"To which I answered, 'In extreme cases we cannot stop to reason; receive us into your ship with good will and divide with us your provisions, which we come in quest of, and which we need: let us eat together in friendship, or we shall be obliged to have recourse to our arms, and to use force.' I answered in this manner because I did not believe that they spoke the truth about the quantity of provisions they had on board, but they, seeing themselves superior in numbers, and having the advantage in position, neither feared our threats nor listened to our entreaties, but flew to arms, and prepared to defend themselves. My men, who were rendered more courageous than common by desperation, attacked the ship, and succeeded in getting on board, and making themselves masters of her without any one even receiving a wound. A voice from amongst our company proposed that all the men should be put to death to lessen the number of mouths requiring food. I, however, could not agree to this, and, perhaps in order to help my wish of preserving their lives, Heaven came to our assistance, as I shall tell you by and bye; for first I must inform you, that I found this vessel to be the very pirate ship that had robbed me of my sister, and the fishermen of their young brides. Hardly had I made the discovery than I cried out, 'Ha, robbers? where have ye hidden those who are dear as our own souls? where are our beloved ones, whom ye have stolen from us? What have ye done with my sister Auristella? and where are Silviana and Leoncia, the young wives of my good friends, Carino and Solercio?' "One of the pirates answered me, 'Those women whom you speak of that belonged to the fishermen, were sold by our captain, who is now dead, to Arnoldo, the prince of Denmark.'" "That was true," said Arnoldo, "for I did buy Auristella, and her nurse Clelia, and two other very beautiful girls, from some pirates, who sold them to me at a price far below their value." "Good Heavens," exclaimed Rutilio, "and by what circumlocutions, and through what curious links have you carried your wandering history, O Periander!" "Out of kindness to yourself," added Sinforosa, "we would fain have you shorten your tale, which is as interesting as it is true." "I will do so," said Periander, "if it is possible that great events can be narrated in a few words." [Illustration] CHAPTER XVIII. _The treacherous conduct of Polycarp in consequence of Zenotia's advice. He loses his Kingdom, and she her Life. His Guests quit the Island, and land on the Isle of Hermits._