than many of my age, in the use of arms."

At nine o'clock the squadron arrived in the port, bringing with them
the captured galley. As soon as they were seen approaching, the church
bells rang, flags were hung out from the houses, and the whole
population assembled at the quay to welcome the victors and to hear the
news.

"Do you go on at once, directly we land, Francisco, and set the girls'
minds at ease. I must come on with the governor, and he is sure to be
detained, and will have much to say before he can make his way through
the crowd."

Francis was, on his arrival at the governor's, recognized by the
domestics, and at once shown into the room where the girls were
awaiting him. The fact that the pirate galley had been captured was
already known to them, the news having been brought some hours before,
by a horseman, from the other side of the island.

"Where is our father?" Maria exclaimed, as Francis entered alone.

"He is well, and sent me on to relieve your minds."

"Saint Mark be praised!" Maria said. "We have been sorely anxious about
you both. A messenger, who brought the news, said that it could be seen
from the shore that there was a desperate fight on board the pirate
ship, which was attacked by one galley only. We felt sure that it would
be the ship that the governor was in, and we knew you were with him;
and our father was so enraged at what had happened, that we felt sure
he would take part in the fight."