But John danced off, leaving the sailor to wonder at the sudden metamorphosis in the feelings of the cockney. "Well, that's a queer son of a lubber; I wonder what he's after now." John, in the meantime, approached Julia, and in a very mysterious manner desired a few moments private conversation with her. "Why, John, what can you want?" She had been no woman, if, however, her curiosity to learn the motive of so strange a request from her servant had not induced her to listen to him. "Miss Julia," commenced John, "I've discovered a way in which we can all be saved alive by these bloody pirates, after they catch us; by all, I mean you and your father, and I, and the captain, if he's a mind to." "Well, what is it, John?" "I'll tell you, Miss Julia. Dick Halyard says they only kill the men--they makes all them walk the plank, which is--" "I know what it is," said Julia, with a slight shudder. "Well, they saves all the women, out o' respect for the weaker sex. Now, Miss Julia." "Why, John!" "But I know it's so, 'cause Dick Halyard told me all about it; now you see if you'll only let me take one of your dresses--I wont hurt it none; and then your father can take another, and we'll get clear of the bloody villains--wont it be great?" Julia could not repress a laugh even in the midst of the melancholy thoughts which involuntarily arose in her mind during the elucidation of John's plan of escape; she could not, however, explain the difficulties in the way of its successful issue to the self-satisfied expounder, and finding no other more convenient way of closing the conversation, she told him he should have a woman's dress, with all the necessary accompaniments. John was delighted. "You'll tell your father, Miss Julia, wont you? O, Lud! we'll cheat the bloody fellows yet; I'll go and curl my hair." Julia returned to her father's side, and silently watched the strange sail, which was evidently drawing nearer, as her dark hull had shown itself above the waters. "We have but one chance of escape left," exclaimed Captain Horton; "if we can elude them during the night, all will be well; if to-morrow's sun find us in sight, we shall inevitably fall into their hands."