I am not haccustomed, that is, Ma'am, it is no business of mine. I ham not in the 'abits of touching corpses and hexcuse me, Ma'am, this is so very—oh dear me whathever 'as come hover me. I shall faint, I know."

Jenny (very pale and resolute).—"I think, Ma'am, if I rolled it up in a sheet, we might drag it between us to some distant cavern, and bury it in the sand."

Oscar.—"No, Jenny, we must cut him in pieces, and carry him out bit by bit into the sea."

Felix.—"Yes, here is his own saw, that I took away the last time we were at his house. He is only a pirate, Jenny, and quite dead; so, saw away!"

Jenny.—"Oh, Master Felix, I did not think you had the heart to be so cruel."

Oscar.—"Cruel! don't be absurd, Jenny. You don't care a bit for cutting off the heads of the chickens so why should you mind cutting up this great brute."

Jenny.—"Oh! Sir, you really must excuse me, I cannot do it, even to please you."

Our dilemma was really growing most painful. "Can one bury him here, as he is, without touching him?" said I. "Oh no, Mother," said Oscar. "We could never endure the place knowing this body was buried in it. Besides, see where he has fallen just where we dine. At all events, if you will none of you touch him, and he must be buried here, let us seek another cavern to live in, one nearer the waterfall."

"Shall we follow Otty's advice," said I to the others, "it seems the only thing we can do, but it is horrible."

"Cover up those unsightly remains, and let us begone," said Schillie, "the place is getting horrible even now."

We ran for every sort of thing we could find to shovel the sand over him, and though very soon out of sight, we worked harder and harder, as if the more sand we put over him, the more we drove from us the horrible sight. We then recollected the ladders, and Gatty and Serena ran up, and let them down, and then swung themselves down by a rope, which we fastened at the side of the cavern, in such a manner as to be hardly apparent, and certainly of no use.

For a full hour after we had done, the children were throwing more sand on the great Tumulus now before us, while we moved as many of our things as we could to another cavern, smaller, less convenient, and darker. We were so busy, that we forgot the pirates might come back, and were therefore electrified at the sound of their voices above. They called once or twice to the dead man, now buried many feet in sand, and of course receiving no answer, we found they were preparing to let a man down.

"Oh! Mother," said Oscar, "let us stone him well as he comes down, and that will frighten him." "And let us hiss like snakes," said Felix, "and he'll think he has got into a nest of big snakes." "Capital," said Gatty, "it will be glorious fun." "No, we must shoot him," said Schillie. "No, no, little Mother, do let us stone him, and hiss him out," said all the little ones, and they ran to collect stones.

"Indeed, Schillie, I think the children's idea a very good one. If he is well stoned he won't come down, and if we hiss they will certainly think us snakes and, being already fearful about them, who knows but the fear of their being in the caverns of the island may drive them all away."

Schillie.—"Did ever any one hear of anything so silly. As if a man with an ounce of brains would be taken in by such a child's trick as this."

Oscar.—"Then keep the guns ready, cousin, and you and I will have a shot at him if necessary."

"Agreed," said she. "Now make haste, every one hide in different corners; he is coming down."

Most of this conversation was, of course, in whispers. Gatty was to give the signal for the stoning operations by her most accomplished hiss.

A sudden burst of daylight; he was cutting the brushwood away to investigate as far as he could before descending. We were all like silent mice. Three hairy faces peered down. We shivered, and picked up the biggest stones. Now then he is coming, they say all right in Spanish, and he requests they will let him down very slowly. Now we see his legs, now his body, now the whole of him. Why does not Gatty give the signal? Lower and lower, I must hiss in a minute if she does not; at last he is fairly half way down. A great hiss, a perfect hurricane of hisses ensues, and a shower of stones aimed with such right goodwill that the man roared again. In their start and alarm above they had let him slip down suddenly a few feet, but his violent cries and entreaties to be drawn up were quickly attended to, and, amidst incessant hitting, and such a volley of stones that I do not think one inch of his body escaped a bruise, he disappeared from our sight.

We heard him groaning and moaning above, while the others questioned him. He was too much stunned however to say anything as far as we could make it out, and presently we found they were lowering him down from the cliffs near Cartref Pellenig, as the easiest way of getting him home.

From our peep-holes we had the satisfaction of seeing our enemy in a deplorable state, and apparently insensible, which Gatty averred was her performance, as she aimed particularly at his head.

As Madame observed, a most unladylike proceeding!



CHAPTER XXXIII.

We were some time in learning what effect our stratagem had had upon the pirates. On our parts we were delighted at the scheme succeeding so wonderfully, and dubbed the hero of it "The Knight of the Descending Ladder." They kept very close, and we saw but little of them until the ship returned. Then, indeed, there was a great row, and we saw the unfortunate "Knight" brought out on a sort of board, apparently to tell his tale, which must have been very wonderful to judge by their amazement. He seemed very ill indeed, and while some of us expressed a little sorrow for him, there were a few who wondered how he dare be still alive after their incredible exertions to kill him.

Schillie declared she had a great contempt now for the pirates, since they had been deceived and frightened by such children's play, and began to speculate upon getting rid of them all by degrees through working on their fears, and a sparing use of the gun.

Mother.—"Nothing surprises me so much as the change in your character. Formerly you scolded me for even killing a wasp (that allowed enemy to man and fruit), and yet now you coolly talk of shooting pirates as if it was a common morning's amusement."

Schillie.—"I shall not be happy as long as these wretches remain, especially as it only requires an earthquake to expose us to view. And now that they have got some notion (fools as they are) that the island is not without its dangers, we may as well follow it up, and, whoever they leave behind this time we must take care they never see again."

Mother.—"What! you mean to kill and bury them before the others return. I think it a very good plan, and it will effectually frighten them away if they come back two or three times, and on each return find those they have left here gone, without a trace of their disappearance. But I can never persuade myself that there is one amongst our party who can deliberately go and shoot a man in cold blood who has never done them any harm."

Schillie.—"Pooh! pooh! just put yourself into their power for a day, and I'll be bound you come back quite ready to do anything to get rid of them. Such a set of wretches I never saw."

Jenny (smiling and smirking to me).—"And yet, Ma'am, they thought so much of Mrs. E. that time we were with them. The captain could not take his eyes off her."

We all laughed heartily at this, and congratulated Schillie on her conquest, while I added that I could easily perceive now why she was irritated against the pirates.

This put her into a great fit of the sulks, and I do not know with whom she would not have quarrelled if our conversation had not been put an end to by Oscar and Felix.

Oscar.—"Oh Mother, they are unloading the ship, and they have got some prisoners."

