This was, however, no time for thought--activity and energy of action were now demanded; every officer and man was employed; the captain urging them to their work; for till the standing rigging could be secured, their masts, which had fortunately escaped injury, might any moment have gone overboard. A few only of the shrouds were found to have been cut away, which being put to rights in the best way they could effect, and a fresh running rigging rove, a reef was shaken out of each of the three topsails, and the ship brought to the wind, with her head towards the shore. Boldly did she buffet the billows, like a gallant hunter straining every nerve to clear the heavy ground of a fresh ploughed field. During the greater part of the time, Don Luis remained on the poop, giving such assistance as he was able; but, on an occasion like the present, a landsman can be but of little use, and on the first moment of cessation from toil, the Captain joined him, exclaiming, "Ah, my young friend, Heaven be praised that you have escaped uninjured; for, had you suffered in the engagement, I should have blamed myself for treating you with sad want of hospitality on the ocean. But you have now added to the wonders of your travels a sea adventure worth talking about; and do not forget to mention a brave youth who saved his captain's life; at all events, Joze Pinto will not be ungrateful, if he ever has the opportunity of showing his gratitude." "It is I who have to thank you for preserving my life, and the lives of all on board, by your bravery and conduct, Captain Pinto," returned Don Luis, "and proud I am to have fought by your side." "Talk not of it, my friend; for this is no time to stand bandying compliments," answered the Captain. "Ah, Senhor Nunez," he added, turning to the pilot, who was just then passing them. "Were you at last convinced that we had mortal foes to contend with?" "I know not, senhor," answered the old man; "they fought like devils, at all events, and till I see some of them make the sign of the cross, I shall still believe them evil spirits." "They are all long ere this in the world of spirits," said Captain Pinto; "for none, I think, can have escaped among all the wild crew." While he was speaking, a party of seamen were seen ascending the poop, dragging up between them a man, who by the dim light of a lantern held before him, appeared to be severely wounded in the shoulder. His dress consisted of the Moorish jacket and trousers; his head was bound by a white turban, now torn, disordered, and wet with blood; his features were swarthy and haggard, and his figure tall and well knit. He looked round with a wild confused stare, as if scarce recovered from the effects of some stunning blow, evidently endeavouring to collect his scattered thoughts, in order to speak. "Whom have you brought hither?" asked the Captain of the seamen; "I thought not a pirate had escaped."