ent along.

The boat was a very rough specimen of naval architecture, and wore they
to have depended on her speed, the chance of escape would have been
small indeed. She was built to pull six oars, with a high bow and
stern, and though well suited to serve as a fishing-boat, or to live in
the short seas of the Archipelago, was not intended to be used when
rapid progress was important. The adventurers had, indeed, selected
her, not on account of the qualities she possessed adapted for their
purpose, but because she happened to be moored close into the shore,
near the east side of the bay, and, what was very important, had her
oars left on board her. Pietro, who was a good swimmer, had, it
appeared, gone off with his knife in his mouth, and cutting her cable,
towed her close enough in for the other two to step into her. They had
then brought her round, with the same cautious silence, to where
Fleetwood had found her.

The hearts of all beat quick with hope, not unmixed, however, with
apprehension, as the boat glided along the shore close to the cliffs.

Fleetwood's glance was roving watchfully round, to notice the first sign
of their being discovered, and of any preparations made for their
pursuit. The figure of the unhappy Paolo Montifalcone was the only one
discernible, as he stood at the end of the rock, to catch a last glimpse
of the faint outline of her on whom he had so devotedly set the
affection of his ardent nature, without a prospect of return, and his
figure soon faded away in the obscurity.

From the shore, the adventurers had now, they thought, less cause to
fear; but they looked with suspicious eyes towards the brig, and the two
misticos, on the decks of which, at least, one person ought to have been
on the watch; but neither of them gave any signs of having life on
board.

"If we had suspected the sort of watch there rascals keep, we should
have had little difficulty in taking them by surprise," thought
Fleetwood. "We may profit by our knowledge on another occasion, but I
am afraid they will not _forget_ the lesson I hope we shall give them,
to be more vigilant in future."

Of course, it is difficult to describe the sensations which alternately
filled Ada's bosom, as the boat progressed round the harbour; hope, joy,
gratitude, love, and fear, all were there; and those who would
understand what they were, must either have been placed in a similar
position, or must endeavour to fancy themselves s