As the pirate calmly concluded his strange speech, sweet Ellen Armstrong
sank fainting into the arms of Arthur Huntington; and Mary Hamilton,
with a blanched cheek, shrank closer to her uncle's side, as he thus
indignantly addressed the pirate:

'Villain, I command you to leave the presence of these ladies,
instantly.'

'Until their safety is duly cared for, I shall not stir from this spot,'
coolly replied the pirate.

'Take your fair burthen to the boat, Arthur,' exclaimed the earl,
impatiently, 'and I will follow you.'

'You may go, but the ladies will remain,' said the pirate decidedly, who
at the same time gave a loud peculiar whistle, and the next moment the
earl found himself and his companions surrounded by a band of ferocious
desperadoes, who, with brandished weapons, stood ready to execute the
commands of their leader.

'Two of you take these ladies to the palace,' exclaimed Blackbeard,
'whilst the remainder of you will see the gentlemen safely embarked for
yonder ship.'

Although the earl and Arthur Huntington resisted manfully, their efforts
were unavailing, for whilst the two ladies were borne off in one
direction, they were quickly hurried on board their boat and compelled
by the threats of their ruffianly assailants to row swiftly towards the
noble Gladiator.