"Curses on the girl!" muttered the man at the helm.
"O, I was careless, Diego; I will bring the lantern in a moment;" and laying down the hat on the companion-way beside the pirate, who paid no attention to the movements around him, she glided back to the cabin.
"Here, lady," said she, "be quick—hand this lantern to the man at the helm, and then drop silently behind him while he is lighting it. I will immediately follow and take your place beside him. You understand me?"
"Yes, clearly."
"Well, as soon as I begin to speak with him, let yourself down into the boat by the painter, which I will soon cut apart, and then you will at least be out of the hands of your enemies."
Julia took the hand of Florette in her own, and warmly thanked her, but the girl impatiently checked her.
"Take this pistol with you also."
"But why?" inquired Julia, with a woman's instinctive dread of such weapons.
"O, I don't mean you should shoot any body, but if the boat drifts a little out of the brig's course, you might not be able to make yourself heard on her deck."
"True, true."