2?

THE “‘SWORD” IN CONFLICT WITH THE TUG 239

vicinity of the Beehive. He always shows himself dis-
posed to converse with me in an impertinent, flippant way.

We talk of one thing and another—rarely of my situa-
tion, about that it is useless to argue. I should only
bring fresh sarcasm upon myself,

October 22nd.—To-day I thought I might ask the
engineer whether the schooner had gone with the tug.

“Yes, Mr. Simon Hart,” he replied, “and though the
weather is detestable, regular dogs’ or wolves’ weather in
fact, you need have no fear for our dear Edda!”

“Ts she to be long away?”

“We expect her back within forty-eight hours. This is
Count d’Artigas’ last voyage before the winter storms
-render these waters absolutely impracticable.”

“A voyage of pleasure—or business ?” I inquired.

Serk6 answered me, smiling,—

“Business, Mr. Hart, business! At the present time
our bombs are completed, and when the fine weather comes
we have only to resume the offensive.”

“ Against unfortunate ships.”

** Equally unfortunate—and richly laden |”

“ Acts of piracy, which you will not always practise with
impunity, I hope!” I exclaimed.

“Calm yourself, my dear colleague, calm yourself. You
-know quite well no one will ever discover our retreat, no
one can ever reveal the secret! Besides, with these
bombs, so easily managed, and of such awful force, it
will be easy for us to destroy any ship which passes
within a certain. distance. of the island.”