he rear, to the front. The
Spaniards were firing at them now, but with no effect so far. The
distance was great and the moonlight made aim uncertain, and every time
a head showed itself over the battlement it became a target for the
fire of the musketeers, who, by Hornigold's orders, ran forward under
the black shadow cast by the high cliff, where they could not be seen,
and from this point of concealment, taking deliberate aim, made havoc
among the defenders.

"Now, good fathers and sisters," began Morgan, "you have doubtless been
curious to know why you were not put to death. I saved you--not because
I loved you, but because I needed you. I had a purpose in view; that
purpose is now apparent."

"What would you with us, senor?" asked Sister Maria Christina, the
abbess, stepping out in front of her sisters.

"A little service, my sister. Bring up the ladders, men. See, there are
seven all told. That will be four ladies apiece to four ladders; and
here are seven priests, which allows two to each of the three remaining
ladders, with one priest and one sister over for good measure, and to
take the place of any that may be struck down."

"And what are we to do with them, senor?" asked Fra Antonio de Las
Casas, drawing nearer to the captain.

"You are to carry them to yonder wall and place them against it."

"You do not mean," burst out Alvarado painfully, for he could scarcely
speak from his wounded cheek, "to make these holy women bear the brunt
of that fire from the fort, and the good priests as well?"

"Do I value the lives of women and priests, accursed Spaniard, more than
our own?" questioned the captain, and the congenial sentiment was
received by a yell of approval from the men. "But if you are
tender-hearted, I'll give the defenders a chance. Will you advise them
to yield and thus spare these women?"

"I can not do that," answered Alvarado sadly. "'Tis their duty to defend
the town. There are twenty women here, there are five hundred there."

"D'ye hear that, mates?" cried Morgan. "Up with the ladders!"

"But what if we refuse?" cried the abbess.

"You shall be given over to the men," answered Morgan, ferociously,
"whereas, if you do as I order, you may go free; those who are left
alive after the storm. Do ye hear, men? We'll let them go after they
have served us," continued the chief turning to his men. "Swear that you
will let them go! There are others in La Guayra."

"We swear, we swear!" shouted on