Felix.—"And, oh Mother, one poor prisoner is so wounded he is lame."

Oscar.—"And, Mother, we saw them bound, carried out of the boat."

Felix.—"And, oh Mother, they beat their poor prisoners, and one is lame."

Oscar.—"And, Mother, they are driving them up to Pirate Hall, and, Mother, we must——"

Felix.—"Oh Mother, we must——"

Oscar.—"Yes, yes, we must——"

Felix.—"Oh Mother, say yes, say yes."

Gatty.—"Release them! of course, glorious boys, we will. Have I not often released you two when playing at 'Prisoners base.'"

Sybil.—"Poor, poor fellows, we must try to help them."

Mother.—"This is news indeed! and I quite agree with all your feelings. But, children, you must let us think. Imagine what dangers you run."

Oscar.—"But, Mother, the poor prisoners!"

Felix.—"And, oh Mother, perhaps they will eat them, as Friday was going to be eaten."

Gatty.—"Pray, pray, do let us try to release them."

Sybil.—"Once they were safe in here we could soon make them well."

Serena.—"And then, being men, they will help us to fight against the pirates, and kill them all."

Mother.—"That will be very nice indeed. Schillie, these prisoners seem just sent in the nick of time to do the work I doubted our accomplishing."

Schillie.—"I think you and the children all a little cracked together, and have no doubt you will instantly march out in a body, give battle, and return victorious, carrying the prisoners in triumph, and decorated with the bloody heads of your enemies."

Gatty.—"You don't mean to say, little Mother, you would not help to get those two poor prisoners out of the murderous hands of these pirates?"

Felix.—"And one quite lame!"

Oscar.—"And perhaps they will eat them up."

Schillie.—"Pooh! pooh! brats, don't set up such a howling. Who said I was not ready to go to the rescue? Am I not your commander-in-chief? and are you not bound to obey your general? I only beg simply for the same grace your Mother asked for, namely, a little thought to settle our plans."

Madame.—"Oh, my dear Mrs. E., I had hoped from your knowledge of the world, and general good sense, that you would have calmed the young people's excited minds. Consider what risks we should run in releasing these people, and the inconvenience of having strangers and men attached to our party, living in the strange way we do."

Schillie.—"Madame, I consider but one thing; these two poor men are in the hands of the pirates and, rescued from their jaws they shall be, if I can do it."

Such a clapping of hands, and shouts of approbation arose on this speech that I was in mortal fear lest we should be heard.

Leaving the girls and children to argue the point with Madame, who had only Hargrave on her side, Schillie and I retired to talk over the matter, for it was really too grave a subject to be discussed with the same publicity that every other thing underwent in our community.

And it did require great deliberation, for, after all, it was a mad thing, a parcel of weak women and children thinking they could out-do thirty-two ruffian pirates. To be sure we had some great advantages, but, after all, what we should lose in the event of this act of philanthropy failing was everything, and for two strangers! who might turn out to be what Schillie called very uncomfortable people. And, besides, we had every prospect before us of out-witting the pirates, and finally getting rid of them. I own I began to be dubious, but my companion was firm, and wound-up by saying, "Mind I expect a solemn promise if we fail that you put a pistol to my head rather than let me fall into the hands of that fellow." I smiled maliciously, saying, "What the King of the Pirates?" "King of Horrors," said she, "don't forget now." "Then Jenny's story was true about his admiration of you," returned I. "Jenny's a goose, and you are another. If you mention him again I'll leave you, and go and settle in another part of the island."

In settling our plans for the release of the prisoners we were very much fettered by not being able to let them know what schemes we were making for their benefit. Also of what language and nation they were.

So it was agreed, greatly to the little boys' disgust, that we must try some experiments to make them know they had friends on the island. They declared that if we lost so much time they might both be eaten up before they could rescue them, and that it ought to be tried to-night. Not being so alarmed as the boys about the eating part of the business, the commander-in-chief merely ordered out a couple of scouts, who, from their practical knowledge of the country, knew the best places to drop little bits of paper, on which was written in English the following Notice:—

"If the prisoners would like to hear of something to their advantage, let them burn a light some night when communication can be uninterrupted and convenient, and to shew that they and only they have got this notice, let them tie something white round each arm."

We wrote in English, because we knew that the pirates understood French.

Gatty and Jenny were the two scouts, and we were very uneasy until they returned, which they did after two hours absence in the night. We diligently watched all that day, but saw no signs of the white mark on the prisoners' arms, though one was kept working hard in the very course where some of the billet doux were placed. The other we supposed was ill, as he did not appear until evening, when supported by the one we had seen all day. They retired together to a ledge of rocks by themselves, and seemed to hold earnest communion. One wrung his hands and seemed in the greatest grief, which made the children half-wild to get at them, to whisper comfort and release. Three days passed and no white sign, though every day they sat in the evening by themselves in this spot, and always secured in the utmost sorrow. We agreed we must put a billet doux there, if another day passed without the sign, though it was dangerously near Pirate Hall. In the meantime they were villainously used and ill-treated by the pirates, besides very hardly worked, so that they sometimes staggered and fell down from the weights they had to carry. Our indignation was great, and, like an impatient army as we were, we implored the commander in chief to give the word of march. We longed to hear him say "Up, guards, and at them." But that very evening surely we saw the white sign. It was true, indeed; how pleased we were. And then the delightful hope that they must be English was nearly confirmed, and showed how all our secret hopes and wishes had been in unison. This added to our zest in a wonderful manner. But now such a row, everybody wanted to go to the rescue, and it became a matter of difficulty to quell the military ardour of the army.

It was arranged that Schillie was to go first, with a rope in her hand, I was to follow holding the end of hers and the beginning of another, Oscar ditto, Jenny ditto, Gatty, Serena, Felix, Sybil, Zoe, Madame, Winny, Lilly, Hargrave the last. So that we were all linked together, and had a regular chain of communication. Any danger in front was indicated by pull of the ropes. And then it was to be "Sauve qui pent." Thus the whole army was employed, and we were not likely to lose our way home, as the line extended so far that Hargrave would be close at home. The only risk we ran was, that, to enable us to perform this man[oe]uvre, we had to go out at the Cartref Pellenig entrance, which we had in consequence to pull down and open for the first time in four months. However, we trusted to our good cause, and the fact that the entrance was at all times difficult to find, and would not take half an hour to put to rights again. But this notable plan was to depend in a great measure whereabouts the signal light would be placed.

