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Ranadar stood in silence awaiting his fate. At last the Turkish captain approached him. "Dog of an Infidel! Who are you who are thus saved when Moslems have perished?" "I am a Greek." "I know you are, and that you are a corsair, and that you have served under Ranadar, the abhorred of heaven, whom Mahomet confound! But he is even now in Eblis." "He is not. He lives."
He thought that she was some unearthly being when he heard it, and looked upon her as she buried her face in her hands and wept. A sudden noise alarmed her, and she raised herself languidly upon her couch. Footsteps were heard outside, and after a time Ranadar saw the door open and his hated foe Achmet, walk in. "Allah save you, beautiful Grecian maiden! Who is there who in beauty can equal Iona?
He searched narrowly around, and at length saw a small panel which seemed fastened by a concealed bolt. This he pushed back, the door opened, and Ranadar stood before Iona.
The time will come when you will tremble before me-Ranadar, the corsair!" He cried so loudly, that they seemed to have heard him, for suddenly a shot came from the long gun, but it fell short, far short of the mark. The men of Ranadar shouted in derision, and jerked the flag whenever appeared the humiliated crescent, so as to attract the notice of the Turks.
But the others were prepared, and drew up to await their approach. On came the vessel of Ranadar, and the flags flew proudly from both masts, while the men shouted enthusiastically. Loud sounded the thunder of her guns as she passed swiftly by the two vessels. But the report and the cries from the wounded were all exceeded by that of the broadside given back by the Turks.
The long gun was loaded after some trouble, and pointed directly at the corsair vessel. Ranadar and his men cried out in tones of defiance. At last the shot came. A loud explosion thundered around, a ball came whizzing by, and passed through the sails, but did not touch the mast. "What use is there to run, Maffeo?" "None, whatever, captain." "Are the guns all-ready-loaded?" "Yes, every one."
He examined this, tried its strength carefully, and then tied it round him. he then took off his Fez cap, and from beneath the lining he pulled out some small instruments. There was a knife, and a saw of the finest and hardest Damascus steel. But little light now entered the window, for it was late in the afternoon. Ranadar went up to it and tried to pull the iron from its place, but in vain.
Loud cheers arose and shouts of "Long live Ranadar! Long live our noble captain, the brave Ranadar!" And now the wind which Ranadar had prophesied, came down to them. It blew steadily and strongly, so that in a short time her sharp prow dashed the bright waves foamingly on either side.
Ranadar gazed anxiously upon his pursuers. Still they came bounding over the waves behind him, and his quick eye could not but see that the distance between them was gradually lessened. "Maffeo, they are coming up to us." "What, can a Turkish vessel equal our swift ship?" "These are sharp, and see what huge sails they carry. I fear they will come up with us."
If you will not love me willingly, I would scorn to compel you. I have come this time expecting you to be more kind. I find you unaltered, I do not love you well enough to wait for you to change. You must die!" Ranadar shuddered with ill-suppressed rage, but the lovely Iona gazed at Achmet unshrinkingly. "I know you love another. I know your affection for that pestilent Grecian.
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