Part 25 (1/2)
That ain examined the vessel with his telescope
”It is, lady--it is the rover's flag, under which I have fought in many a hard-contested battle,” he exclaimed with animation ”No one else would venture to carry that banner, and ill assemble his followers to receive him with honour Lady, do you retire to the chamber in the tohere he will, doubtless, hurry on his arrival, and it er him were you not there to welcome hirandfather I would go down to the beach to receive his chief the instant he sets foot on shore,” said Nina, with greater resolution in her tone than she had hitherto expressed when speaking
The old pirate understood what she said, and turned round on her with an angry frohich showed that he was a person whoerous to contradict
”Lady, ht, except when you were locked up in the tower I have already disobeyed them more than once, for I knew you would not run away; and I illing to gratify you and lect theo back to the tower It is also a farplace for you to receive hiaze on the beach”
A crimson blush overspread the cheek of the lovely Italian, as she heard what Vlacco said, and she kneas hopeless to atte him alter his resolution
”Then I a her steps towards the tower, accompanied by Mila
”Very like it, lady,” muttered the old pirate ”By my patron saint, I would not have ventured to speak in that way a year ago, when her poas omnipotent in the island But her rule would not last for ever with our chief, that I guessed fro coether Well, the _Sea Haill very soon be in the harbour, so Ithis, he climbed to the top of one of the ruined walls of the castle, and taking a horn, which hung by the girdle at his side, he blew a blast, which sounded far and wide throughout the island It was answered by several sounds in various directions
In a short ti; some up the steep path on the side of the ravine, others across the causeway; and as they assembled, they were marshalled in order by Vlacco in front of the tower
Nina and her companion had placed thes below
The gathering of the pirate's followers--for so Vlacco had pronounced the co to be,--continued for some time, till Nina observed upwards of fifty persons collected--some of them were very old men, and others were boys, but there were few in the pri been called away on some expedition with their thief They were all arreat variety of weapons: so Turkish -pieces; every one had a dagger and one or enerally of the rich workmanshi+p of the East Their costuh the red skull-cap was generally worn, soreen colour, which, as if in mockery of the Turks, should cover the scalps of none but the true descendants of the Prophet So trousers and loose waistcoat of the main; indeed, their costume was as varied as their arms, and showed that here were collected persons driven from various parts of Greece by the tyranny of their Ottoman oppressors
As soon as a sufficient nued out, under Vlacco's directions, one of the large guns froe of the cliff, where, between the rocks, there was a sort of natural embrasure, partly aided by art, while a platforun there It was an admirable position, as it so completely overlooked the entrance to the cave, that a shot sent fro to enter
As Nina watched these proceedings, she could scarcely tell, from the appearance of the arun in the battery, whether he was preparing to receive the approaching vessel in a hostile manner The idea of treachery caht, ” possession of all the riches in the tower?” But she soon discarded her fears as i that those ere on board with hi behind
The purpose Vlacco had in placing the gun there was soon made obvious
It was loaded and fired--the report reverberating in thunder a the rocks Scarcely had the noise ceased, when puffs of smoke were seen to issue from the vessel's side, a faint echo was heard fronal and answer er any doubt that it is his vessel See, she see on more rapidly than before”
Such was the case, for the sea breeze had lately somewhat freshened, and every sail was spread to woo it
Majestically the brig glided over the blue sea, like a swan ski over a tranquil lake As seen at that distance, she appeared a mass of white canvas; nor did she cause a ripple on the calm, mirror-like surface On she came, till her deck see Italian fancied, in her eagerness, that she could see the countenances of those alked it, and could distinguish the chief himself from all the rest Surely none but those well acquainted with the spot would venture thus to run on directly against that rocky shore
The inhabitants of the opposite village had long recognised the _Sea Hawk_, and had returned on shore, giving up their anticipations of finding her a stranger, on whoht pounce unawares, and er boats remained just at the , should the wind fail her at that very juncture, which it was not unlikely to do
Vlacco had uard of five at the tower, led theh the ravine When within four or five hundred fathoether, every other sail was clewed up, and she shot like an arrow through the narrow opening, her yard-ar the rocks on either side; her anchor was let go, and she swung round just clear of the other craft in the centre of the basin
Her arrival was greeted by loud shouts from the people on shore, which were answered by the crew, and then succeeded inquiries from those in the boats for some who did not appear
”Alas! they have fallen in the fight,” was the answer
A sigh or an expression of sorroas their only requieht?” was the question erly asked
”Thanks to our captain's skill and bravery, we have never had more success, or so rich a booty, with so little cost A few of our brave comrades have paid the debt all must pay; but we have ever come off victorious Huzza for our brave captain! Huzza for Zappa!”