red much at their hands in time past.

While the rescued captives were going about excitedly telling of the
shocking barbarities that had been practised on them, the captain
discovered among them a Singapore native who could speak a little
English. Taking this man aft, he questioned him closely.

"Are there any more pirate-junks hereabouts?" he said.

"Yis; tree more."

"Whereaway?"

"Hout seaward. Not know how far. Longish way off, me tink. We was
sent off from dem last night, after all de goods an' money was tooked
out of us. What for, no kin tell. Where tothers go, no kin tell."

"They've got lots of captives aboard, I suppose?" said the captain.

"Ho! Great lots," replied the Singapore man.

"And lots of treasure too, no doubt."

"Ho! Very greater lots of dat."

After obtaining all the information he could from this man and from the
other passengers, the captain steamed out to sea in a westerly
direction, keeping a man at the mast-head to look out. The captives
were in the meanwhile made as comfortable as circumstances would admit
of, and the ten pirates were put in irons in the hold.

As the morning advanced, the sun increased in power and splendour. Not
a breath of wind ruffled the sea, which shone like a mirror, reflecting
perfectly the sea-birds that accompanied them. Everything was so calm
and peaceful that the captain sent a message to Mr Hazlit and his
daughter to request them to come up and enjoy the fresh air.

During the brief action described, they had been sent below to be out of
danger. They obeyed the summons, and even Miss Pritty was induced by
Aileen to come on deck.

Poor Miss Pritty! Her hysterical fit was now quite over, but pale
cheeks and a trembling exhausted frame told eloquently of her recent
sufferings. Mr Hazlit's limbs were also shaky, and his face
cadaverous, showing that his temporary aberration of reason had told
upon him.

"Oh _how_ delicious!" exclaimed Miss Pritty, referring to the
atmosphere, as she sank into an easy-chair which the captain placed for
her. "Are these the pirates?" she added, shuddering, as her eyes fell
on some of the rescued people.

"No, Miss Pritty," answered the captain, "these are the freed captives.
The pirates are in irons in the hold."

"You had to fight, I suppose?" continued Miss Pritty, shutting her eyes
and pursing her mouth with the air of one who braces herself to face the
inevitable.

"Well, we could hardly call it