Chapter 43

made them forget Mrs. Hargrave, who sat down and howled like a hungry cat, not, however, before she had discovered to them every secret corner, by running madly to look for you. I suppose, for her sake, we must allow, poor woman, she is a little touched in the brain, for I found her, after everything was quiet, and the pirates had gone down to look for you, looking over some musty old caps and bonnets, and fitting up for herself a bundle of clothes. I suggested a little food and water would be more useful, but she stopped my mouth by saying it was her duty to appear decent and tidy for her mistress's sake. And such trouble I had with her besides. I am persuaded that woman would never be guided by mortal tongue. Many times I thought to leave her to her fate and to go and see after you, but she was so unfit to be left, I had not the heart to do so. Nevertheless, after getting her out of the caverns up on the top, in a well-concealed place, where we could see nicely all round, she escaped me, for what reason neither she or any one else could tell I think, and I lay quiet until night, when, venturing down to see if I could join you all, after a while I heard a noise just nigh me, and, hiding behind a tree, I looked out, and presently spied a great big fellow, standing six feet two, before me. I knew Smart in a moment, dark as it was, but, having a mind to startle him, I took hold of his leg. Laws me, Sirs, you should have seen how he jumped. I am sure the good old lady could not have been more alarmed. The rest you know."

_Felix._--"Poor Smart, I dare say you took hold of that very leg that's now wounded. Do you know, Smart, Otty and I had our right and left shots."

_Smart._--"Had you so, Sir. Well, I hopes you both killed your birds."

_Felix._--"No, for unluckily we both shot at the same fellow, but we knocked him over clean. We frightened them in an awful way, but cousin Schillie would not shoot."

_Smart._--"How cumed that about I wonder. I reckoned her a prime one."

_Felix._--"She was frightened, Smart."

_Smart._--"Oh no, Sir, I'll never believe that."

_Felix._--"Oh, but she was. I saw her shut her eyes when we all had to shoot together, and she did not open them for a good minute after."

_Schillie._--"Good lack, captain, what is going to happen now?"

Boats were approaching La Luna. The pirates boarded her, and, after half an hour's work, her anchors were taken up, and she was towed to the other side of the bay, and there made secure.

Night set not in more darkly than the gloom that fell upon our hearts. We could but leave our fates in the hand of a good and merciful Providence.