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Updated: June 24, 2025
As Zappa saw the fury of the squall, he felt that all his skill and all his courage would avail him as nought to save the Sea Hawk. In this, his last dire extremity, no craven fear filled his heart, and though for his own life he cared not, he remembered that there were others whose lives depended on him.
"However, as, by the law of chances, you could scarcely encounter him twice, I should much like to accompany you, for I should then consider myself safe from him. By what vessel do you go?" "A Venetian merchant schooner, the Floriana. She sails hence in four days; and, as she has a rich cargo, she is well-armed and has plenty of men so we need not fear Zappa or any other pirate."
Paolo remained with his sister and her friend, to aid them in holding on in their perilous position, in which they were further assisted by some ropes which Zappa had fastened to the rail, and placed in their hands. The operation required great caution, as the only chance of her swimming was to launch her on the lee-side, or, as it were, in board. The attempt was made.
"You look thinner than usual, my Nina; and the brightness of your eye has lost somewhat of its lustre since I left you," said Zappa, as they sat at the window of the tower, looking out on the moonlit sea; while within the chamber the light of a silver lamp, suspended from the roof, cast a brilliant radiance on every side, and on a table, spread with crystal goblets, and dishes glittering with silver and jewels, on which a luxurious repast had been served.
"If you wish to get under weigh, do so; but, tell me, what plan do you propose to pursue?" "I think, while the present gale lasts, of standing across to examine the island to the westward of this; and when it moderates, or if the wind shifts, I shall stand to the northward, towards the Gulf of Salonica, where there are numerous hordes of pirates, with whom Zappa is certain to find friends."
He threw open the door, and stood at the entrance; her arms were round her brother's neck, and she was weeping. For an instant she did not perceive that any one else was present she looked up, and beheld the pirate. With a cry, she tore herself from her brother's embrace, and, rushing towards Zappa, threw herself into his arms.
Paolo assured Zappa that he would keep a faithful watch, for all their sakes; and then, aided by him, he lighted a fire between themselves and the men, while he kept a store of wood on their side to feed it as it began to decay. The pirate, wrapping himself in a cloak, immediately threw himself down among the stores, and was instantly fast asleep.
Zappa having run the Ypsilante out of sight, shaped as northerly a course as the wind would allow him, towards that part of the Archipelago where the islands cluster the thickest, that, among their many intricate and dangerous channels, well known to him and his crew, he might have a greater chance of avoiding his enemies; and would be certain to find friends ready to assist him.
When Zappa saw, by the overwhelming number of his enemies who poured into the fort, that he must perish or make good his retreat from the island, he ordered those of the Sea Hawk's crew who were on shore to accompany him; and retreating from the fight, he left them below while he rushed up into Ada's tower, and gained the chamber where the terrified females were assembled.
"We will pay them off, my men, and, if we do not catch them the first tack, we will the second." Meantime Zappa held on his course, firing occasionally at the boats, but with less success than at first.
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