d, resolved, no doubt,
to meet his fate like a man.

"Oh, God, spare him!" burst in a voice of agony from Robin, who sprang
up as if with the intention of rushing to the rescue, regardless of
consequences, but a second time Sam Shipton's restraining hand was
ready.

"What could we do, with the sea between us and the ship? Even if we
were on the deck could we four deliver him from a hundred?"

Robin sank down again with a groan, but his fascinated eyes still gazed
at the pirate vessel. To his great surprise, the sailor at that moment
uttered a long and ringing cheer! The act seemed to overawe even the
bloodstained pirates, for they hesitated an instant. Then one of them
pointed his sword at the sailor's back, but at the same moment the
leader of the band was seen to strike up the sword and give some hurried
directions. A rope was instantly brought, with which the arms and legs
of the seaman were secured, and he was carried below.

"Our prayer has been answered!" exclaimed Robin with renewed excitement;
"they _are_ going to spare him."

Sam shook his head. "I fear not, Robin; at least, if I may judge from
what I have read of these villains, they have only spared him for a time
for the purpose of torturing him."

Robin shuddered. "Well, I don't know," he said, "whatever they may do,
God _has_ answered our prayer, for they _have_ spared him; and if God
could deliver him thus at the last moment, surely He can deliver him
altogether. But was it not remarkable that he should give such a cheer
when--as he must have thought--at the point of death, for it sounded
more like a cheer of triumph than defiance?"

"It was strange indeed. The effect of strong excitement, I fancy."

While they were conversing, the pirates were busily engaged in getting
up the anchor and hoisting the sails of their craft. At the same time
the long oars or sweeps were manned by such of the slaves as remained
alive, and the vessel slowly glided out of the creek, and put to sea.
Fortunately the fight had engrossed the attention of those on board so
much that they had failed to observe the little raft, which, although
partially concealed by bushes, might not otherwise have escaped
detection.

Our voyagers were still congratulating themselves on their good fortune
in this respect, when the pirate-ship was observed to change her course,
turn completely round and return towards the land!

"They've seen us!" ejaculated Robin in consternation