with the magazine, and had blown in one instant of time that entire and
beautiful fabric into ten thousand atoms!

Even Maud, with all her hatred and passion, quailed at the shock, and
trembled as she crouched to the ground with averted face. She realized
the result of her treachery, but looked in vain for the object on whom
she had hoped to reck the strength of her indignation and her hate.
Where was he? This was a question that Captain Bramble had several times
asked; but in vain, until now, when suddenly there appeared before their
eves, hastening towards the scene, Captain Will Ratlin.

"Seize him, my men! seize him, and bind his arms!--he is our prisoner,"
said the English officer.

"By what authority do you give such an order as that, Captain Bramble?"
asked the young commander.

"In the queen's name, sir; in the name of the English people, who abhor
pirates and slavers!" was the taunting reply of the Englishman.

"Stand back!" said Captain Ratlin, felling two seamen to the earth who
approached him to lay hands upon his person, and at the same time
drawing a revolver from his pocket. "Stand back, I say! I carry the
lives of six of you in this weapon, and I am not one to miss my aim, as
your valiant leader yonder well knows.--Now, Captain Bramble, I will
surrender to you, provided you accede to my terms, otherwise you cannot
take me alive!"

"Well, sir, what have you to offer?" said the English officer,
positively quailing before the stern and manly front of the young