Part 51 (1/2)
”I've always managed to see the way out of any place I've got into, sir,” replied Small. ”Please Heaven, sir, we'll get out of this too.”
”Very well,” said the captain. ”Gentlemen, I will lead, and let the boats follow at a sufficient distance from each other not to run the risk of fouling.”
Captain Va.s.silato was lifted into the cutter, she was shoved off through the surf, and the impetus almost sent her up to the entrance. A high black mound appeared to rise before her, obscuring the view even of the lights on board the s.h.i.+ps, and seeming to block up all exit. Small's eyes were keen, he exactly hit the pa.s.sage, and the boat, rising on the surge, her oars almost touching the rocks on either side, darted out into the open sea. For an instant only, Fleetwood went 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 Grantham was very much grieved to hear of the loss of so many men, and that the young lady had been again spirited away, and promised, as soon as it was daylight, to go in chase of her; but in the dark, he considered it worse than useless to move from his comparatively snug berth. He was glad a nest of such determined pirates had been routed out; but, independent of more humane motives, he regretted to have to send up to the Admiralty so long a list of casualties. It showed, however, that it was no trifling affair, and he might truly state, that it was impossible to count the number of the enemy killed.
”You, Fleetwood, do as you think best,” said Captain Grantham. ”If you wish to get under weigh, 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 westward of this; and when it moderates, or if the wind s.h.i.+fts, I shall stand to the northward, towards the Gulf of Salonica, where there are numerous hordes of pirates, with whom Zappa is certain to find friends.”
”I am not quite so sure of that--remember, two of a trade can never agree. However, it is as well to try in that direction. I will stand to the southward and westward, and will send Rawson to the eastward, and we will then rendezvous off this island, unless we happen to catch sight of our friend in the meantime, in a week or ten days--Heaven grant that we may have success!”
CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.
When Zappa saw, by the overwhelming number of his enemies who poured into the fort, that he must perish or make good his retreat from the island, he ordered those of the _Sea Hawk's_ crew who were on sh.o.r.e to accompany him; and retreating from the fight, he left them below while he rushed up into Ada's tower, and gained the chamber where the terrified females were a.s.sembled.
”Fond girl, I will not leave you to perish or to be branded as the pirate's mistress,” he exclaimed, clasping Nina in his arms. ”I will not quit you till I can place you in safety--come with me.”
”We will live or die together,” murmured Nina, forgetting, 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 my head, and you have your revenge--farewell.”
Miss Garden's heart beat quick with hope. The moment of her emanc.i.p.ation 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 arms, exclaimed,--”Haste, signora, 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 come to save her, nor attempted to struggle in his grasp. 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 seemed to be endowed with strength almost superhuman; he gained the bottom of the steps, and rus.h.i.+ng on, was soon among the body of the retreating crew of the _Sea Hawk_, who were following their captain.
They all recognised Paolo, who was a favourite among them, and aided him in supporting his burden.
”Oh where are you taking me to?” exclaimed Ada, when, too late, she heard the sounds of the strange voices round her, and found that she was descending the ravine.
”To happiness and freedom,” he answered pa.s.sionately, 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 intense misery without her, and he could not bring himself 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, timid Paolo had been sadly changed by the scenes he had witnessed, and the burning love to which, he had madly resigned his soul. She saw at length that all appeals to his generosity or better feelings were vain, and overcome with horror, she fainted.
When they reached the beach, Zappa and Nina had already embarked; he placed Ada in another boat, with the rear-guard of the pirates. They were quickly alongside, and she was lifted on deck, still insensible, and, without the chief seeing her, Paolo carried her in his arms below.
Instantly the brig was under weigh, and darting out of the harbour, was hotly engaged with the _Ypsilante_.
Once on the open sea, the pirates breathed more freely, and sail after sail, notwithstanding the strength of the breeze, was let fall from the yards. The shot of the fort had already damaged their enemy, and now bringing their broadside to bear on her just before she kept away in chase, they raked her fore-and-aft, killing many of the people, and cutting away much of her rigging.
The _Sea Hawk_ was celebrated for her speed, and the rigging of the _Ypsilante_ was much cut up, but her commanding officer was a gallant fellow, and crippled as he was, determined, if he could, not to lose sight of the enemy; and was soon after her, firing his bow-chasers with little or no effect, as the _Sea Hawk_ was rapidly running from them, firing her stern guns in return.