THE PIRATES OF SEGNA. 325 



congenial to their habits and occupations, the Uz- 

 coques began to recover from their alarm, and the 

 murmur of voices was again heard as they seized the 

 sacks and hastily filled them with the various objects 

 lying on the beach. Everything being collected, the 

 pirates commenced toiling their way up the steep 

 mountain-path leading to the castle, with the excep- 

 tion of a few who still lingered at the entrance of the 

 cavern, and whom the prisoners could hear disputing 

 about some point on which there seemed to exist 

 much difference of opinion. 



" Hell and the devil ! " at last exclaimed an im- 

 patient voice, in a louder tone than had yet been em- 

 ployed. " There's little chance that we have not 

 been seen from the castle; for the warder would 

 expect us back about this time, and doubtless was 

 on the look-out. These Turkish hounds have seen 

 everything, and might easily betray us. Let us leave 

 them here till to-morrow, till I have spoken to the 

 warder, and arranged that they be sent on at once to 

 Gradiska without coming to speech of the captain. 

 I will join the escort myself to make it still surer." 



After some slight opposition on the part of the 

 others, this proposal was adopted, and the remaining 

 pirates took their departure. The sound of their 

 footsteps along the rocky path had scarcely died 

 away on the ears of the anxiously listening captives, 

 when loud acclamations and cries of joy announced 

 the arrival of the first detachment at the castle. The 



