s of the buccaneers wandering to and fro, singing drunken choruses,
now and again routing out hidden fugitives from places of fancied
security and torturing them with ready ingenuity whenever they were
taken. The confusion was increased and the noise diversified by the
shrieks and groans of these miserable wretches. Sometimes the voices
that came through the high windows were those of women, and the sound of
their screams made the heart of the brave girl sink like lead in her
breast.

For the rest, she did not understand Hornigold's position. She did not
know whether to believe him or not, but of one thing was she certain.
Whereas she had been defenceless now she had a weapon, and she could use
it if necessary. With that in hand she was mistress at least of her own
fate.

As evening drew on, every thing having been attended to, Morgan began to
tire of his isolation, and time hung heavy on his hands. He was weary of
the women whom he had hitherto consorted with; the other officers,
between whom and himself there was no sort of friendship, were busy with
their own nefarious wickednesses in the different parts of the fort or
town, and he sat a long time alone in the guardroom, drinking, Black
Dog, as usual, pouring at his side. The liquor inflamed his imagination
and he craved companionship. Summoning Hornigold at last, he bade him
bring Donna Mercedes before him. The old man attempted to expostulate,
but Morgan's mood had changed and he brooked no hesitation in obeying
any order given by him. There was nothing for the boatswain to do but to
comply.

Once more Mercedes, therefore, found herself in the guardroom of the
fort in the presence of the man she loathed and feared above all others
in creation. Her situation, however, was vastly different from what it
had been. On the first occasion there had appeared no hope. Now Alvarado
was free and she had a weapon. She glanced at the clock, a recent
importation from Spain hanging upon the wall, as she entered, and saw
that it was half-after nine. Ten was the hour Hornigold had appointed to
meet Alvarado at the gate. She hoped that he would be early rather than
late; and, if she could withstand the buccaneer by persuasion, seeming
compliance, or by force, for a short space, all would be well. For she
never doubted that her lover would come for her. Even if he had to come
single-handed and alone to fight for her, she knew he would be there.
Therefore, with every nerve strained