When it was quite dark, we looked out with beating hearts. No light. We watched and waited half an hour; suddenly a light shone for a minute or so, and then darkness again. "That must certainly be a signal," said we, "however, we will wait another half hour." In less than half an hour, again a light shone for only a few minutes, and, as far as we could judge, just in the usual spot where they went every evening to talk by themselves. In fact, the spot where the before-mentioned man[oe]uvre of our great army was to be executed. So we rushed up the caverns in a most disorderly manner, and were all ready to obey the word of command in less than ten minutes at the Cartref Pellenig entrance. To our honour be it spoken, as an army composed of so many females, not a word was spoken, and we emerged from the entrance as noiselessly as bats out of an old chimney.

Cautiously we proceeded, keeping close to the rock, so as to feel our way, but had to pass dangerously near Pirate Hall. We could hear them snoring in sleep; but there were watchers also, for they were talking noisily in one of the rooms. Now we must pause a moment, in hopes the light will again shine, and also to still our hearts, if possible, they are beating so loud. Five minutes passed, Schillie was then going slowly on, when her rope jumped with a start, so did mine, so I suppose did all the others, and I was sure I recognised the faintest little scream from Madame. The light shone out all of a sudden, not ten yards from us; it was that which made us start so. We noted the two men distinctly, and, waiting until the light was out again, we then advanced, and Schillie touching one and I the other, we took hold of some hard horny hands, and made the signal by shaking the ropes to return.

Back we went, in rather a hurry-scurry I must allow. As everybody got into the cavern, the others came rushing in quicker and quicker; Schillie and I alone kept a stately march, holding the hard horny hands, not a word passing between the delivered and the deliverers; but if gratitude could be expressed by a grasp, it was done by the hand I held in mine. I had the lame prisoner, and while the hand trembled in mine like the hand of a timid woman, I felt his hairy mouth touching it, and the other hand trying in a gentle but earnest manner to feel the arm and as much of me as he could. He seemed to shake like an aspen leaf, and almost choked with suppressed emotion. But we are nearer, Gatty is in, Jenny, Oscar, the General slipped by me, and unhandsomely got in first. Now we were all safe. Jenny, Hargrave, and the girls flew for the torches to do up the entrance again. We silently led the rescued prisoners to a little cavern, which was somewhat remote from the others.

Madame brought us a torch, and with acknowledged curiosity we proceeded to examine what were now our prisoners. Two great hairy men. Why did we start? A deep groan, and an English "God be thanked" burst from the lips of one as he fell senseless to the ground. The other rushed to the boys with vehement gesture, and catching both in his arms, uttered a shout that made the cavern ring again. "Oh, Smart, Smart," said they, "our dear, dear Tom Smart, is it really you? are you come back for us? are you alive?"

Could this be real? It was indeed too true. The prisoners about whom we had been so anxious, the poor fellows we had so intuitively been interested in, and determined to risk our lives to save, were no other than our dear lamented captain and equally beloved Smart. Surely we could now tell why, from the first, we had been so anxious about them. There yet remained a trace in their sadly-altered appearance of something we had loved and lost. But the news spread like lightning, the entrance was left to its fate, every one flocked with their own eyes to behold that it was really true. The little ones flew into Smart's arms, and kissed his great face, and welcomed him as a father. The dear captain still remains insensible on the ground. We poured water over him, we chafed his hands, we called him by every tender name, but his insensibility remained deep and profound. It was necessary that something should check our joy, otherwise we should have been too elated for safety and prudence.

Two of us watched by the captain, and the others, accompanied by the not-to-be-lost-sight-of Smart, went to fill up the entrance. It was now daylight, and in this little instance we saw what it was to have our dear Smart back again. In ten minutes he secured the entrance far more safely than we could do in an hour; and all being now right, we adjourned to our breakfasts, though it was only to ask questions and give answers, for nobody could eat; but his important communications must be kept for another chapter.



CHAPTER XXXIV.

With a little girl on each knee, Felix hanging with arms round his neck, Oscar sitting into his pocket, and we all ranged in a circle before him, we forgot the pirates, we forgot everything but the present moment. We almost fancied ourselves once more at home; and thus we sat for hours, heedless of meals and dangers, listening to and retailing again all that had occurred since our sad and fatal parting.

The only interruptions were our occasional visits to the dear captain, whose insensibility had given place to an attack of fever and delirium, through which Madame had engaged to bring him, if we left her in peace and quiet to fulfil her own prescriptions. We could not avoid, however, spite our deep interest in all Smart said, running to enquire every ten minutes if he was better. And painful was it to hear his broken exclamations, his cries after us, the mournful repetition of each little pet name, his agonies for their fancied danger, his remorse and sorrow choking the prayers and petitions he mixed with all he said. Dear kind captain, if all you said in your delirium had been running through your brain once you had parted from us, no wonder that it had at last given way, and that you now lay before us a wreck of what you once were, a broken-down, miserable-looking, white-headed man. But now for Smart's story, which I think it best to give in his own words, as well as how we questioned it all out of him.

Felix.—"Ah, Tommy, dear Tommy, how could you run away and leave us in that bad manner?"

Oscar.—"Yes, Smart, I don't think we have ever been happy since, until to-day."

Smart (blowing his nose and wiping his eyes).—"My dear young 'squire, my darling Mr. Felix, was it not the mistress's orders? But I will never leave you again, no, not if I am pounded to death by those scums of the earth, and live to see them rewarded for their trouble."

The three little girls (all in piteous voices).—"And could they hurt you, dear Smart, so good and kind as you are, and our darling captain? Oh, make haste, make haste, and tell us all about it."

Smart.—"I will make every haste, dear young ladies, but I don't rightly know where to begin. The sight of all your beautiful faces and my young gentlemen grown into men, and looking so proud and handsome, makes me in a manner beside myself; and me and the old captain was but a-saying last night no longer could we bear the trouble, but must do ourselves a mischief."

Felix.—"You, a mischief! No, no, Smart, you were always a very good boy. It's only me was a mischief."

Smart.—"You are a very fine young gentleman, and be growed; dear me, Sir, how you be growed. I would not a known you but for them eyes, and that bit of mischief they have in them. Give me leave, Ma'am, just to take one good look of you all. My heart, how the young ladies have sprung up, like lilies on a stalk. Miss Gatty no doubt as free as ever, only quite a woman; and you, Ma'am, be a sight stouter. Oh, what a sight this is. Little did we think, ould captain and I, when we seed this onlucky island agin, little did we think as you was still here. When they brought us up out of the hold, I knowed the spot in a minute. Says I to the cap'in, 'Not content with murdering us they mean to cut our hearts in two. Here's the very blessed place as I saw them all last time as ever I laid eyes on them.' With that he gave a great shout and has never rightly been himself since. And, truly, with my own heart nigh bursting, his'n was a mighty heavy one to bear up. Spite of all our hard work, we did our best to examine every spot to find traces of you, and we came to the notion, as you were all gone, through good whiles, maybees safe, unknowst of our fate, maybees dead; any way, we thought you had escaped our sad hap."

