The sailing of the galleon, now become a corsair's ship, was watched
from the monastery with no little interest by at least one person This was
the prior, padre Eustaquio. He was standing in the eastern window of the
corridor which overlooked the sea-board. At the first intimation that the
pirates were getting underweigh a cloud of anxiety and mistrust that enveloped
his features disappeared, and a cold exulting smile lighted up his
proud austere countenance, like moon-beams breaking through wintry
clouds. Something of Father Eustaquio's character has already been hinted
at. He belonged to that class of ambitious ecclesiastics, at that day more
numerous and powerful than at present, who would see the church rich in
this world's goods as well as in spiritual. He mourned over the degeneracy
and heretical tendency of the age, which withheld from the coffers of the
mother church, the rich donations, which, in former ages princes and nobles,
the great and the small, used piously to pour into them. Now, few were
the bequests to the church. Her priories, convents and religious establishments
were falling into ruin, while many of those which remained were
shorn of their domains. Few monasteries could maintain a full brotherhood
of well-kept monks without parting piece-meal with the estates which gave
them dignity and power.

San Eliseo, the priory of father Eustaquio, was at one time one of the
most powerful houses of the order of Benedictine monks. But it had gradually
fallen until now it existed only nominally; father Eustaquio and four
poor brothers of the order alone dwelling in it and saving it from total ruin
and desecration. The prior did not cease daily to lament the poverty of his
priory, and in his sermons which he from time to time preached from city
to city, he did not fail to denounce with anathema those false sons of the
church who died without making her bequests; but his efforts to build up
San Eliseo were but illy-rewarded; for he returned to his priory seldom with
a heavier saca than he went forth with. Father Eustaquio belonged also to
one of the oldest families of Corsica, originally from Spain, and his pride of
descent was not a little involved in his desire to preside over a religious establishment
of wealth and influence. San Eliseo, it is true, afforded him a
quiet abode and leisure for books, to which he was greatly attached, and in
the study of which his time passed without interruption and in comparative
quiet. Perhaps, but for the arrival of the galleon, his peace would never
have been disturbed by any re-awakening of ecclesiastical ambition.

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The movements of the galleon, after she had hauled out of the inlet and
anchored, up to the time of her departing at the close of the day, had been
nervously watched by the prior. There was evidently, from his excited and
restless manner some deep subject upon his thoughts. At length when he
saw the galleon fling broad her canvass to the evening breeze and slowly
and majestically stand off from the land, his dark gray eye lighted up with
pleasure and satisfaction. He watched her as she steered northwardly doubling
the promontory of La Nez and then tack to pass round the northern
end of the island. He did not leave the window until the shades of night
gathering over the sea rendered her finally invisible.

`Heaven be thanked!' ejaculated the prior, as he turned from the window
when he could no longer see her—`Heaven be thanked! She has gone
and the saints keep her away henceforward!'

`Amen!' fervently said a deep voice close at hand. The prior looked
round with a frown and saw in the gloom of the chapel one of the monks
standing by him.

`What are you doing here, brother?' he demanded, sternly.

`I came to remind your reverence that the vesper bell is still tolling.'

`Ah, I had forgotten my duty. You did well to remind me. I was here
watching the pirate's departure. You heard me pray, Anselmo, that she
might never return?'

`Yes, your reverence, and I again respond `Amen!'

`Anselmo. There are some of the crew of the galleon saved! How
many reached the shore?'

`Seventeen common sailors.'

`You gave them food and have provided lodging for them?'

`Yes, your reverence.'

`Tomorrow morning the lugger from Santa Ana, which I despatched the
fisherman Piedro for, will be here to take them to Genoa, which is the nighest
port where they will be likely to find a Spanish vessel. Have you assembled
them in the chapel to return thanks for their escape from this pirate?
'

`They are there with the brethren, awaiting your presence!'

`And this maiden?' inquired the prior in a lower tone and with a slight
degree of confusion. `Does she still sleep?'

`Mancha, the vine-dresser's wife, says she has not waked since noon!'

`It is favorable. The medicine I administered after she revived from her
swoon was a soothing narcotic. She is comfortably lodged?'

`As well as she can be, your reverence, in such a place,' answered the
monk.

`I would gladly admit her into the monastery; but the rules of our order
strictly forbid that a woman should cross its threshold!'

