own power a sum which some would consider an ample
fortune," said Ada; "it is more, probably, than would have been demanded
as my ransom, and yet I will gladly make it over to you, provided you
quit for ever your lawless calling, and place your wife in safety in her
native country."

"Refuse the generous offer," said Nina, rising from her seat, and
placing her hand on his arm. "Do not be tempted to rob the fatherless
orphan. We shall have enough, without depriving her of her property."

"Peace, girl," said the pirate. "I will not now further speak on the
subject. It is folly to speak of the future when the present demands
all our care."

He spoke truly. His attention, while the conversation I have described
was going forward, had been less occupied than was requisite during the
last few minutes, in guiding the raft, and observing the direction in
which she was drifting; when, looking up, he saw on the starboard side,
at no great distance from them, a ledge of black rocks, whose heads were
just flush with the water, which broke over them in a line of hissing
foam, threatening to wreck the raft should it once be driven against
them. The pirate urged his men to exertion, for every instant the raft
drifted nearer and nearer the danger. All hands went to the oars, for
they saw that by their own exertions alone could they hope to escape.

The end of the reef, which it was necessary to clear before they could
be again in comparative safety, was still a considerable way off; and
yet it seemed scarcely possible, at the rate at which the raft could be
urged on, to avoid striking it. Never did Zappa more anxiously wish for
a breeze to carry them clear; for though, to the inexperienced eye, the
danger appeared but slight, he knew that, if the raft, for an instant,
struck the ledge, it would be forced on to it by the current, then the
slightest increase of wind would form waves which would quickly sweep
them all off to destruction. So slight, however, was the surf, that, at
a little distance, it had not been perceived; and even now, as Ada and
Nina watched it, the expression of the countenances and the eager
gestures of the men alone assured them of the risk to which they were
exposed.

Several times Zappa had looked astern, in the hopes of seeing the signs
of a breeze coming up in that direction.

"Ah, our good genius has not deserted us," he exclaimed, at last. "Row
on, my men--row on. The wind will come in time;