Schillie.—"But, Smart, that's the end of your story, begin at the beginning."

Smart.—"Where's that, Ma'am? I know neither beginning or end of anything since that unlucky morn we slipped away."

Schillie.—"Where did you go to then?"

Smart.—"Why we sailed away some few days; the vessel was but a cockle on the water, she was so light, so that we were noways comfortable in the matter of steadiness and good walking ground. Anyways, however, we had plenty to do spelling at the pumps, and so we went on, I won't say with hearts as light as the vessel, until a shot struck the big stick as stands in the middle of the ship. Well, we looked about, and saw an evil-disposed, black-looking, hang-dog of a vessel, that sent shot upon shot into us. Well, the smell of powder did me good, and we gave it them back right well with them two brass guns, Master. I beg your pardon, Sir, you being so growed, Mr. Oscar. And so we should ha' gone on peppering them to this minute, until they were all dead or gave in, had it not been for them same guns getting so hot, they were next to no use at all. Howsumdever, when they came aboord, we gave it them in a manner as some will carry to their dying day. And though that never mended the matter, it's a poor heart that does not rejoice over something, and that something was the settling of a round dozen of them rascally pirates by my own hand."

The boys (together).—"Twelve pirates! Did you really kill twelve?"

Smart.—"Kill or drown 'em, you may reckon on that, Sirs, and many more would I have served out in like manner, but four great brutes came behind me, and cracked my skull to that degree as neither sight to my eyes or sense to my tongue came for a length of weeks. And, maybe, but for the good old captain, it's in heaven only (if God in his goodness will grant me to go there) that I ever thought to see your sweet faces again."

Lilly.—"Now, dear Smart, go on."

Smart.—"Yes, Miss Lilly, but what a head o' hair you have, my pretty young lady; why here are curls enough to hang a score of pirates, but never a hair shall go near them, mark my words. They shall hew me into mince-meat ere they look on the sight that makes me strong as lions."

Lilly.—"But go on, dear Smart."

Smart.—"The breadth and length of them shall pass over my body ere they touch even Mrs. Hargrave. My heart sings with joy. I feel as a giant refreshed, now I know thee to be all safe and well, and growed so beautiful. I wants nothing, I cares for nothing. It's enough that I see you once more."

All the little girls and boys.—"But, dear Smart, go on. What did the pirates do to you?"

Smart.—"They did that to me as I never thought living man would do. They marked my back with stripes, but I never felt them, for the wound in my heart. They worked me worse than any horse; yet I was glad to be druv from my thoughts. And when I would fall from weakness, want, and hard treatment, I would sink with pleasure, trusting my time was come, and that they would have nothing but senseless clay to kick. Howsumdever, God has been good to me. May I never forget this hour. All things will prosper now. The good time is coming, and the worst is over. Could we but build a bridge now to bonnie ould England, I would desire nothing else in this world, save one good fight with those d——. I humbly beg pardon, ladies, but excuse poor Smart, he has almost forgot his manners in the bad company he has been keeping."

The boys.—"Never mind, Smart, we will help you to kill them. Mother and cousin Schillie were going to set about it as soon as ever the pirate vessel was gone, and we were to help."

Felix.—"And I was going to have a right and left shot, Tommy."

Smart.—"And you would ha' settled 'em, I'll be bound, Sir. What a stout fine fellow you be growed, Sir, and I hope as good too, and very sensible too; and I dare say, Sir, quite the gentleman to the little ladies."

Felix (looking down).—"Yes, yes, I dare say, perhaps, Smart, but we are not able to be ladies and gentlemen here you know. We are obliged to be servants and everything, and Otty and I are the gamekeepers."

Smart.—"Well, I do suppose, Sir, that does not prevent your behaving in a civil like way to the little ladies."

Felix.—"Oh yes, we are very civil to them when they are kind to us. But once we could not have any fish, because Lilly would not give us one of her curls to make lines."

Smart.—"Oh, my heart alive, take one of these pretty curls to make fishing lines? Indeed, Master Felix, I always thought you were very oudacious, Sir, begging your pardon."

Felix.—"But she had such a many of them, Smart."

Mother.—"There you need say no more on that sore subject. You know Lilly repented afterwards, and you ought to be ashamed of mentioning the matter."

Felix.—"But I must just tell Smart she did give us two at last, her two longest and best; and, my stars, how angry Jenny was, I really thought she would whip me."

Jenny.—"Indeed, Sir, you was very aggravating. See how shocked Smart is that ever you should have wanted or taken Miss Lilly's curls."

Felix.—"Well, Smart, don't be angry, we will never do it any more, only they did make such good lines, and Mama was nearly as vexed as Jenny."

Big and little girls.—"Now, Smart, go on."

Smart.—"I ha' a'most done, ladies; them times is too shocking to remember; but it's true gospel, as we all remained servants and slaves to them——scums. They took the ship, and painted and fitted her out until her own sister would not ha' known her. And they came and went just as suited 'em, always a-leaving us with sum on 'em, and their wives, and houses, and children, in a outlandish place, hot as the place I trust they'll all go to."

Oscar.—"Sailors and all, Benjie and Mr. ——"

Smart.—"He, poor fellow, was done for at the first, and a good many of the sailors were likewise done up and made away with, so that, maybees, there was not six left on us. The cap'in and I have stuck to each other through fair and foul, though it's precious little of the former as has blessed our heads, and there be sum few yet remaining at that place I was telling you was so hot."

The Quixotic little girls and boys all exclaim, "Then we must go and save them, especially Benjie."

Smart.—"Hi, Benjie, he was doing very well, but, being a good decent sort of chap, it's my wonder he never poisoned them——ramscallions when cooking for them."

Smart always, when mentioning the pirates, seemed half choked in preventing himself saying some word that he did not deem proper for our ears. Sometimes it half slipped out, when he made an apologetical bow; sometimes he swallowed it whole; but he always paused, as if to give himself time to say it privately as a relief to his feelings.

But this conversation will be wearisome, so I will say no more than that Smart imagines they were brought to this island to help to look after the stores and gardens, and to be servants, the pirates not knowing the important interest they had in the island, or that they had ever seen it before. Also, that they intended to make it their regular colony, and by degrees bring their whole establishment there; for the island was very well known, and always shunned by vessels on account of the great snake, whom it seemed impossible to destroy. This accounted for our never seeing any vessels all this time; and the pirates would not have ventured there had it not been for the storm we had thought so unlucky, and which now seemed to be the crowning providence of our eventful lives.

