'Ah, Rowland, you're a deep one, and a fortunate one, too. Every thing
connected with your plans seems to prosper, on land as well as sea.
Blackbeard has proved himself a good assistant, too, for I can see that
he has taken good care of the young ladies, whilst at the same time I
perceive that he is about to send the gentlemen back again to their old
quarters. I must wear ship, I suppose, and take them on board.' 'On
deck, there!'

'Aye, aye, sir,' answered the first lieutenant.

'Put the ship upon the other tack, and brace the head-yards sharp up,
leaving the main and main top-sail yards square.'

After this last order had been duly and promptly complied with Captain
Rowland descended quickly to the deck, upon reaching which, was thus
addressed by his first officer:--

'See, sir, how fast that strange brig gains upon us.'

'I see she does,' answered Rowland, 'and I am sorry that we are obliged
to lay aback here, when we should be trying to get the weather-gauge of
her. But there is no help for it, for I observe that the earl and his
companions have left the shore, and they are now pulling for dear life
in order to reach us in time.'

Leaving for the present, the noble Gladiator, with her decks clear for
action, and her brave crew awaiting in eager silence, the nearer
approach of the piratical vessel, we will proceed to give our readers as
much information of the previous character of Captain Roderick Rowland,