dark form of Malines, who, in
rough garments and long fishermen's boots, with pistols in belt, and
cutlass by his side, was a particularly good representative of a
robber-captain. Following him came the still more gigantic Joe Binney,
and his equally huge brother David, after which trooped in the boat's
crew one by one.

As each man entered he stood stock still--dumb, petrified with
astonishment--as he gazed, saucer-eyed, at Pauline. Bereft of speech
and motion, she returned the gaze with interest.

Oh! it was a rare treat to Otto! His little bosom heaved with delight
as he watched the shipwrecked men enter one after another and become
petrefactions! Some of the sailors even dropped their lower jaws with
wonder.

Dominick, who, in the bustle of action, had not thought of the surprise
in store for his visitors, burst into a hearty fit of laughter.

"It was well got up, Otto," he said at last.

"No, it wasn't, Dom. I do assure you it was not got up at all, but came
about in the most natural manner."

"Well, got up or not," returned Dominick, "here you are, friends, in
what we have styled our golden cave, and this is my sister Pauline--
allow me to introduce you, Pina, to part of a shipwrecked crew."

The youth's laughter, and the introduction which followed, seemed to
disenchant the mariners, who, recovering self-possession with a deep
sigh, became sheepish in bearing, and seemed inclined to beat a retreat,
but our heroine quickly put them at their ease. With a natural tact and
grace of manner which had the appearance of, but was not meant for,
dignity, she advanced and offered her little hand to Malines, who seemed
to fear that he might crush it unintentionally, so slight was the shake
he gave it.

"You are heartily welcome to our cavern," she said. "I'm _so_ grieved
to hear that you have been wrecked."

"Don't mention it, Miss. Not worth speaking of, I assure you; we're
quite used to it," replied Malines, not knowing very well what he said.

The ice, however, was broken. From this point all went on, as Otto
said, swimmingly. The mate began to relate the circumstances of the
recent wreck, while Pauline and Otto spread the remains of their supper
before the men, and set about roasting the fowls that had been intended
for the morrow's breakfast.

Before long the gale began to abate, and the sailors went out with
Dominick, to select a spot on which the emigrants might encamp, being
aided in this work