in--he went below, surrounded by
the Kroumen, who appeared to have devoted themselves to his protection.
Once during the night Hawkhurst summoned them on deck, but they obeyed
not the order; and to the expostulation of the boatswain's mate, who
came down, they made no reply. But there were many of the pirates in
the schooner who appeared to coincide with the Kroumen in their regard
for Francisco. There are shades of villainy in the most profligate of
societies; and among the pirate's crew some were not yet wholly debased.
The foul murder of a holy man--the cruel fate of the beautiful Teresa--
and the barbarous conduct of the captain towards Filippo and his
mistress, were deeds of an atrocity to which even the most hardened were
unaccustomed. Francisco's pleadings in behalf of mercy were at least no
crime; and yet they considered that Francisco was doomed. He was a
general favourite; the worst-disposed of the pirates, with the exception
of Hawkhurst, if they did not love him, could not forbear respecting
him; although at the same time they felt that if Francisco remained on
board the power even of Cain himself would soon be destroyed. For many
months Hawkhurst, who detested the youth, had been most earnest that he
should be sent out of the schooner. Now he pressed the captain for his
removal in any way, as necessary for their mutual safety, pointing out
to Cain the conduct of the Kroumen, and his fears that a large
proportion of the ship's company were equally disaffected. Cain felt
the truth of Hawkhurst's representation, and he went down to his cabin
to consider upon what should be done.

It was past midnight, when Cain, worn out with the conflicting passions
of the day, fell into an uneasy slumber. His dreams were of Francisco's
mother--she appeared to him pleading for her son, and Cain "babbled in
his sleep." At this time Francisco, with Pompey, had softly crawled
aft, that they might obtain, if they found the captain asleep, the
pistols of Francisco, with some ammunition. Pompey slipped in first,
and started back when he heard the captain's voice. They remained at
the cabin-door listening. "No, no," murmured Cain, "he must die--
useless--plead not, woman!--I know I murdered thee--plead not, he dies!"

In one of the sockets of the silver lamp there was a lighted wick, the
rays of which were sufficient to afford a dim view of the cabin.
Francisco, overhearing the words of Cain, stepped in, and walked up to