Felipa was so frightened that she could hardly dress herself; and poor Etta, who knew more about the dreaded sea-robbers than did Felipa, tried to be brave in order not to increase the Spanish girl’s terror. Etta was brave, and in many ways fearless in all ordinary affairs; but the cry ’The pirates are coming!’ was one of the most dreaded in the West Indies--a cry which had often taken the spirit out of the heart of a bold sea-captain, who knew the desperate courage and reckless indifference to life exhibited by the men who infested these seas. When Catalina and the girls were dressed they stepped forth, to find the Marquis and Carlo waiting for them. The former was walking up and down the hall of the house discussing the terrible news with some Spanish officers. ’Your Excellency knows that this fort cannot long resist a fierce assault,’ said one of them. ’Were it not better to evacuate the Platform and concentrate our forces on the lesser island batteries? The fortresses there are strongly built, and with our men we could put them in a better state of resistance.’ ’They will not land to-night,’ said the wretched Marquis, looking the picture of an undecided man. ’If you think, Don Francisco, that flight would be the best plan, give orders to your men. Ah, here are the children. Are the horses ready? We have no time to waste; and yet what say you? Perhaps these wretches will think better of it, and leave Port St. Catherine in peace. Were it not better after all to stay here?’ ’Let us stay, father,’ put in Carlo. ’If you will let me fight, I am sure I shall be able to defend this place. Do not let this handful of rascals believe we fear them.’ ’Give your opinion, Carlo, when you are asked, and not before. Are the horses ready? Now, Felipa, wrap your scarf well round you; we have a long way to go. Yes, I think it is better to go than to stay.’ ’We shall be safe at Santa Teresa, father, are you sure?’ sobbed Felipa; whilst Etta, looking at Carlo’s fearless expression of face, determined to say nothing, for he had once said girls were always afraid. It was a very anxious and silent cavalcade that made its way back towards the small island that night, and contrasted strangely with that which had come hither but quite lately, laughing and chatting to their hearts’ content. Carlo, however, managed to ride near Etta occasionally when the ground was clearer so as to allow their horses to walk abreast. Felipa kept close to her father, as if near him she would be quite safe from the dreaded foes. Every now and then she looked back into the darkness towards the little village at the foot of the Platform; where, however, all was at present still and quiet. ’Is it really true?’ whispered Etta to Carlo, as if she could be heard from this distance; ’have they been seen?’