`Yes, your reverence. I remember in Spain the queen desired to visit
our monastery of San Pablo, and did so in spite of the remonstrances of
the prior. But after she had left it, the door by which she had entered was
walled up, and the pavement wherever her foot had trod was taken up and
relaid!'

`Anselmo!'

`Your reverence!'

`I can trust you?'

`I am the servant of your reverence,' answered Anselmo, who was a
short, fat, oily monk, with a cheerful aspect and an habitual look of awe towards
his superior.

`Not now! By and by! The vesper hour is passed and I must to the
chancel!'

The ensuing morning a small lugger, called by the Corsicans a `Lozana,'
of about forty tons, latteen rigged, entered the inlet of El Gancho, and

[figure description] Page 028.[end figure description]

dropped anchor near the foot of the path leading up to the monastery. Already
grouped upon the white beach were the Spanish sailors. The monks
and father Eustaquio stood among them.

`Now, my children, fare thee well,' said the prior, lifting up his hands.—
`Kneel around me while I give thee my benediction!'

The seamen knelt in a half circle around; the brethren of the order also
kneeled behind their superior, and then in a firm, loud voice, the prior gave
them his blessing. When they had risen to their feet he said—

`Come hither each of you and kiss my hand, children. I have provided
at my expense a safe and commodious vessel for you to depart in for Genoa,
where you will doubtless find some ship of your own country. I wish
you a prosperous voyage. With regard to the specie which has been entrusted
to the convent,' added father Eustaquio, avoiding the eyes of the
men, `I would enjoin upon you religious silence; lest hearing of its being
here, some lawless freebooter may visit the island and carry it off by force
before I can send word to his most Catholic Majesty that it is here, which I
shall do the earliest convenience. Now depart, my children, with my blessing!
'

The seamen then, each in turn, reverently kissed the hand of the prior,
and embarked for the Lozana in a small boat, which travelled thrice between
it and the shore before it took them all on board. The little vessel
then hoisted her triangular sails, and favored by a fair though a light wind
moved out from the shore, and soon afterwards entered upon the open sea,
steering her course towards the Tuscany coast. The monks re-ascended to
their monastery; but the prior lingered on the terrace of rocks by the gate
to watch the receding lugger with perhaps no less interest in her departure
than he had felt in that of the galleon. He did not turn from the rock until
he saw her like a spec upon the horizon. When he did so his face wore a
peculiar expression of satisfaction.

`They have gone too! The pirates first departed, as I believe, ignorant
of the treasure conveyed here; and now the only witnesses of it have departed
also! What guilty ambitious views are taking such strong hold upon
my soul? What dark and daring thoughts have seized my senses? I
fear to examine myself! I fear to know what I feel! I tremble to ask myself
what I mean? This is a strange event that has occurred! A million
and a half of gold and silver in bullion and coin in the vaults of the convent
and those who deposited it here have perished! A portion, I was told by
Don Ferdinand belonged to the crown, but a half a million in the boxes and
hide-sacks, marked “F DE G.” were his own. Yes, he brought his own
wealth on shore first! then as much of the king's as he could before the
corsair came upon them! He is now dead! the king's captain is dead!
the men who deposited it here are dead or departed! Shall I look upon this
as an act of Providence for the good of the monastery! Shall not God rob
kings for his church?'

The ambitious prior walked up and down the terrace in deep thought!
He had evidently yet formed no plan. That he had been assaulted by the
temptation and given ear to it, to appropriate, if possible, the treasures in
his vaults to enriching his monastery was evident! The temptation had taken
hold upon him with the firm grasp of avarice. Yet how should he do
this thing in safety! How could he appropriate the King of Spain's treasures!
Their fate would sooner or later be known! Some of the seamen
would reach Spain, and would necessarily mention it in describing the loss
of the galleon. This difficulty seemed insurmountable.

`No. I cannot take the king's money! That I must deliver up! It is
clear that it will be claimed. Therefore to stand well with his majesty I
will not delay sending him word. I will do it promptly by despatching a

[figure description] Page 029.[end figure description]

lugger! My promptness and zeal will doubtless be rewarded by the king.
I shall at least gain something! This step shall be taken without delay!'

The prior again renewed his thoughtful walk up and down the terrace.—
A subject of deep and powerful interest was evidently agitating his mind.
His brow contracted and grew dark. His lips were compressed with energy,
or moving with muttered expressions.

