a book with the name of Bowse in it, which he concluded to be
that of the master."

"The same," groaned poor Fleetwood. "It was the _Zodiac_. She is
lost--lost to me for ever. Oh, Ada, Ada!"

And again he groaned, as if death could alone relieve his heart from his
load of misery.

"Hoot, mon, hoot! ne'er say die while there's life!" exclaimed the bluff
old governor. "Ye have no positive proof that any one ye care for is
dead or lost to ye. I tell ye, the mate of the _Mary Jane_ found no one
dead on board the vessel; and, as she had no boats remaining, it is just
a plausible supposition that the survivors of the crew and the
passengers may have escaped from the ship they thought was sinking in
one of them; and we may hear of your friends turning up somewhere or
other; for I do not pretend to deny that, when I first received notice
of the outrage, I felt convinced that my friend, Colonel Gauntlett and
his bonnie niece were among the sufferers."

"Too true, they were, sir," replied Fleetwood, by a great effort,
endeavouring to collect his thoughts for active service.

"It was that supposition, and not ignorant also of your attachment to
the young leddie, which made me resolve to apply, instanter, that the
_Ione_ might be sent in the first place to search for the crew and
passengers of the late brig the _Zodiac_; for I ought to say, she sank
while the _Mary Jane_ was yet close to her; and then, it will be
gratifying and soothing to your feelings, under the circumstances, to
chastise the miscreants who have perpetrated this atrocity--and I do not
suppose, Captain Fleetwood, that ye will be disposed to spare them more
than I should."

And the grim old soldier gave a look which indicated no inclination to
be lenient.

"We will hang every mother's son of them; and teach other villains that
these seas can no longer be made the field for the exercise of their
marauding disposition. Ye understand, Captain Fleetwood--ye may take
them alive if ye can; but ye may sink, burn, and destroy them all,
sooner than let one escape."

"I comprehend, sir, clearly," answered Fleetwood. "When can I sail?"

"I am expecting your orders every instant," replied the governor. "It
is a considerate change of destination, to be sure; but I knew the duty
would be gratifying to you; and, fortunately, your brig is the only
vessel on the station fit to be sent on it, while the despatches can go
home by the _Racehorse_ as well. Sit quiet