ad left the schooner, not having seen him since they
sailed from Sandy Cove; but he knew nothing of the manner in which he
had been put ashore.

"It won't do, Gascoyne," gasped poor Corrie, on being permitted again to
use his windpipe. "You may kill me, but you'll never cow me. I don't
believe you, you cowardly monster."

"I'll have to convince you then," said Gascoyne, suddenly catching the
boy in his arms, and bearing him swiftly away from the spot.

Corrie struggled like a hero, as he was. He tried to shout, but
Gascoyne's right hand again squeezed the windpipe; he attempted to bite,
but the same hand easily kept the refractory head in order; he
endeavored to kick and hit, but Gascoyne's left hand encircled him in
such a comprehensive embrace, and pressed him so powerfully to his
piratical bosom, that he could only wriggle. This he did without
ceasing, until Gascoyne suddenly planted him on his feet, panting and
disheveled, before the astonished faces of Frederick Mason and Ole
Thorwald.

It is not necessary to describe in detail the surprise of all then and
there assembled, the hurried conversation, and the cry of joy with which
the missionary received the information that Alice was safe and within
five minutes' walk of the spot on which he stood. Suffice it to say that
Corrie was now convinced of the good faith of Gascoyne, whom he at once
led, along with Mr. Mason, to the tent where Alice and her friends
slept, leaving Thorwald and his men where they were to await further
orders.

The cry of wild delight with which Alice sprang into her father's arms
might have been destructive of all Gascoyne's plans had not the wind
carried it away from the side of the island where the pirate schooner
lay. There was now no time to be lost. After the first embrace, and a
few hurried words of blessing and thanksgiving, the missionary was
summoned to a consultation.

"I will join you in this enterprise, Mr. Gascoyne," said Montague. "I
believe what you say to be true; besides, the urgency of our present
danger leaves me no room for choice. I am in your power. I believe that
in your present penitent condition you are willing to enable us to
escape from your former associates; but I tell you frankly that, if
ever I have an opportunity to do so, I will consider it my duty to
deliver you over to justice."

"Time is too precious to trifle thus," said Gascoyne, hurriedly. "I have
already said that I will deliver myself up--not,