Part 51 (1/2)

”I've always ot into, sir,” replied Set out of this too”

”Very well,” said the captain ”Gentlemen, I will lead, and let the boats follow at a sufficient distance fro”

Captain Vassilato was lifted into the cutter, she was shoved off through the surf, and the ih blackthe view even of the lights on board the shi+ps, and see to block up all exit Se, and the boat, rising on the surge, her oars al the rocks on either side, darted out into the open sea For an instant only, Fleetent alongside the _Ione_ to put his Greek friend on board, and to order Saltwell to get everything ready for weighing the instant he returned, and he then pulled off to the frigate to make a report of what had occurred, and to advise the instant pursuit of the pirate

Captain Grantharieved to hear of the loss of so ain spirited away, and proo in chase of her; but in the dark, he considered it worse than useless to lad a nest of such determined pirates had been routed out; but, independent of retted to have to send up to the Ad a list of casualties It showed, however, that it was no trifling affair, and he ht truly state, that it was impossible to count the number of the enemy killed

”You, Fleetwood, do as you think best,” said Captain Granthah, do so; but, tell me, what plan do you propose to pursue?”

”I think, while the present gale lasts, of standing across to examine the island to the ard of this; and when it moderates, or if the wind shi+fts, I shall stand to the northward, towards the Gulf of Salonica, where there are numerous hordes of pirates, hom Zappa is certain to find friends”

”I am not quite so sure of that--reree However, it is as well to try in that direction I will stand to the southward and ard, and will send Rawson to the eastward, and ill then rendezvous off this island, unless we happen to catch sight of our friend in the rant that we may have success!”

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN

When Zappa saw, by the overwhel number of his eneood his retreat from the island, he ordered those of the _Sea Hawk's_ creere on shore to accoht, he left theained the chamber where the terrified feirl, I will not leave you to perish or to be branded as the pirate'sNina in his arms ”I will not quit you till I can place you in safety--coether,” , in that moment of defeat and disaster, all the cruelty of which he had been guilty towards her

”Lady, your friends have gained the day,” he continued, turning to Ada

”You have brought rain on e--farewell”

Miss Garden's heart beat quick with hope The moment of her emancipation had at last arrived, and he whom she loved had come to her rescue At the instant the pirate disappeared, a person rushed forward, and seizing her in his arnora, from hence, or destruction awaits us”

She knew Paolo Montifalcone's voice; and believing that the pirate had intended to blow up the tower, she fancied that he had corasp She shrieked out to Marianna to follow her, but the poor girl was so petrified with horror at the death of little Mila, which had just taken place, that she could not move, and in vain Ada implored the Italian to stop for her attendant His only reply was--”It will be too late, and we shall be destroyed--on, on”

He seeained the botto the body of the retreating crew of the _Sea Haere following their captain

They all recognised Paolo, as a favourite a his burden

”Oh where are you taking me to?” exclaie voices round her, and found that she was descending the ravine

”To happiness and freedom,” he answered passionately, and pressed her closer in his arms

Ada, with horror, saw that she was cruelly betrayed She shrieked aloud, and struggled to get free; but he who bore her had pictured the only joy he could hope for in possessing her, and intensehimself to relinquish what he valued more than life itself

”Hear me, sweet Ada,” he exclaimed, as he still bore her on ”He whom you loved is dead, and a heart devoted as mine, is alone worthy to occupy the place he held”

Still Ada entreated him to have mercy on her, to take her back to her friends, who must even now be in the tower she had just quitted; but he was deaf to all her prayers

The gentle, tied by the scenes he had witnessed, and the burning love to which, he had th that all appeals to his generosity or better feelings were vain, and overcome with horror, she fainted