`The father has perished! She alone lives! She is in my power! The
secret of his treasure may be kept! Ah! I have it! Heaven, I thank thee
for the thought! It is mine! The treasure is the church's! Happy thought!
At one stroke—at a single glance of the mind I have done it!'

The shade cleared up from his brow! His head was elevated! His eye
beamed with a smile of success, and his step became buoyant and firm!—
An air of decision sat upon his features and took the place of his previous
anxiety and agitation. He looked like a man who has determined upon an
evil step and has boldness to pursue it.

He lingered an instant to scrutinize the horizon in the direction which
the lugger had taken, and then, instead of entering the gate of the monastery
as he was first about to do, he passed rapidly around the walls to
the south side of the vast pile, and approached a hamlet composed of half
a dozen of vine-dressers and goat-herds huts, which were built on a
sort of street under the walls. He directed his steps towards one of these
abodes, shaded by a fig-tree, and sheltered by an angle of the southern tower
It was a neat peasant's cottage with a thatched roof and a rude portico
before the low entrance. As the prior approached the humble habitation
his step faltered, and a few paces off he stopped to get perfect command of
the expression of his countenance; then with a dignified religious air that
became his noble figure, he entered the open door of the cot.

`Benedicite, sister!' he said as a poor woman came from an inner apartment
on hearing his step.

`Good morning, your reverence,' she humbly answered, dropping on one
knee and crossing herself. `You have come to see how the poor lady
does.'

`Yes, Mancha,' answered the prior gravely. `She is a daughter of the
church in affliction and needs our care.'

She is better, your reverence, this morning. Last night, after she had
waked up and remembered all that had happened she wept for three hours
mourning her father and then fell asleep. She seems more easy this morning
and has eaten something. Will your reverence walk in and see her.—
She is dressed, for I told her you would no doubt call to talk with her.'

Father Eustaquio followed her into a low ceiled chamber, where seated
in a cane chair, with her face leaning upon her hand sat the lovely orphan,
her face pale with silent grief. On the entrance of the monk she lifted her
large tearful eyes towards his face, and a slight color chased the pallor from
her cheek.

`You are kind, reverend father to visit me!' she said with a grace of manner
of which that affliction could not rob her. `I am just able to realise the
full extent of my misfortune! I fear to enquire—but has my father's body
been found?'

`It has not, sister. Several of the bodies have been heaved upon the
beach, and will be interred to day with the services of the church. Search
shall be made for that of Senor de Garcia!'

`Thanks, your reverence,' she answered with grateful warmth.

`I trust you are better, senora?'

`I am less overcome than at first, I should feel more resigned to know
that my father had Christian sepulture. It is fearful to think of his lying
unburied beneath the sea!'

`Every means shall be taken to recover his body, lady. In the meanwhile

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I would look to your comfort. You are aware that the rules of our order
do not permit females to enter within the walls of our establishments.—
Mancha! you may retire,' he said, turning to the woman. `Now that we
are alone, senora, I will invite you to share the hospitalities of the monastery
until you can obtain passage for Spain. The hut is not suitable for the
accommodation of a person of your rank, and also it is unsafe for you to
remain here; for there are ladrones upon the shore as well as upon the sea.
There is one wing which has not been used for some time, and is not now by
the order, which I will prepare for you. There you can remain secluded
until a vessel arrives from Spain to remove the specie belonging to the
crown. You shall be surrounded with every comfort and have a woman to
wait upon you.'

Dona Elena thanked the prior who seemed so kindly interested in her
welfare and said, `I have no alternative but to intrude upon your hospitality,
reverend father, until I can leave in a vessel for Spain. I possess as you
know wealth. I pray you to hire for me from the adjoining port a vessel to
transport me and my father's treasure to the nearest port of Spain!'

`There is no vessel, lady, lying in that port which could safely make the
voyage with your specie. I will, tomorrow, despatch one to inform the
king of the treasure here in my possession, and also of your presence here.
Doubtless before many days—a month at farthest—some vessel will be despatched
hither to receive you and the bullion!'

`Till then I will be your guest,' said Dona Elena.

The Prior then took his leave.