In the meantime, Smart was never tired in listening to the children's tales, and whatever he was doing, he had the whole five clinging about him.



CHAPTER XXXV.

Madame fulfilled her promise, and in a few days we had the inexpressible satisfaction of sitting by the rude couch of the captain, and hearing his broken exclamations of happiness and delight. It seemed sufficient pleasure to him to watch us as we went about our various duties, and smiles mixed with tears often covered his poor thin face as the little ones vied with each other in nursing him. But he was too weak yet to enter into much conversation, and his nurse was very careful not to let him over-exert himself, for fear of a relapse. In fact, nature seemed to speak for him, as in reply to our anxious queries whether we could do anything for him, he would reply, "Nothing, nothing, but let me look at you, God be praised."

In these few days of exquisite happiness we forgot all about the pirates. Nobody watched them, nobody thought of them, though we have reason to suppose that they made a diligent search for their prisoners, and even persevered in it to the top of the large cavern. This we had deserted for some time on account of the dead body, and we now lived in the smaller ones lower down, one of which was so near the waterfall we had nearly as much light as above, and also heard the murmuring sound of the water in a very pleasing and cooling manner. Here, close by the waterfall, the little ones led their dear captain, that he might inhale as much of the fresh sea air as we could get, and from thence we, of course, watched our enemies. They seemed very busy indeed, and it was no small satisfaction to the children to watch them working so hard, and pointing them out to Smart, saying, "See, dear Smart, you would have been doing that if our great army had not come and saved you."

By degrees the captain told us a more coherent story than Smart had been able to give us, and said within a fortnight of their leaving us they were made prisoners by the pirates; that they dragged out lengthened days of misery, want, and ill-usage, only held up by the knowledge that our future deliverance depended upon their escape. And when time went on, and he thought it was almost impossible such a helpless party of women and children could survive and bear up under such an unhappy fate, he was almost reduced to despair, and they were both determined to do something desperate when they were put on board the pirates' vessel and brought here. And when brought up on deck, and Smart's exclamation awoke his mind to the fact that he was looking upon the lovely bay in which he had left us with hopes of a speedy and happy return, his brain turned with inward emotion, his heart seemed to turn to stone, he became a moving body without soul or sense, save an eager looking for traces of us.

These could, as we knew, be only so very faint they could leave no clue to our destiny. The first ray of hope that shot through him was finding one of our little notes, though, for some time, they thought it was but the writing of ancient days, and not meant for them now. But when they found another, and when the pirates picked more up, and turned them round and round to make out their meaning, a conviction shot through them they had some kind person interested in their fate on the island. But they had some difficulty in managing about the light, as burning it steady would have been forbidden by the pirates. A wild hope had now and then crossed their minds, but had each time been driven away as impossible, and it was not until they felt the soft smooth female hands in that dark but happy night that they gave up their minds to hopeful anticipations, mixed with some fears. How their fondest wishes were realized almost in the first flash of the torch had been already detailed, and while the weakened frame and overwrought mind of the captain sunk under the weight of so much happiness the buoyant Smart recovered his own character at once, and became all and everything he had ever been to us, with a double portion of strength, energy, and sense to assist and help us.

And now a fortnight had passed, and we found the pirates making great preparations to sail. This they soon did, and, counting their members as they went on board, we had the inexpressible happiness of finding that not one was left behind. Once more we had our dear little island to ourselves, and thoroughly did we enjoy the open air and brilliant sunshine, for, with all thankfulness for their kind shelter, it must be acknowledged the caverns were a little gloomy and musty. We wandered over every well-known place, shewed our dear house, now such a ruin, and expatiated upon all its beauties and conveniences, until the captain declared it must have been the most perfect house in the world, while Smart vowed he would settle a score of pirates for daring to burn it down.

And now we found out what the pirates had been so busy about during the last fortnight, namely, building a perfect village of huts at the old house by the plantation. The captain shook his head as he mournfully said, "the whole colony are coming to settle here," while Smart coolly declared, "he was mighty glad thereat, as he would not die happy unless he could settle 'em all, big and little." And forthwith persuaded everybody but Madame and Hargrave to take to ball practice as he called it, that the army might be ready in case of any emergency. We thought it no harm to practice with our neighbours' goods, though we meant to turn them against themselves. But Smart knew where their magazine was, and in a most unprincipled manner we abstracted whatever we could that would not be immediately discovered.

Smart, who always had had a secret admiration for Schillie's sang froid and man-like propensities, treated her as his favourite pupil; and after she had hit the mark seventeen times running, held her up to us as worthy of imitation.

Smart.—"I used to always be a-telling our cap'in they'll do well if they mind Mrs. E, she has the soul of a man and the wits of a king; and it's my belief even if they hadna gotten us back, she'd a outwitted them ere——rascallion divildims."

Nothing delighted the boys so much as to put Smart into a rage, talking about the pirates. The dooms they were all to meet with, if once he got them into his power, would have done for Foxe's book of Martyrs. But much as we enjoyed this time we were not idle; we were making constant preparations for the great struggle that must, we knew, inevitably take place between us and the pirates. And, calculating that they would arrive with their colony a short time before the wet weather, to get settled in their houses before it commenced, we should have that time to mature our plans, besides settling what had best be done.



CHAPTER XXXVI.

The sight of two sail in the horizon one evening prepared us for seeing them in harbour the next day. But conceive our indignation when the captain told us that the other dirty, dingy, ill-looking, black vessel was no other than our darling La Luna. To be sure she had not lost her elegant shape, but in every other respect she was so altered not one of us knew her. The little girls sat down and cried like fishes (if they do cry), and Madame helped to swell the stream by a copious flow of tears; while the indignation of the elder girls vented itself in anathemas and threats against the pirates, that showed they had profited pretty considerably by Smart's conversation and opinions. We were now obliged to take to our burrows, and watched, with immense wrath and disgust, the debarkation of the female pirates from the pretty cabins and berths of our La Luna.

