Here the voice of the invisible songster again ceased, and although both
Ellen and her companion listened long for its repetition, they listened
in vain, for it was heard no more.

After a short interval of silence had elapsed, Mary Hamilton addressed
her companion as follows--

'The thought has just entered my mind of attempting to escape from this
strange and horrible place.'

'I must own, dear Mary,' replied Ellen, 'that the place is strange
enough to terrify a less romantic person than myself, still I think it
far from being horrible. This room is almost as elegantly furnished as
was my dear mother's in London, and then only think of the delightful
music which has so lately greeted our ears.'

'Think too, of the horrid farce we have seen,' continued
Mary.--'Earnestly consider, dear Ellen, that we are in the power of
pirates and murderers, whose motives for detaining us, cannot be any
thing but evil, and then say if you will join me in making an attempt to
escape.'

'You talk of escaping from the pirate's palace, as though it were the
most easy and practicable thing in the world,' exclaimed Blackbeard,
who had abruptly entered the apartment from an inner room, and had stood
unperceived behind the captives whilst Mary Hamilton had spoken the
words quoted above.

Startled by the sudden and unexpected appearance of their strange, yet