uch was not the
practise of the old buccaneers, nor shall it be ours; whereas, no
matter what the haste, yon varlet could in nowise refrain from that
same folly which hath lost him his ship to us. Each hour will only
widen the gap between us. Let him take our tub if he likes, and do as
he likes, for 'twill be a long day before he picks up our masts over
his horizon, Jean Lafitte."

"Aye, aye, Sir!" rejoined my lieutenant, and withdrew. I could see he
was not overjoyed at the abandonment of our earlier ship that had
brought us so far in safety. All this luxury of the _Belle Helene_ had
the effect of oppressing a pirate who so short a time ago had started
out on the high seas in a sixteen foot yawl, and who had seen that
yawl, in a manner of speaking, grown into a schooner, the schooner
comparatively grown into a full-fledged four-decker, richly fitted as
any ship of the royal navy.

But these, all, were lesser things to me, for on my soul was a more
insistent concern. I turned now, seeing that Peterson, wholly
reconciled to the new order of affairs, was speeding the boat onward
as though I never had left her; so that I knew she was safe in his
hands, although I set Lafitte to watch him. Followed by my faithful
friend Partial, who expressed every evidence of having enjoyed a most
interesting evening, I presently made my way aft.

As I approached the door of the after-cabin suite, occupied by the
ladies, I made my presence known at first discreetly, then more
pointedly, and, at length, by a knocking on the door.

"Below, there!" I called, boldly as I could; for eager as I was to
see Helena Emory, there were certain things about the interview which
might be difficult. Lovers who have parted, finally, approach each
other, even by accident, thereafter, with a certain reluctance.
(Lovers, did I say? Nay, never had she said she loved me. She had only
said she wished she did, wished she could.)

No answer came at first. Then, "Who is it?" in the voice of Aunt
Lucinda.

"It is I, Mr. Henry--" but I paused: "--It is I, Black Bart the
Avenger," I concluded. "May I come in?"

Silently the door opened, and I entered the little reception-room
which lay between the two staterooms of this cabin. Before me stood
Helena! And now I was close to her, I could see the little curls at
her temples, could see the double curves of her lips, the color in her
cheek. Ah! she was the same, the same! I loved her--I loved her not
the same, bu