In appearance and manners they matched the men, but we agreed amongst ourselves, tall and fierce as they looked, we were not afraid of them, and had no objection to "settle them," as Smart called it. There were fifteen women and about eleven children, while the pirates themselves now amounted to forty-five. Fearful odds against us. Nevertheless, the courage and determination of the army rose higher and higher. They had only just time to get themselves into their houses and huts, and the ships into winter quarters; ere the bad weather commenced. How they spent their time on the island we never enquired. It was enough that we were very happy within her friendly bosom, indulging in all sorts of merriment and fun, knowing they were a good way off, close prisoners like ourselves. And while in the pretty, elegant, and spacious drawing-room once before mentioned, so replete with luxury, beauty, and every comfort, mourners still sat and thought of and wept for the long-lost, the mysteriously-doomed members of that once happy family; each kind face bearing the traces of the anxious fear and thoughts months but added to and time could not heal: how looked the little party in the coral caverns of the Pacific? We will look at them once more, ere we take our leave of them for good. Lying on a rude grass couch is an elderly lady, her hair snow-white, and covered with a cambric handkerchief to serve as a cap; she is reading. Not far from her are two servants, in long blue rough dresses; they seem preparing a meal. On the other side of them is seated, on a rude bench, a weather-beaten white-haired man; a pretty graceful girl of twelve is watching him concocting a pair of shoes, and as they are for herself, she diligently assists. A little sparkling bright face peeps behind, and mischievously adorns the captain's head with Hargrave's sad remains of a cap, which she always carefully puts aside when doing anything likely to hurt it. Not far from them is the fine, tall, athletic frame of the keeper, both boys intently watching him making fishing lines, they dressed in loose white shirts, open in front, and full white trousers; the elder boy imitating the art of making lines, the little one exciting his parrot to abstract Smart's apparatus, as fast as he puts one thing down after another, which leads to sundry threats on Smart's part that he will "settle" both young Master and parrot if they are not quiet. As this "settling" never takes place, of course the delinquents go on, even to abstracting all the treasures out of Smart's pockets. But you can see by Smart's eye a day of reckoning is coming for those two. There are no less than nine parrots making more or less noise in the cavern, who have each a different owner, and whose voices they distinguish with wonderful sagacity, and hop, crawl, and climb in their quaint manner whenever they are called.

Two little, quiet, serious-looking monkeys are busily watching the preparations for dinner, appropriating what they can to themselves in so secret and sly a manner that Hargrave is totally ignorant of the real thieves, and accuses Jenny wrathfully of misplacing her things. Jenny laughs and shows her pretty white teeth, enjoying the joke as much as we do.

Three fine, tall, becoming girls, each above the middle size, one fair and bright-looking as the sun, another graceful as the fawn with eyes and mouth the perfection of sweet gentle beauty, and the last a sort of female Smart, strong as a young elephant, with mouth like rosebuds, teeth like almonds, and eyes so bright in their dark beauty you could hardly gaze into them; such were the dear girls, a sight, as the captain said, such as he only thought to see in heaven. They are grouped together over two weaving machines, and while one is employed removing the broken threads that invariably occur in our clumsy machines, the other two throw the shuttle to and fro. Not with much diligence though for that ever-mischievous Gatty throws one impediment after another in their way, so that I foresee the two sisters will suddenly set upon her, and there will be a regular scuffle.

And who is that lying her full length on the ground, the flushed cheek resting on one hand, the violet eyes closed, and the knitted stocking that requires finishing that day has fallen from the little listless hand? Oh Lilly, Lilly, idle Lilly, here are you soundly sleeping, and there is your parrot conceitedly thinking he can do the work of his lazy little mistress, and in another minute it will be all destroyed. Wake up, little sleeper, wake up, and collect those long curls floating like a raven curtain about you. Think what Madame will say if she catches but a glimpse of you. A little apart from all stands one tall figure, taller than all the rest, her dark hair folded back from her forehead, her dark eyes watching each beloved group, while she spins unceasingly. Close at her feet sits her shadow, clothed in the same sort of long white dress, with the open sleeves disclosing the prettiest ivory arms in the world. Short curling hair of a rich dark colour hangs round the white neck and broad forehead of the sitter, and what are those little pink and white fingers doing? Must I tell? A faithful historian must recite plain facts, and, therefore, provided the secret goes no further, I will allow she was cleaning pistols! And, according to Smart's opinion, "she did 'em a sight better than many a man he had had under him."

Now and then those clear dark eyes look up, and she says, "Now, June, stop that everlasting wheel or I shall have you fainting with fatigue."

Mother.—"Take my place then."

Schillie.—"Good lack, spinning is such dull work. Let me finish my pistols first."

And of course dinner is announced ere the pistols are pronounced complete. A solemn grace said by the dear captain, whose "God be thanked" comes slowly from the lips as if the heart was with it. Then a merry dinner, Smart, and the maidens waiting on us, for nothing will persuade Smart to sit down with us, and Jenny keeps him company, and Hargrave, with a little hauteur condescends to do the same. All sorts of pranks go on between Smart and the boys during dinner. Felix trying to upset his solemn gravity, while Oscar sends him with preserved ginger to Schillie's duck, roasted potatoes to Madame's tapioca pudding, whereby he gets very shamefaced, as Schillie, with blunt sincerity, points out his mistake. Then behind us he shakes his fist at the boys, while they invent fresh nonsense to tease him. In the meantime the dispute runs hot and high between the little girls as to who is to sit next to their beloved captain, Gatty and Serena making believe that they will assert their rights as Signori Priori, and take the coveted seats.

However dinner is over, and we all adjourned to the lowest cavern while the servants eat theirs. Then we sing songs and tell stories.

Felix.—"Cousin Schillie, you promised to tell us the story of the jack-daws if we behaved well and obeyed our general."

Schillie.—"Pooh! pooh! you have heard it a hundred times, boy."

Felix.—"But the captain has not."

"I should like to hear it very much," said he.

Mother.—"Then, Schillie, you will have to tell it again for the hundred and first time, and you, captain, must not think that you are to hear a very wonderful story, but, as it is the only one she was ever known to tell, we are obliged to make her repeat it again and again. If she would kindly tell us a fresh one we should be obliged, but, as she won't, we will prepare ourselves to listen once more to the tale of

THE JACK-DAWS.

