THE RED TARTANE. 



thick, and the Rover, finding himself to windward of the vessel from 

 whence the cannonade proceeded, was enabled to approach within 

 pistol-shot without being seen, as the firing was wholly directed to 

 leeward. 



The Gitano had previously ordered all the lights to be extin- 

 guished, and now hove to, close to the guarda costa, for such the vessel 

 proved to be, which was now firing upon the disabled Tartane ; part 

 of the crew were busy at the guns, the remainder were grouped upon 

 the nettings. The shrill voice of Jago, and the orders of the worthy 

 Massareo, could be distinctly heard. 



" By heaven, it is the wreck of the Tartane that the dogs are 

 sinking would that it had other defenders than a poor bullock !" 

 said Fasillo in a low voice, pointing out to the Gitano the remains of 

 their poor bark, which was lighted up by each successive shot, and 

 was evidently settling downwards. " Fire upon them, commandant 

 fire." 



" Silence, caro mio" replied the Rover as he led Fasillo-back into 

 the cabin, where Bentek was also commanded to join them. The 

 result of their deliberations is known ; the Gitano made the different 

 arrangements requisite to produce the fiery apparition already de- 

 scribed, in which a considerable quantity of fire-works used for sig- 

 nals, and no small portion of gunpowder, were consumed. 



After quitting the immediate vicinity of the lugger by means of 

 very long sweeps carefully muffled, that the mysterious manner of 

 their departure might appear an additional prodigy in the eyes of 

 the fanatic Spaniards, the Gitano and Fasillo again descended to the 

 luxuriant little cabin of the Tartane. 



' ' Well, Fasillo," demanded the former, " what thinkest thou of my 

 vengeance ?" 



" Your vengeance ! commandant your vengeance I How, then, 

 would you treat your friends ? Indeed you know not what I suf- 

 fered to behold the poor Tartane sinking under the fire of those 

 wretched cowards/' 



" Thou art a child, caro mio. Had I destroyed their miserable 

 lugger, who would have known it ? It would have been considered as 

 lost in the gale, and to-morrow two others might again be in pursuit 

 of us; as it is, neither lugger, brig, nor frigate will dare to follow me, 

 such is the terror I have inspired. I might have destroyed a score or 

 two of poltroons. I shall paralyse the efforts of thousands ; for your 

 countrymen fight valiantly against men, but they still fear the devil. 

 The monks know it well, and they avail themselves of heaven as I do 

 of Satan." 



Fasillo made no reply, but contented himself with asking what 

 were his future intentions ? 



" We have now but one Tartane, Fasillo, and it would be difficult 

 to continue the contraband trading; I have, therefore, resolved to 

 visit South America, after having once more seen the monja. The 

 terror of the Spaniards will last some time ; besides which our re- 

 treat is as secret as it is safe ; thus it can be accomplished with little 

 danger ; let us discourse, therefore, of the convent of Santa Mag- 

 dalena." 



Long and animated was the discussion that succeeded the final 



