'How?' asked Ellen, hardly realizing what she said.

'Through the agency of our friends on ship-board' replied Mary.

'Oh yes, I recollect now,' said Ellen. 'My father and Arthur have gone
on board our vessel, but I have seen nothing of Henry or Patrick, since
we first landed upon this fatal spot. Where do you think they can be?'

'I have been trying to convince my mind of their safety, ever since we
fell in with our cruel captors,' answered Mary, 'yet I cannot say that I
have succeeded in so doing. From the top of some adjacent hill, they may
have witnessed the scenes which transpired on the occasion of our
capture, and concealed themselves in some of the fissures of the rocky
cliffs, there to await assistance from the ship, or--'

'They may have been taken prisoners, by the pirates, as you call them,'
interrupted Ellen.

'Heaven forbid,' exclaimed Mary earnestly. 'But if that should be the
fact,' continued the fair girl, after a moment's pause, 'I feel greatly
consoled by the hope that they, as well as ourselves, will find a speedy
release from this horrible bondage.'

'I'm sure it will not be Captain Rowland's fault, if we are not very
soon liberated,' replied Ellen.

'You seem to be rather partial towards this Captain Rowland,' Mary
carelessly remarked.

'Partial, what mean you by that, Mary?' asked Ellen, as a slight blush