ought of becoming a reckless or heartless
man, and would have laughed to scorn any one who should have hinted that
he would ever become an outlaw and a pirate. But oppression bore
heavily on his hasty, ill-disciplined temper, and now the lowest round
of the ladder had been reached.

Even in this extremity he did not utterly give way. He would not become
an out-and-out pirate. He would merely go forth as a plunderer to
revenge himself on the world which had used him so ill. He would rob--
but he would not kill; except of course in self-defence, or when men
refused to give up what he demanded. He would temper retributive
justice with mercy, and would not suffer injury to women or children.
In short, he would become a semi-honourable, high-minded sort of pirate,
pursuing wealth without bloodshed! True, in the sad case of poor
Orlando, he had not managed to steer clear of murder; but then that deed
was done without his orders or knowledge. If his comrades in crime had
agreed, he would have preferred some sort of smuggling career; but they
would not listen to that, so he had at last consented to hoist the black
flag.

While the wretched youth was endeavouring to delude himself and gather
crumbs of comfort from such thoughts as these, the awful cry from the
ship's hold again rang out, and as his thoughts reverted to the bereaved
father, and the fair, light-hearted little mother on Ratinga Island, the
deadly pallor that overspread his countenance was intensified.

Rising hastily--with what intent he himself hardly knew--he proceeded to
the hold. It was broad day at the time, and sufficient light penetrated
the place to reveal the figure of Antonio Zeppa crouching on his
mattress, with his chin upon his knees, his handsome face disfigured
with the blood that had dried upon it, and a wild, fierce light gleaming
in his eyes.

He did not speak or move when Rosco entered and sat down on the head of
a cask near him.

"Zeppa," he said, with intense earnestness, "as God shall be my judge, I
did not mean to--to--throw--to do this to your boy. It was done without
my knowledge."

"Hah!" burst from the stricken father; but nothing more, while he
continued to gaze in the pirate captain's face.

"Indeed it is true," continued Rosco hurriedly. "I had no intention of
letting murder be done. I would not even slay the captain who has used
me so ill. I would give my life if I could alter it now--but I cannot."

"Hah!" gaspe