the ranks of the pirates, whom Mr.
Clive ordered to be disarmed and handed over to their Morattoe
countrymen, we came into the inner court of the place, where we found
Angria himself, surrounded by his chief men. He was a tall, handsome
Indian, with a fierce, threatening countenance, surmounted by a
crimson turban, which blazed with rich gems. His whole treasure lay
beside him, and amounted, when it came to be reckoned up, to L120,000,
which was divided among the fleet and army, I getting L6 for my own
share. It was considered a paltry booty by the men, and some hinted
that the officers had taken more than their portion. There was also a
dispute between the two services as to the amount of Mr. Clive's
share, which the army insisted should be equal to a rear-admiral's,
while the navy would not allow it to be more than a post-captain's. In
order to settle the matter Admiral Watson very handsomely offered to
make up the difference out of his own share, which the Colonel with
equal handsomeness declined; and so the affair passed off.

But the greatest prize we gained in that action, to my thinking, was
the woman whom I found crouched in terror upon the floor of a dark,
stifling hut, built against one of the walls of the castle, and
expecting every moment to find herself in the clutches of some savage
enemy. For Rupert had cruelly forborne to tell her that the fortress
was besieged by an English fleet, and when I entered the place where
she was confined, she no doubt believed me to be some marauder of the
same stamp as those among whom she had been kept a prisoner.

I stepped up beside her with a bursting heart, and laid a hand upon
her shoulder.

"Marian," I said, "I am Athelstane Ford, who has come to set you
free."

She trembled all over as she gave a quick look up at me, and then rose
tottering on to her feet. And when I saw her face, how it was all
shrunken from its former roundness, and the colour had gone from her
cheeks, and the brightness from her eyes, as she stood there before
me, with her dress all dishevelled, and her beautiful long hair ragged
and wild, the tears started to my eyes, and I swore a deep oath that
if my cousin Rupert ever met me face to face again he should not
depart alive.

"Athelstane," she said presently, when we had stood gazing at each
other like that for above a minute, "that detestable villain who is
your kinsman has cruelly used me and betrayed me; but I believe you
are a true man