The Frozen Crew Of The Ice-Bound Ship; Or, Terrors Of The Arctic Region — page 86: what you’re looking at

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76 glancing anxiously at the pirates, whom she strove to ressure by her confident looks.” Rotaldo bent his brows, and took no notice of the observation. _ Suddenly an imperious gesture of his hand caused the fire-arms pointed at the captive to be withdrawn. _ The action operated as a check upon the violence threatened; and permitted Emona to throw her arms around the neck of Nick, who by her advice had con- strained his wrath. Agitation for the moment deprived him of the power of utterance, and he cast a grateful smile upon his companion, in seemirg recognition of the service She had rendered him. ‘Till heaven itself deserts us,” said Emona, “ why should we despair ?”’ ick ave T not submitted, and for your sake ?”’ asked ick, “You have,” replied Emona, “and doubt not that the crimes of these guilty and obdurate men will yet be punished; the prayers of the unfortunate are heard even in a desert.’’ ‘We shall have the anchor a-peak, and the ship under weigh, ere we are much older, my lass,” said Nick; ‘‘ we shan’t be long in the bilboes if I know anything of seamanship.” Emona cast her eyes upon the ground as he added, in a whisper— “Tcan’t tell you exactly what I mean to do, but when I hear a signal that a sail is in sight, I ehall board these loblolly boys, sword in hand.” “It is usless to struggle against destiny.” “ And destiny does favour us,’’ observed Rotaldo, who had overheard the remark. “ Fate, it seems, is on our side, and we should be ungrateful if we did not take advantage of her favours. “Forward,” he continued, addressing his com- rades, They eyed their captors fiercely. Emona clung despairingly to Nick. Neither uttered a word as the men put themselves in motion, and prepared to conduct them to the place of confinement. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE VALKYRA, OR THE THREE SISTERS OF FATE.— FOOTSTEPS IN THE SNOW. The pirates had scarcely auitted the spot upon which we have left them, than a boat might have been observed nearing the locality. The rowers advanced with swiftness, but cau- tion. 3 Having gained the ice-bank, they lingered like those who await the appearance of an absent person, or the approach of some expected event. The vast canopy of heaven was dark and still charged with snow, a heavy storm of which had lately fallen, robing the earth more thickly than ever with its spotless raiment. The gloom overshadowed the wintry landscape and frozen ocean with a deep hue, while its breath- ing silence was interrupted only by the low voices of the individuals who broke the solitude. The loiterers, after a short time spent in murmur- ing conversation, got out of their boat and ascended the bank, The foremost, Fergus Blake, seated himself on a small rock, in'a position that permitted him to heighten the effect of his earnest language. Come, skipper,” he said, addressing Paul Jones, who stood in Gespondency by his side, “ we mustn’t blind our eyes with sorrow, when we are ordered to be on the look-out, THE FROZEN CREW AND ICE-BOUND SHIP. “ We followed so sharply in pursuit,’ he added, “that the run-aways can’t be far ahead of us, and, despite of either sail or steerage, it strikes me we shall come up with them before they can do any mischief.” “©T will hope for the best,” said Paul Jones, with a melancholy air; ‘‘ but, Fergus Blake, you know as weil as I, Rotaldo, of old. “He is of that temperament,’’ added the speaker, ‘‘which the dark influences desire as the tools of their agency.” “He is bold, haughty, and unrestrained by prin- ciple, I admit,” returned Fergus. ‘Such he is,” said the other, and as such his course through life has been—onward, bloody, and tempestuous. Think you, for a moment, he will re- spect Emona, now that she is within his power? No, though the demon he serves should arise in his terrors, and forbid the deed.” ; There was a pause as Paul Jones ended. It was broken by Sumach, who now advanced with Zoe. ‘* Fergus,” she said, ‘‘you must do Zoe and mea favour—you must allow us to leave, and go as far as yonder ice-berg.”’ “What freak can this be, dearest Sumach?” re- turned Fergus, much amazed at the request. ‘Some Indian observance of superstition, I suppose, but the time is too dangerous that I should permit you to pass to the spot alone.” “No buckra man or debil touch Sumach,’’ inter- rupted the attendant, “when she hab two pro- tectors, Zoe and de Great Spirit.” “Fergus,’’ said Sumach, ‘this if no jesting matter, the life of Emona depends on your giving us this permission.”’ **For what purpose? At least let me know that.” ‘‘Remain content, no harm will come to me.” “But should you encounter the Spaniard,’’ said Fergus Blake. ‘““T do not seek him, but the spot where our ancestors offered sacrifices to the heathen deities. Here will I offer up a prayer to a more merciful power than was known to them. Can you doubt its efficacy ?” continued Sumach, in a voice every note of which thrilled to the heart of the listeners. _“Let her have her own will,’ said Paul Jones, struck by the singular appeal. ‘‘Who knows, but in her state of mind, she may do more, than our- selves. “ Something whispered to me,’ he continued “ that heaven would prosper her.” “This is madness, raving madness,” said Fergus. «“ Consider ——’’ “I can consider nothing but Emona’s danger,” interrupted Sumach. “‘But why go alone?” asked Fergus, “we can — surely accompany you.” ‘“Your presence would frustrate the scheme I have devised. You must remain here, till I give the signal for you to advarice.” “If I agree to this; have fear P” ‘No, none,’’ said Sumach ; “if I had any, do you think I would urge you thus?” Fergus considered the matter for an instant, and then somewhat unwillingly gave consent to the pro- posal, meantime intimating that he and Paul Jones would remain where they were. The Indians, muffled in their mantles, proceeded on their pilgrimage to the shrine of ice, As Sumach passed from her lover, she threw back upon him a look of gratitude and affection, which doubled, if possible, his anxiety for her safety. “T fear these women are engaged in some wild enterprise,” said Fergus Blake, after a pause. “Indians are superstitious,’ replied Paul Jones, you no suspicion or . OmMmichbooksnco im