f
kindness, and keep them from my sight."

_Schillie._--"Nay, rouse yourself, and remember you take all you love
with you."

_June._--"But such a death! and they so young, so beloved, so lovely and
gifted, to die in so horrible a manner."

_Schillie._--"Then think of the fate you would have them live for. But
one hour of mental agony, and they are safe in their Saviour's arms."

_June._--"And, oh, Schillie, one more horrible fear I have. Suppose
those dreadful guns do not fully complete their dreadful work. Think if
some are left, wounded and maimed, yet more wounded in heart at the
death of those they loved."

_Schillie._--"Call them, and give each their choice."

They came, but it was only to group themselves in one close embrace
about us. They replied not to the words we uttered, but looking as
fearlessly as Schillie did down on the brazen mouths of death, they
turned their loving eyes in unutterable affection towards us. The
beaming light of Schillie's countenance seemed reflected on each young
face, until we thought an halo of glory already surrounded them.

The two men tenderly lifted up Madame, and laid her moaning and
unconscious at our feet, and then placed themselves on each side of the
group.

"See," said Schillie, half smiling and waving her hand, "your last fear
is groundless, it will take but one of those cannon to deliver us all at
the same moment from this mortal coil. Let us lift up our hearts to
God."

CHAPTER XLIV.

The minutes fled. Ever and anon a group of pirates would advance, and,
as they gazed, pity, remorse, and even admiration seemed to blend in
their swarthy countenances, as they looked at the motionless helpless
group. Evidently reluctant to give the fatal signal for death, the
pirate captain restlessly paced to and fro, only taking his eyes from us
to look hurriedly on the sea. The hour was gone. The boat shot from the
shore, bearing the fatal messengers of death. The pirate captain
clenched his hands, and hurried up and down, like one in despair.
Sometimes he looked as if he would speak to us, then turned more quickly
away.

Our hearts beat audibly to each other. "May God take us into His safe
keeping this hour," murmured the low earnest voice of our dear captain.
"Amen," was fervently uttered by all that could speak.

Still the pirate captain wavered and hesitated; but what made our
captain start? A body of pirates came forward, and drawing their chief
away, began