f Julia, eagerly
bending from the little window as she watched the pursuing brig,
fervently praying that its chase might be successful.

As she turned her eyes in-doors at the noise made by the entrance of
the pirate, his keen glance noticed the light of hope which shone in
her beautiful eyes, which she strove not and cared not to conceal.

"My fair captive," said he, with a sneering smile, "do you see hope of
escape in yonder approaching vessel?"

"My hope is in God," was the calm reply of the lovely girl.

"That trust will fail you now, sweet lady."

"I believe it not; when has He deserted those whose trust was in him?"

"So have you been taught, doubtless, so you may yet believe; but you
have still to learn that if there is such a being, he meddles not with
the common purposes of man. It is his government to punish, not
prevent; and man here on earth pursues his own course, be it dark or
bright--and God's hand is not interposed to stay the natural and
inevitable workings of cause and effect. No, no! here, on this, my own
good ship, _I_ rule; and there is no hand, human or divine, that will
interpose between my determination and the execution of my purpose."

"Impious man! you may yet learn to fear the power you now despise."

"Ha! ha! ha!--do I look like a man to be frightened by the words of a
weak girl, or by the name of a mysterious being, whose agency I have
never seen in the workings of earthly affairs."

"I have no mercy to expect from one who has consigned a whole ship's
crew, without remorse, to a cruel death."

"Well, were they not Englishmen? I have not for years, lady, spared an
Englishman in my deep hatred, or an Englishwoman in my lust!"

"Yet are they not your own countrymen?"

"Yes."

"Unnatural monster!"

The pirate smiled. "I could relate a history of wrong that would
justify me even in your eyes. If I have proved a viper to my native
land, it is because her heel has crushed me--but the tale cannot be
told now. If yonder vessel overtake us, and escape become impossible,
my own hand will apply the match that shall blow up my brig, and all
it contains. Before that time you will be a dishonored woman, to whom
death were a relief. Nothing but this wound has preserved you thus
long. With this assurance I leave you."

The pirate returned to the deck, where, notwithstanding the pain of
his injuries, he continued to take command of the brig.

He had hardly vanished from the cabin before Fl