The supreme moment seemed to have come, and with her heart beating furiously Hester made up her mind to make one more effort to reach the deck, shouting the while for help, and then if no other help came, she told herself that she could seek it in the sea. Her hands clasped those of Bessy for a moment convulsively, and then dropping them, she stood upon her guard as the lock was shot back, the door was flung open, and in an instant Laure caught her in his arms, when, as her lips failed to utter a shriek, there was a heavy fall on deck, the noise of feet hurrying to and fro, a crash, and with an oath Laure rushed across the cabin, and Hester staggered back trembling into Bessy's arms. "What does it mean?" the latter whispered hoarsely. "Help at last," panted Hester, as the noise on deck increased. Shots were fired, there was another heavy full, and the clashing together of steel, followed by the voice of Laure culling to his men to come on. Before they dared to hope for safely, Dutch literally leaped down into the cabin, with a cutlass in his hand, followed by Mr Meldon, both men pale with excitement and stained with blood. "Quick!" cried Dutch, catching his wife by one hand; "the scoundrels may prove too many for us." "Bessy, darling," whispered Mr Meldon, hoarsely; and for a moment he folded her in his arms before leading her hastily on deck after Dutch, who had already hurried Hester below into the main cabin. Bessy followed her on the instant, and the two men rushed forward again to where a desperate fight was going on, which resulted in Laure and his party being driven below, but not until some severe wounds had been given on either side. Then hatches were clapped on, and cables coiled over them, before the party dared to breathe freely and congratulate themselves on their success. "It is more than I dared to hope for," said Dutch, as they stood clustered round a lantern placed upon the deck, "for it was a bitter struggle." "Bitter, indeed," said Mr Parkley, with a sigh. "I little thought our silver was going to be so stained with blood." "It may be all washed off yet," said John Studwick, who was standing by, looking ghastly pale. "What do you mean?" said his father. "That you have not got it home yet," was the reply; "and will not while that scoundrel is on board." "Then he shall not stay on board long," exclaimed the captain, angrily. "There is the land, and a boat shall take him, and all he likes to claim as his followers, as soon as morning dawns." Hester shuddered as she crept close to her husband, and felt as if she could never cease to fear as long as the villain was at large; but his words comforted her, and for the rest of the night long careful watch was kept, and not without need, for several attempts were made by those below to force their way on deck.