Once upon a time (this is too bad of you June) there stood an old church in the middle of a village (making me tell this old story), and this church had a very fine old tower (I wish you up in it now), and in this tower lived a fine pair of jack-daws (fine company for you). Well! you must know these jack-daws had a large family of greedy young children (just like you). Now there lived in the village, (besides many other brats) two boys, a big boy and a little boy. The big boy was a great big stout hulking fellow, with a snubby nose and green eyes; and the little fellow was a nice active chap, about the size of Tom Thumb, quick and sharp as a needle. So one day these two boys sat in the church-yard, and watched the jack-daws as they flew hither and thither and everywhere. Says the little fellow, 'Them jack-daws must have a nest up there.' Says the big chap, 'No doubt, and I would like to have the young ones,' (mind children it's a wicked thing taking birds from their nests; look at all of you away from your nests; go on, cousin, go on, the captain is quite impatient). Well! so they agreed they would climb up the old church tower, and get the young ones, which accordingly they did. Now you must know the old jack-daws, being very knowing, had built their nest so that it was outside the tower, just out of their reach, and there they could see almost within grasp seven little jack-daws, all with their mouths wide open, waiting for their father to pop in a delicious fat worm! ('Oh, cousin, how nasty,' says Winny). So the two boys were much puzzled, but at last the big one takes hold of a plank, and, putting it out of the little window, 'Now,' says he, 'go you and sit at that end and I will push the plank out of the window, and you will just be able to reach the nest.' 'Very well,' says the little fellow, 'but mind you sit at the other end, lest the plank tilts up with me, and I go down.' 'All right,' says the big fellow, and away goes the little boy. 'I have got them all seven,' says he, 'and very fine ones they are.' 'Very well', says the big boy, 'mind four are mine, and three are yours.' 'No such thing,' says the little one, 'I underwent the danger, so I'll have the four, and you shall have the three.' 'No you shall not,' says big bully. 'Yes I will,' says the little sturdy fellow. 'I will let you down if you don't give me the four,' says the big rascal. 'Let away,' says the small boy, 'I won't give them up.' So the young villain let go the plank, and away went the little fellow, holding stoutly on by his little birds. Well the seven jack-daws spread their wings and fluttered, and the wind being high, it filled a great stout pinafore that he had on, so that between the two, he was borne safely to the ground, when, looking up at the window, out of which the big bully was watching his flight, he shouted out, 'Now you shall have none of them.'



CHAPTER XXXVII.

Felix.—"Now, captain, if you had seen that big boy, would you not have walloped him?"

"Most certainly," said the captain, "but now we must be thinking of more important matters." And as the hot weather set in with more than ordinary vigour, it was very clear that we should not be safe in our caverns, subjected to the earthquakes that generally accompany the heat.

Besides we were getting restless and impatient. If all alone by ourselves, we had meditated getting the better of the pirates—think what wild schemes we now had, with Smart and the captain to help us.

But we must wait until some of them went away in the ships after their usual avocations, as even the bravest amongst us did not hope to conquer them all. They seemed however bent upon making their homes more comfortable before they went, and it was somewhat late in the season when they started in their own vessel, leaving La Luna and half their men behind. These latter were employed in sowing seeds and preparing the ground for fruits and vegetables. We saw but little of the women, as they hardly ever left their side of the island. We now discussed the possibility of dispatching those parties who were left behind, thinking though there were many more than we expected, yet we might get rid of them, and taking possession of La Luna, get off the island at once. A mad scheme it certainly was and nothing but the ardent longing we had to escape made us think of it so confidently.

In the meantime, Smart gained the captain's permission, to "settle" any of the men he might catch in a convenient position, so as to shoot them, without exposing himself or us to risk of discovery. So highly did he appreciate this permission, that he never ceased day or night dodging about and watching these people, and three times he came in with ill-concealed triumph, though he respected our feelings too much to do more than insinuate he had "settled" some one or more. We, in the meanwhile, occupied ourselves in making sacks and putting food into them, ready to start at a moment's warning should a favourable time arrive.

The pirates, we suppose, now began to suspect, from the extraordinary death of three of their men, that the two prisoners were concealed somewhere in the island, and not being able to discover them, or to account for deaths taking place in such different parts of the island, they kept altogether, close to the plantation side, and left the bay entirely to us.

This gave Smart an opportunity of getting to the ship and bringing off a boat, which we concealed by day in a cleft of the rock, but nightly we employed ourselves in running down to the shore with everything we had collected, which Smart and the captain stowed in the ship. We had been at this work about a week, in full confidence and in the highest spirits, our hopes were great, the dangers of the voyage appeared as nothing, all our plans seemed succeeding, when one night, just as we were all creeping up, tired and worn out with our night's work, we heard shriek upon shriek from one of our party.

The strong sonorous voice of the captain shouted to us to get to cover. Smart followed, huddling us all in like sheep, but, dark as it was, we could not see who was missing, and I could not trust my voice to ask. We ran to the inner cavern, and there, by the light of the torch, we missed the darling child, Zoe, and both the maids.

Smart.—"Don't fret, Ma'am, don't fret, no harm is done. We'll have 'em back by the morn. The cap'in and I will just take a step out and look about us, and you, Madam, will be ready to help us, no doubt," turning to Schillie.

Schillie.—"Yes, yes, Smart, I am quite willing. As for you, June, mind what Smart says, and don't fret. If we could rescue those two from all of them, think how much more likely we are to succeed now. I am only afraid that fool Hargrave will do us a mischief. I wish it had been any other person than her in the scrape."

Captain.—"Now then, Madam, send them all to rest, and don't fear anything. Smart and I are not likely to sit still while our brave deliverers are in danger. And as for my pretty flower, I'll cut through a wall of pirates to get at her."

Mother.—"Then, Madame, take them all away. I assure you I cannot sleep. I am ready to help with Schillie. Let us settle at once what is best to be done."

They all went off most unwillingly, while we arranged that getting up through the big cavern by the rope still concealed there, Smart should go to the pirates' village, in as secret a manner as he could, and find out what was best to be done, and where the prisoners were placed. No time was to be lost. He was guided immediately to the place, not only by the glare of the torches, but by the screams of Hargrave, and following them cautiously, he concealed himself close by one of the windows where they were put, and heard all that took place.

Jenny was recognised immediately, and the innocent child was frightened almost into a fainting fit by the rough and horrid manners of these dreadful people. But, according to Smart's account, Mrs. Hargrave was in a mort of tantrums. He got back in safety, though with much difficulty, and then detailed to us the following facts:

They were, as before, questioned all about themselves, and Jenny, as before, stoutly maintained all were dead. They pointed to the child, and smiled in scorn, but Zoe, like a brave little girl, positively refused to say more than Jenny did, making the tears run down Smart's face as he described the little white lips, so firm and decided; and each time, by way of puzzling her, they put the question in a different manner, each time she pointed to the three as if they were all.

Smart.—"I beant one bit afeard of them two, but I am of that Mrs. Hargrave; and it crossed my mind, when I heerd her shrieking and squalling for you all, if I had not better put a bullet in her head just to silence her, only I did not for ould acquaintance sake, and I seed, by the sniggling of them oudacious monsters, as they meant to get some'at out of her. I gave Jenny to understand as I was near at hand, and the brave little thing, I could see by her eye, knowed the sound, but never a sign gave she."

