"Ha! ha! ha!--do I look like a man to be frightened by the words of a weak girl, or by the name of a mysterious being, whose agency I have never seen in the workings of earthly affairs." "I have no mercy to expect from one who has consigned a whole ship's crew, without remorse, to a cruel death." "Well, were they not Englishmen? I have not for years, lady, spared an Englishman in my deep hatred, or an Englishwoman in my lust!" "Yet are they not your own countrymen?" "Yes." "Unnatural monster!" The pirate smiled. "I could relate a history of wrong that would justify me even in your eyes. If I have proved a viper to my native land, it is because her heel has crushed me--but the tale cannot be told now. If yonder vessel overtake us, and escape become impossible, my own hand will apply the match that shall blow up my brig, and all it contains. Before that time you will be a dishonored woman, to whom death were a relief. Nothing but this wound has preserved you thus long. With this assurance I leave you." The pirate returned to the deck, where, notwithstanding the pain of his injuries, he continued to take command of the brig. He had hardly vanished from the cabin before Florette stood by the side of Julia. "Lady," said she, "I overheard your conversation with the captain of this brig, and I pity you most truly." "Pity will little avail," replied Julia. "That is true, yet I would aid you if possible." "And you--do not you, too, desire to escape from this savage?" "Alas! lady, I have learned to love him." "_Love_ him!" "I have now been on this brig more than three years. I was taken from a French merchant vessel in which I was proceeding to French Guinea, to live with a relative there, having lost all my immediate kindred in France. While crossing the Bay of Biscay, a heavy storm drove us out to sea, and while endeavoring to return in shore, we fell in with this vessel--all on board were murdered but myself, so I have been told. I was borne to this cabin, which has since been my home. I was treated with much respect by the captain, and being all alone, I don't know why it was, I forgot all his crimes, and at length became his willing mistress. You turn from me in disgust, and in pity--yet so it is. And now, lady, if you are bold enough to risk your life, you may escape." "I would gladly give my life to save my honor." Florette gazed with a melancholy smile upon her companion; perhaps thoughts of her own former purity came over her mind. "It is a bold plan," said she, "but it is on that account that I am more confident of success, as all chance of escape will be deemed hopeless." "What is your plan?"