THE RED TARTANE. 565 



The superstitious and miserable crew of the Shrine of San Josef, 

 already in the utmost terror, were thrown into a state of consterna- 

 tion scarcely conceivable upon experiencing the concussion^ and 

 several minutes elapsed before even a boy could be compelled to 

 mount on deck, from the thorough belief that possessed their minds 

 of its having been caused by supernatural agency, and through the 

 medium in some way of the accursed Gitano. 



The boy crawling along the deck, soon perceived the bowsprit and 

 cut- water were entirely carried away ; but, as fortunately the bows of 

 a vessel are much stronger than the stern, the damage had happily 

 ended here. Gazing a-head, he discovered the Benediction of our 

 Lady scarce a half-pistol shot distant, the stern already under water, 

 and the forecastle crowded with the crew. The captain of the 

 sinking vessel shouted to him with all his force, holding his hands to 

 his mouth to convey the sound stronger, but as he was unfortunately 

 to leeward, the terrified boy heard not a word, and after regarding 

 them with stupified wonder and fear for three or four minutes, he 

 descended to make his report. 



The captain on being informed of the critical situation of the other 

 lugger, at once divined the cause of the fearful shock they had sus- 

 tained ; and explaining it to the crew, he commanded all hands on 

 deck. After some doubt and hesitation, the crew obeyed ; but when 

 the captain, straining his eyes in every direction, sought the unfor- 

 tunate Benediction of our Lady, she was no longer on the ocean ! 

 * * * * * 



An hour later, the wind blew with less violence, and the night was 

 rather clearer ; the larboard watch was set on board the Shrine of 

 San Josef, and an active seaman was placed at the helm, while they 

 continued to run westward under close reefed fore and mainsails. 

 They had held on steadily in this direction some time, when the 

 looker out forward cried out sharply " Sail on the starboard bow." 

 The watch rushed immediately forwards, and perceived by the light 

 of the lanterns the Tartane that they had chased the previous evening 

 the source of all their disasters seemingly a mere hulk, riding 

 entirely dismasted. 



t( God is just," shouted the captain Massareo ; " holy Virgin protect 

 us ! At last, accursed wretch, I have thee,'and dearly shalt thou pay for 

 the death of our brethren j" and notwithstanding the violence of the 

 wind, he immediately issued the command to heave to, exclaiming to 

 his lieutenant " Jago, Jago, my second self, place the gunners at 

 their pieces." 



" Captain 1 " 



" Why one would think you trembled, Jago." 



" No, captain ; but the levant has made me a little nervous." 



" It is well, Jago ; for I should be sorry to see my first-lieutenan 

 trembling like an aspen leaf in a breeze. Brace up the main-yard ; 

 we will take the wind of the Tartane, and rake her as we pass the 

 accursed dog !" 



The worthy Massareo clenched his fist at the disabled vessel, which 

 continued to ride silently, and without other motion than that caused 

 by the waves. 



M.M. No. 107. 4 D 



