Year: 1861

for now that her revenge was filed, and her wild
volcanic burst of passion over, her womannature
seemed to come back.


When Rinard on rushing from the room of Blanca,
reached the batements of the CASTLE he saw that the
large feet of the enemy bearing directly down upon
the castle firing as they swept in terrible broadsides
which raked his anchored ship fore and aft dealing de-
structon and death among his unprepared crews. The
enemy guided by the faithful and sagacious Edmundo
had probably in behind the thicklY wooded islands,
and thus gained the very mouth Of the harbor before
they seen for the pirates taken entirely by
surprise Yet they not men to yield without
struggle, and soon their fire commenced hot anu
heavy But the fleet seemed not to aim much for the
pirate ships they did for the CASTLE for they bore down
straight for the landing all four five which said
back to keep the pirates in check who on board
| OF the vessels and ON the islands.


When R3nard reached the battlements his first order
to hoist his fearful banner and from the tall
flag staff above his head its ebon folds waving
the breeze Then gathered around him his garrison,
each man, alone the two traitors ready to do and
die by his side. And they too there-ther drawn
sabres in hands, their eyes flashing with excitement
if of yore they ready tc dash into the thick
est of the fray for their chieitain


And there upon the batements was seated the dwarf
looking down with glee upon the combatants and the
approaching vessels Rnard saw that an attempt was
about to be made to the castle and that the Span
ards would land upon the pier which led into its gate
way and he determined to meet e enemy there ano to
repe them, ere they could gain footing.


Shouting to those who around him to follow, he
rushed to this point and reached 1t at the moment when
three Of the enemys ships had got alongside OF it, and
were pouring in their crews. Like lion heset by a
hundred hunters be dashed singy and alone into their
midst bp soon he followed by his crews, and then
ensued ii which pen could describe. Sabres
were clasbng, shots ringing the air Now you could
hear the crash of steel as downtown through flesh
and bone it with terrible weight; then were min
ged groans and shonts shries and curses And there
where the widest Of deaths terrible turmoil could be
heard there lowered the giant form of Rnard His bare
head seemed the mark for thousand cleaning swords
vet with his terrible right arm he swept wide circle
from around him, and never gave blow which did not
tell with fearful effect among his foes.


The Spaniards began to yeld the pirate fought with


desperation that rresstahle and one by one they
saw their brayest fall in the conflict The ship OF their


leader was not there he had been engaged with three Of
the pirate vessels and two of them had grapped with him
But Guilcrmo that his began to upon the
pier and after desperate effort succeeded in getting
bis vessel freed from their gappngs and at this crisis
bore down to the pier.


Then as he with his crew poured in amid the ensan-
guned tide Of battle the scene began to change and
gradually the pirates began fall back. Rinard saw
this and struggled madly hold his ground; but the
weight of numbers against him. and be saw that he
must yield. He with what desperate courage the
young leader fought. he saw too, that Edmundo was
there fighting like a hungry tiger, and he made one
effort reach the point where the swords drink
ing blood at every bloY.


But it was in vain, his men were falling too fast and
he shouted


"Back my men--baci1 within the main gate2 We can
hold them at bay from within the wall


Then with the survivors of his garrison he rereated
within the gate and succeeded in closng But GuermC
was not thus to be foied He glanced up at the walls
above him. and that the tall yards and masts OF ms
ship reached up even as high the battlements
"AIoft and mount the WALTZ lie shouted and dseizing
his sword between his teeth lie clambered up the rig
gng and the pirate king could reach the point
he with half OF his upon the battlements. A
he sprang upon the wall, he saw Rinard and his banl
rush toward him. but with single bound he reached the
foot of the flagstaff and severed the ads which sup
ported the flag. The next moment it seen like
huge black bird of fearful omen float laziF out free
from the staff and slowly TO settle down until te upor
the waves beyond the ramparts With yell Of despair
most Of the pirates threw away their weapons and fed
some sprang into the sea- others sought to hide whiI
the secret vaults of the castle; but still few clustered


around their chief aud with him batted only ends
e blood could fight.


The pirates in the bay deeming that all was lost whe


they saw their leaders flag lowered made sail on thei


ships and scattering far and wide escaped they could
h ''Edvardo. GonsalYo." shouted Rinard, and hi
gazed upon his small band which struggling so gal
Ianty 'wherc they? they slain? why fight the
S not by my side?


shout of derision from the Spaniard ranks eause
him look closely him who uttered it. and then tn


chief Gonsayo the traitor his sword dyed with th
S blood of his former comrades. He had changed tn


pirate uniform else would he sooner have been seen am
recognised. But Edvardo not to be seen.
When Rinard recognised the tseemed as if h
a was renewed for the fight. With such bound as
+ maddened lion would make toward its pray he bounded


forward and the next moment his blade was sweeping
fearful circles over the traitors head.
The latter defended himself as best he could but he
could cope with that terrible arm one moment more
=, and his headless trunk lay upon the bloody earth.


Then with tercer energy tie Spaniards pressed for
0 ward and Guilermo, shouting:


'Bianea Blanca! to the rescuew himself bore forwart


upon the pirate chief


"Hor' shouted the latter 'as he heard the cry it


her ye seek? Go seek her in the shades of deah" anc
y with terrible energy he met the attack.


Guilermo spoke not again. but his flashing steel fel


swift lightning and full as brightly against the oppos
ing blade Of the pirate The other combants pause(


if by mutual consent they paused and watched thi
: single and terrible conflict


Round ard round their blades emitting sparks of fire


the blows so swift that the blades could not be sep


araed so quickly again did they meet thus fought tn


two pussant chiefs First and then the other wou


fall back and advance each tried to gain same vantag
ground and the garing eye of each fixed upon h
other; they who stood near; knew not, care
d not how went the battle OIL while they together


But at last the pirate began to from weak


ness for yet his armor had protected his body AM


he injured in his uncovered head, And graspnl
with both hands his pondcrous sword, still he piled hi
furious blow. GCermc this and closely be FOLLOWED


up his vantage.


Rnards band saw his bold arm pegn TO nag, ana t0el
again they renewed the fight and dashed in upon th
other leader. But Guilermo not alone. His follow


ers again sprang into the melee and the fearful storm
deathand destruction began again rage in bloody fury
Rinard saw that the day lost, but yet desperat


determined he advanced.


h Back my men, fan back to the inner corridor b


shouted, and then again, looking forward to Gulermo
/? he cried.


t Follow, if you would see Blanca. 60 to conquer


or fall by her sde!"


n Let the scene change When Edvardo found that tn
Spaniards had gained the wall and would surely win tn
. day, he rushed down to the where the conde d
Soano and the good father Benito confined, an
bursting open their prison door, set them free The
guided by the dwarf who aided him. he led them hroug


che secret passage into Biancas room where Nina wa


found llneeling beside the supposed corpse Of Bancs
# weeping in she heard the fearful shouts of tn
S combatants.


ANGELA stood still and pale statue by her side


gazing down upon the cold form, with dry and teares


eye but burning, remorseful heart and eyered brain
The father and the priest both advanced and knelt
5 the side Of the motionless girl, while the little dwar
crouched down by the feet Of Angela, and gazed up
4 her face.


n Edvardo had paused at the outer door, and flung
wide open &c hear how went the tide of battle on but