One morning, as Francisco was proceeding down to the smelting-house to open the hatches of the small decked boats which had arrived from Jambrano with ore, and which were invariably secured with a padlock by the superintendent above, to which Don Cumanos had a corresponding key, one of the chief men informed him that a vessel had anchored off the mouth of the river the day before, and weighed again early that morning, and that she was now standing off and on. 'From Carthagena, probably, beating up,' replied Francisco. 'Valga me Dios, if I know that, sir,' said Diego. 'I should have thought nothing about it; but Giacomo and Pedro, who went out to fish last night, as usual, instead of coming back before midnight, have not been heard of since.' 'Indeed! that is strange. Did they ever stay so long before?' 'Never, sir; and they have fished together now for seven years.' Francisco gave the key to the man, who opened the locks of the hatches, and returned it. 'There she is!' cried the man; the head-sails making their appearance as the vessel opened to their view from the projecting point distant about four miles. Francisco directed his eye towards her, and, without further remark, hastened to the house. 'Well, Francisco,' said Don Cumanos, who was stirring a small cup of chocolate, 'what's the news this morning?' 'The _Nostra Senora del Carmen_ and the _Aguilla_ have arrived, and I have just unlocked the hatches. There is a vessel off the point which requires examination, and I have come for the telescope.' 'Requires examination! Why, Francisco?' 'Because Giacomo and Pedro, who went fishing last night, have not returned, and there are no tidings of them.' 'That is strange! But how is this connected with the vessel?' 'That I will explain as soon as I have had an examination of her,' replied Francisco, who had taken up the telescope, and was drawing out the tube. Francisco fixed the glass against the sill of the window, and examined the vessel some time in silence. 'Yes! by the living God, it is the _Avenger_, and no other!' exclaimed he, as he removed the telescope from his eye. 'Eh?' cried Don Cumanos. 'It is the pirate vessel--the _Avenger_--I'll forfeit my life upon it! Don Cumanos, you must be prepared. I know that they have long talked of a visit to this quarter, and anticipate great booty, and they have those on board who know the coast well. The disappearance of your two men convinces me that they sent up their boats last night to reconnoitre, and have captured them. Torture will extract the information which the pirates require, and I have little doubt but that the attack will be made when they learn how much bullion there is at present on your premises.' [Illustration: _Francisco fixed the glass against the sill of the window, and examined the vessel some time in silence._] 'You may be right,' replied Don Cumanos thoughtfully; 'that is, provided you are sure that it is the pirate vessel.'