he other two, under an instinct of
self-preservation, had already fled in the same direction, followed by a
shrill and half-fiendish laugh from the old woman.

"Well, I never had such a narrow escape," said Sam, as he issued from
the cave, still holding Meerta firmly, though not roughly, by the wrist.

"Why, there's enough powder there, I do believe," said Jim Slagg, "to
split the whole island in two."

"There, it's all safe now," said Sam, as he locked the heavy door and
thrust the key in his pocket; "and I will take care of your treasures
for you in future, old lady."

"Wass you frighted?" asked the old woman with a low laugh, in which even
Letta joined.

"Frighted, you reckless old thing," replied Sam, seizing a tankard of
water and draining it, "of course I was; if a spark had gone down into
that cask, you would have been considerably frighted too."

"I'm not so sure of that," said Stumps; "she wouldn't have had time to
get a fright."

"O no!" said Meerta; "I's niver frighted. Many time me stan' by dat
keg, t'inkin', t'inkin', t'inkin' if me stuff de light in it, and blow
de pyrits vid all dere tings to 'warsl smash; but no--me tinks dat some
of dem wasn't all so bad as each oder."

This thought seemed to have the effect of quieting the roused spirit of
the poor old woman, for thereafter a softened expression overspread her
wrinkled face as she went silently about clearing away the debris of the
recent feast.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

THE PIRATE'S ISLAND--CONTINUED.

Next morning Sam Shipton awoke from a sound and dreamless slumber.
Raising himself on the soft ottoman, or Eastern couch, on which he had
spent the night, he looked round in a state of sleepy wonder, unable at
first to remember where he was. Gradually he recalled the circumstances
and events of the preceding day.

The forms of his companions lay on couches similar to his own in
attitudes of repose, and the seaman still slept profoundly in the
position in which he had been laid down when brought in.

Through the mouth of the cavern Sam could see the little garden, glowing
like an emerald in the beams of the rising sun, and amongst the bushes
he observed the old couple stooping quietly over their labour of
gathering weeds. The warm air, the bright sunshine, and the soft cries
of distant sea-birds, induced Sam to slip into such of his garments as
he had put off, and go out quietly without rousing his companions.

In a few minutes he stoo