'You know, Felipa, that Carlo has taught me the peculiar whistle which will bring Andreas to the foot of the south window,' said Etta. 'If he is still in the neighbourhood he will hear it, and he would take his canoe to the mainland and warn your uncle, the Governor of Chagres--I am sure he would.'
'But how could he leave his own castle?' answered Felipa. 'Dear Etta, you are so hopeful and clever! If this could really come to pass! Poor father would be glad, I am sure; for he must already be sorry all these horrid men are in our hall. Yet he did it for the best.'
This talk was now interrupted by the tread of footsteps without. The girls had not been to bed, and were still in the sitting-room. Felipa turned pale, and tremblingly clung to Catalina till she recognised her father's voice in the passage, though the tones were sadly changed.
The sun this morning shone gloriously in upon the frightened group as the unhappy Marquis and Captain Morgan entered. Felipa at once ran up to her father and put her hand into his, asking in this mute way for his protection; but Etta, who was never at her ease with the Spanish Governor, stood alone by the window. Yet, in spite of her inward fears, she could not help feeling some curiosity at the sight of the dreaded pirate about whom she had heard so much.
After all, the buccaneer was not as dreadful as she had expected; and, even if his appearance were somewhat strange, yet Etta felt she was in the presence of one of her own countrymen; and her fears were further dispelled by the sight of her new friend, Harry Fenn, close behind the Captain. As for Catalina, she turned her face to the wall and audibly muttered her prayers, or perhaps they were curses, on the intruder.
'This, Captain, is my daughter,' said the Marquis, speaking in a very nervous manner, 'and this other maiden is the English girl I mentioned. Her father was an English merchant, and was killed here in fair fight; she will tell you she has been very kindly treated.'
'Thou canst speak thine own tongue, I hope?' said Captain Morgan; 'if so, tell me thy name, little countrywoman. I trust thou hast not altogether forgotten the speech of merrie England.'
'My name is Henrietta Allison, and my mother told me our family was from Kent; but oh, Sir Captain, will you release Carlo? Do not take his words amiss, for he is as brave as any Englishman, and I should be loth that my countrymen did him any harm.' Etta spoke with vehemence; her love for Carlo made her bold, and she altogether forgot her fears.
Captain Morgan frowned a little as he said, 'Marry! An overbold English girl, I see. That young ragamuffin has only got his deserts, for it always goes ill with a son who does not follow his father's footsteps. But I like a wench that is fearless. Speak up, girl, and tell me if thou hast any other boon to ask.'
'If you will not grant me this one, I will have no other,' replied Etta, her flashing eyes saying far more than mere words.