So the boy walked up and down the room, whilst the girls told each other stories in order to keep awake--so anxious were they to hear the first news of the defeat of the rebels. Then after a time the guns of St. Jerome were heard booming through the night air, and all rushed to the window--to see, however, nothing but the darkness. At the same moment there was a whisper heard through the keyhole, and they recognised the voice of Andreas.
'Señorito Carlo, are you here? Come quickly, in the name of Heaven and Santa Teresa! Do not be afraid; it is I--Andreas. Open the door.'
Carlo rushed to the door and seized the faithful Indian's hand.
'What is it, Andreas? Speak quickly.'
'There must be some treachery, Señor, for a party of pirates are climbing up towards the castle, and the guards below have disappeared from the walls.'
CHAPTER VIII.
A BRAVE DEFENCE.
When Carlo rushed away, an impulse to follow and see what was taking place seized the three whom he left behind. A strange silence had come over the castle. The moon was just rising and throwing a faint light over the forest; but nothing could be seen save the tall palms and the luxurious undergrowth in dark masses against the clear sky.
'Señorita, come here!' cried Catalina, hurrying to another window which looked on the sea side of the castle; and as the two girls hurried after her they beheld the bay below; not silent and calm as usual, but with the pirate boats busily plying backwards and forwards towards the shore lower down.
'What does all this mean, Catalina?' said Felipa, clinging to her nurse. 'Where is my father? And what did Andreas mean by coming to fetch Carlo? What shall we do? Etta, are you frightened?'