ing to the sky like a
prayer of the church; a cry like the first high notes of the _Te Deum_.
The lads swung aloft in the rigging, the men below flung up their caps,
the gunners pounded away on the deck, there was a general thrill of
excitement, an outburst of oaths, yells, and shrill cries in voluble
chorus. The men cheered like fanatics, the General's misgivings
deepened, and he grew uneasy; it seemed to him that there was some
horrible mystery in such wild transports.

"My daughter!" he cried, as soon as he could speak. "Where is my
daughter?"

For all answer, the captain of the privateer gave him a searching
glance, one of those glances which throw the bravest man into a
confusion which no theory can explain. The General was mute, not a
little to the satisfaction of the crew; it pleased them to see their
leader exercise the strange power which he possessed over all with whom
he came in contact. Then the captain led the way down a staircase and
flung open the door of a cabin.

"There she is," he said, and disappeared, leaving the General in a
stupor of bewilderment at the scene before his eyes.

Helene cried out at the sight of him, and sprang up from the sofa on
which she was lying when the door flew open. So changed was she that
none but a father's eyes could have recognized her. The sun of the
tropics had brought warmer tones into the once pale face, and something
of Oriental charm with that wonderful coloring; there was a certain
grandeur about her, a majestic firmness, a profound sentiment which
impresses itself upon the coarsest nature. Her long, thick hair, falling
in large curls about her queenly throat, gave an added idea of power
to the proud face. The consciousness of that power shone out from every
movement, every line of Helene's form. The rose-tinted nostrils were
dilated slightly with the joy of triumph; the serene happiness of her
life had left its plain tokens in the full development of her beauty. A
certain indefinable virginal grace met in her with the pride of a woman
who is loved. This was a slave and a queen, a queen who would fain obey
that she might reign.

Her dress was magnificent and elegant in its richness; India muslin was
the sole material, but her sofa and cushions were of cashmere. A Persian
carpet covered the floor in the large cabin, and her four children
playing at her feet were building castles of gems and pearl necklaces
and jewels of price. The air was full of the scent of