Captain.—"I am afraid, Smart, it is of no use trying to deceive them any longer, as they must be now aware that there is some place of concealment on the island unknown to them; and, from my knowledge of their character, I know their cunning and devilry is so great they will leave no stone unturned to find it out."

Smart.—"Cap'n, you and I agree, and it's through that weak fool Mrs. Hargrave as they'll sarcumvent us. I never thought she had much brains, and now I reckon she has worse nor none. Jenny and Miss Zoe would ha' got clear off, had it not been for her skriking and pulling at 'hem, for I heerd Jenny a giving it her handsome, saying she must ha' had the heart of a savage to keep such hold of Miss Zoe when the pirates took her, instead of letting the little innocent lady escape as she could; and, though she did not say so, I am partly sure Jenny might ha' got off well, only she was a-trying to get Miss Zoe free from that weak woman, a-holding on like grim death, and, finding she wasn't capable, she bided with the child to be a help and comfort to her."

Mother.—"Ah, how like that good Jenny."

Schillie.—"She certainly is a little trump, and never thinks of herself."

Madame.—"If I fold my darling Zoe in my arms once more, I shall never be able sufficiently to show my gratitude to Jane."

Captain.—"She shall never want for bite nor sup, once we get her free, as long as I live."

Felix.—"She is not your Jenny, captain, she is mine, she is always to live with me, and, when I am married, she is to be my children's nurse."

Sybil and Serena and Gatty all expressed their admiration, while Gatty added, "I wish Smart had sent his bullet where he said, for if there is an owl in the world it is that Hargrave."

The captain proceeded to state that there seemed no likelihood of the prisoners being harmed at present. I had visions before my eyes of the old stories where innocent children are brought forward with bloody swords held over their heads, ready to be sacrificed if they did not confess and capitulate, and while all agreed they would sacrifice themselves for Zoe and Jenny, Smart and the captain declared we were not allowed the choice, for our lives were in their keeping, and all must not be sacrificed for two. We none of us seemed to have the least pity or care for poor Hargrave.

"It was mighty lucky," said Smart, "she could speak nothing but her mother tongue, and that but badly clipping and mincing it, for she was letting out everything in such a way I could ha' shook her well; and I'll be bound to do it when I next see her. I hopes as they did not understand, but I ha' my doubts."

The captain now set them all to work watching at different posts, with orders to run and tell him all that occurred every half hour. Turning to Schillie and me he said, "Ladies I would advise you to prepare for the worst. They will work on the fears of that silly woman I doubt. We must be prepared, and while I can defend the entrance for a good hour, you must make your retreat, and where that is to be the Lord only knows."

Mother.—"If we could get to the top of that big rock standing out this side the bay, we can keep them off for some time there."

Captain.—"That rock is but changing one desperate hope for another. However we must trust in God. I'll try and believe that poor woman will not utterly forget herself and us."

Schillie.—"Why! my good captain, this island is like a rabbit warren, they can never unearth us if we choose to be moderately careful."

Captain.—"I have no doubt we could hide here for some time, but, with such a lot of young ones all the care in the world on our parts may be upset in a moment by thoughtlessness on theirs. Besides, they won't leave a corner unvisited I feel sure, partly out of revenge, for they are a most spiteful race, and partly from feeling persuaded you are the people so long lost, and for whose recovery such large rewards are offered."

Schillie.—"In that case I imagine they won't harm us."

Captain.—"They might not perhaps have done so at first, but 'they will cut off their nose to spite their face' I am certain; by which I mean they will be so savage at losing their men, and so angered at having been deceived all this time by such a helpless party, that they might murder us all in cold blood on the spur of the moment."

Schillie.—"And that will be very unpleasant as far as I can judge."

Mother.—"I should think we could make some hiding places amongst the caverns, captain."

Captain.—"So we could, Madam, had we time, and if I live but an hour, or for one hundred years, my regret at not having taken the precaution will be the same."

Schillie.—"Give me any orders you like, captain, and they shall be done if possible."

Captain.—"I know they will, I know for certain they will, so now I will tell you all I think, and you shall decide for yourselves. In the first place, have you any doubt but that if the pirates let Mrs. Hargrave go as to where she will come?"

Schillie.—"Like any wild bull she will of course rush to these caverns and expose our hiding places."

Captain.—"Then we agree, Madam, and without doubt the pirates will watch her and discover all. Now are we to run the chance of finding safe hiding places in these numerous caverns, or show ourselves at once and give fair fight?"

Mother (shaking and shivering).—"That I hold to be impossible, for there must be twelve pirates left, besides all the women and children, and look at us."

Captain.—"We have but a poor chance indeed, Ma'am, but remember, Madam, Smart and I have the hearts of a dozen strong men in our bosoms, ready to sacrifice all for those we love so much, and who risked their lives to save us. I feel, yes, I feel as if a wall of pirates must fall before such a spirit as is within me fails."

Mother.—"But in the fight, supposing any of the children should get hurt, supposing one of the party were killed, I think, I really think I would rather all went at one blow than that we should have to mourn the loss of one."

Captain.—"I can understand your feelings well, Madam, and——"

Schillie.—"Come, captain, don't let her talk any more nonsense, crying her eyes out, let you and I go and take as quick a view of the caverns as we can, and leave her to watch, there is no danger for an hour or so. And here is a pencil and a bit of paper for you to keep you quiet until we come back. Write a page for that beautiful journal, for you have got something rather more interesting to detail than heretofore."

Mother.—"Schillie, I shall really begin to think you quite heartless."

Schillie.—"Pray do. I only wish it was the case, for I doubt our hearts will be sadly torn to bits the next few days."

They returned in less than an hour with rather less hope than they had before of our being able to hide in the caverns. One thing was certain we could not hide altogether, and the notion of being in different places, and not knowing whether one set might not be discovered and the others looking on, not daring to help for fear of discovering more, quite upset me. I began to think any fate was better than playing bo-peep in the caverns, and so I said, "We will take our chance on the rock, for we have many things ready by the waterfall which were meant for the ship, and we need but snatch up a bundle a-piece."

Schillie.—"When up there, too, we can look down upon our enemies, and take good aim. I shall not fire at random, but pick out my man."

Mother.—"Don't be so bloody-minded. Hark! there is a scream!"

The captain looked out, applying an epithet to Mrs. Hargrave that only the exigency of the case could excuse. He said, "Here she comes, and I make no doubt the whole body of them after her. You'll find lots of bottles and kegs on the right hand side within the waterfall. Whatever you do think of water. Hang that woman she is coming straight away. I see those rascals close behind her, she'll be here in five minutes. Come, gang, oh gang yer ways, oh aye here she is, sailing like a mad woman."