rilously near. They were writhing around her forefoot now, yet the
wind was at last coming in over the other bow.

"We're safe!" cried Morgan. "Flatten in forward! Haul aft the sheets and
braces!"

At that instant there was a terrific crash heard above the roar of the
tempest. The foretopmast of the _Almirante Recalde_ carried sharply off
at the hounds. Relieved of the pressure, she shot up into the wind once
more and drove straight into the seething seas. They were lost with
their treasure, their hopes, and their crimes! At the mercy of wind and
wave!

The men were as quick to see the danger as was Morgan. They came rushing
aft baring their weapons, pouring curses and imprecations upon him. He
stood with folded arms, a scornful smile on his old face, looking upon
them, Carib watching and ready by his side. In another second, with a
concussion which threw them all to the deck, the doomed ship struck
heavily upon the sands.

BOOK III

WHICH TREATS OF THE TANGLED LOVE AFFAIRS OF THE PEARL OF CARACAS

CHAPTER IX

DISCLOSES THE HOPELESS PASSION BETWEEN DONNA MERCEDES DE LARA AND
CAPTAIN DOMINIQUE ALVARADO, THE COMMANDANTE OF LA GUAYRA

Captain Dominique Alvarado stood alone on the plaza of the ancient
castle which for over a century had been the home of the governors of La
Guayra. He was gazing listlessly down over the parapet which bordered
the bare sheer precipice towering above the seaport town. There was
nothing in his eyes, but a great deal in his heavy heart.

[Illustration]

Captain Alvarado, who filled the honorable station of commandante of the
port, was a soldier of proven courage. The _protege_ and favorite
officer of his serene highness the Count Alvaro de Lara, Grandee of
Spain and Viceroy of Venezuela, he had been honored with great
responsibilities, which he had discharged to the satisfaction of his
master. From a military point of view the office of Governor of La
Guayra, which he then filled, was of sufficient importance to entitle
him to high position and much consideration in the vice-regal court of
Caracas.

Of unknown parentage, Alvarado had been received into the family of the
viceroy when an infant. He had been carefully reared, almost as he had
been de Lara's son, and had been given abundant opportunity to
distinguish himself. In the course of his short life he had managed to
amass a modest fortune by honorable means. He was young and handsome; he
had been instructed, for