We must draw the veil over the horrible torments which noble Andreas endured. It was a cruel age, but the desperate men who had broken loose from their country, their religion, and their laws outdid all the cruelties of the age, and fancied because the poor defenceless Indians could not now revenge themselves they were fair game. When nature could bear no more, and the half-dead man was thrown into a dungeon, not a word having been extracted from him, Sieur Simon was rather sorry he had ordered the torturers to go on to such a length, for now it was doubtful if he could ever get any information from him, and he had been told that Andreas knew many valuable secrets which would now most likely die with him. That night the pirates had a long carousal, because they knew that next day Captain Morgan was expected back, and when he came the good things generally disappeared; so Sieur Simon suddenly bethought himself that most likely there must be treasure hidden away somewhere or other in Santa Teresa. He dared not touch Doña Elena or Felipa--they were able to pay rich ransoms; but his mind turned at once to Etta, the English girl, who was, of course, merely a slave of the Marquis. Yes, she might know, and if--well, if--anything happened to her, no one would care much, and certainly no one would inquire, except Captain Morgan, who had said the English girl was to be cared for; but he would not grieve much about any one who could not bring him in any money. ’Go up, Nat Salt,’ he said to an Englishman ’and fetch down that English wench. I would wager a goblet of wine that she knows where the old Marquis kept his treasures.’ ’By’r laykin,’ said Nat Salt, ’that little cinder witch was rather a favourite with the Captain. It’ll not be safe to meddle with her over-much.’ ’Nay, I will but make her feel the rope trick round her wrist, and I’ll pledge you a flagon of red wine we shall then know all she does.’ ’There’ll be naught more, then, Sieur Simon, or I would rather not meddle in it; the Captain now and then loses his temper over a mighty small affair.’ ’My word as a brother,’ said Simon, using the term by which pirates called each other when they were in a good temper. Nat knew that even Simon would not break his oath, but he said the morning would be more convenient for Etta’s examination; so that the poor girl fell asleep without dreaming what was in store for her the next day. Once again Etta was to go down into the great hall, where now only Sieur Simon was sitting, and she was to be tried in a far harder way even than by hunger. When the man called Nat Salt came to fetch her, Felipa seemed to guess that something was the matter, for she clung to her friend, crying out: ’Don’t take Etta away. Catalina, Aunt Elena, don’t let the wicked man take her. Why is she to go?’