The two now crept silently up a back way, avoiding the entrance-hall,
where, from the sounds that rose toward them, it was not difficult to
guess that the pirates were intent on refreshing themselves with what
good things Santa Teresa could provide, and making up for the privations
of the previous day and night by a carousal.
When Carlo limped up to his sister’s door, he found it strongly
barricaded within, and it was some time before Catalina could be
persuaded to open it and admit him. Then her exclamations knew no end.
’Señorito! where have you been? And who is this young serpent?’ she
added, looking at Harry; but as she spoke in Spanish he did not
understand her, though he noticed her look of disgust.
’Hush! Catalina, where is my sister? and Etta? Have you heard no news?
Everything is lost, and this place is in the hands of the pirates. This
youth was the same one Etta saw. He is a prisoner, he says. If so, he
is a fellow-sufferer; and just now he behaved with much courtesy.’
’Come in, then, and let me bar the door once more. Oh, the noise those
wretches have been making. It is as if all the demons were walking
below. My poor Felipa is well hidden in that cupboard, and I made Etta
go there too. Alas, alas, that I should be alive to hear such things!
But, anyhow, they must kill me before they touch her. My _cara_ Felipa!
I believe she will die of fright.’
Harry Fenn stood by during this conversation, much perplexed at all he
saw; for he did not understand that the Marquis had not acquainted his
son with his treacherous surrender. His surprise was still greater when
in another moment Etta, hearing Carlo’s voice, appeared out of the dark
cupboard where Catalina had insisted Felipa and Etta should hide, when
on the return of the latter she had understood that something
extraordinary was happening.
’Carlo, tell us--but, oh, who is this? The English lad? Are you
Captain Morgan’s son? No--it cannot be; for then you would not be here,
nor would you look so kind.’
’You were right, Etta; this English lad is a prisoner, and has kindly
helped me up here; otherwise I should be still lying under the wall, or
perhaps I might now be killed by those wretches.’
Harry Fenn was delighted at finding himself face to face with a
countrywoman of his own. It seemed almost a miracle to be in a room
again--a room which spoke of civilised and refined life, and which
contained an English girl; for there was no mistaking her nationality,
though she immediately informed him of the fact.
’I knew you were no robber when I saw you come to the castle. I am an
English girl, and a prisoner here.’
’Etta, what foolish talk!’ said Carlo. ’As long as I am here you are no
prisoner.’
’But tell me how you came to be with that dreadful Henry Morgan,’ cried
Etta, much excited.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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