Among the released captives, of course, were our friends of the Rimini family.
One of these was seen going about the decks, glancing earnestly and quickly into faces, as if in search of some one.
It was Mariano seeking for Angela! He was closely followed by Ted Flaggan and Lucien.
“Depind on it, they’ve kep’ her back,” said Ted.
“I fear they have,” said Lucien.
Mariano said nothing, but went straight to the officer in charge of the deck, and demanded a body of men to go ashore and recover the Sicilian captives.
The case was brought before the chief, who at once granted Mariano’s request, and sent a party on shore.
Arrived at the palace they made a formal demand that the sisters and the child should be delivered up.
At first Omar pretended ignorance on the point. Then he suddenly recollected two female slaves who had been forgotten, and sent for them, but they were not those for whom Mariano sought! At last, seeing that there was no help for it, he gave orders that Paulina Ruffini, and her child and sister, should be given up.
Need we say that Mariano kept pretty close to Angela after that, and that Angela did not by any means object? We think not!