Towards evening of the same day the Castillian maiden, escorted by the
prior and followed by Mancha, who was to be her attendant, entered the wing
appropriated to her accommodation, until she should be able to leave the island.
Here Dona Elena found every comfort suitable to her sex and condition,
though without any luxuries. Books were at her command, and she
had the privilege of walking upon the terrace over the corridor, which commanded
a wide horizon. Here she would turn her gaze towards Spain,
and pray for some friendly vessel to visit the island. In the meanwhile, the
prior had despatched a small lugger to the nearest Spanish port, with a let
ter, to be forwarded by a courier to the king. It was as follows:

Dated at San Elisco, (Corsica) June 28, 1700.
“Most-Noble and Powerful Catholic Prince,
Emperor and Lord!

It is my painful duty to communicate to your Highness, the loss, by capture,
in our bay of El Gancho on the morning of the 25th instant, of Your
Majesty's Galleon `La Reina Isabel.' This ship was driven into the Mediterranean
by an adverse gale and afterwards prevented by a corsair from
regaining her port, being chased until she run for shelter, three nights ago
into our secluded bay. Here she was attacked and defended with great
courage, so that she sunk the corsair's vessel, who boarded the Galleon in
boats, and after a hard fight succeeded in capturing her. Among the slain
were the captain with all his officers, and El Escelentissimo Senor Don
Ferdinand de Garcia, who with his daughter were passengers. Previous to
the attack, Don Ferdinand removed for safe keeping to our priory, one million
of specie belonging to your majesty, which I hold in trust at your majesty's
command. He left on board the galleon half a million which there
was not time to remove, which fell into the hands of the corsair Kidd, who
has possessed himself of the captured vessel and, after repairing her, sailed
from the island in her, doubtless bent on further deeds of rapine.

I further inform your highness that Don Ferdinand landed half a million
in specie, belonging to himself, which I have also in the priory vaults. His
daughter, who was fortunately landed before the attack is now here under

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our protection, and will take measures for the transportation to Spain of herself
and of her father's wealth.

Your most Sacred Majesty's very humble servant, who kisses the royal
feet and hands yf your majesty.

We now return to the galleon for the present, and follow new adventures.
The fourth day after leaving the island she encountered a heavy tempest,
which compelled her, after battling with it a night and a day to put into
the Infidel port of Algiers for shelter. It so happened that at this time there
existed between England and the Dey a good understanding, and the English
ships, by paying a yearly tribute, were suffered to trade with the country
without obstruction. The Dey had a high respect for the English nation,
not only on account of their strength and valor, but for the riches their commerce
poured into his lap. This state of feeling was well known to the
corsair, who had made himself familiar with all the peculiarities appertaining
to every part of the globe. Finding himself compelled by the storm to
run into Algiers, he run up the English flag at the peak, resolved to assume
the character of an English ship. He came boldly to anchor under the
guns of the castle of the Dey, where he rode out the gale; and the next
morning the storm having subsided, he went on shore to pay a visit to his
his highness.

The Dey received him in great state and with gorgeous displays of his
magnificence and power. His Highness was seated upon a throne of ivory,
at the upper extremity of a lofty Hall surrounded by mirrors. It was
the great audience chamber. The floor was covered with Persian mats
representing battle scenes; the most costly canopy of gold with hangings of
tapestry surrounded the throne; the ceiling was adorned with exquisite
paintings of flowers in gold and blue, and was supported by columns of
beautiful verde antico. On the right of the throne a step lower than the seat
oceupied by the Dey, was a burnished chair in which was seated the Sultan
Mother; and on his left upon a pile of gorgeous carpets reclining upon a
cushion covered with the soft gold feathers of the olange was the beautiful
daughter of the Dey, the Princess Xerifa! Around her knelt a group of
female slaves, and behind the throne stood a score of tall Moors, in green
urbans and holding naked scimetars in their hands.

On either side of the passage to the throne were lines of soldiers drawn
up, and outside of the hall, in the paved court, were squadrons of gorgeous
cavalry superbly armed and costumed.

Through the midst of this imposing array of military power and regal
magnificence, the corsair and Belfort passed to be presented to the Dey.—
Both were richly attired and were in character with the scene of splendor.
Knowing the customs of the country, Kidd knelt and kissed the ground at
the feet of the Dey, and then rising bowed his head low to the Sultan Mother,
while with his eyes as well as his person he did homage to the beautiful
Princess. Belfort went through the same ceremony with equal self-possession;
and as his glance noted the wonderful beauty of the Princess, he
could scarcely suffer himself to withdraw it.

`You are welcome noble captain of England,' said his Highness, graciously
speaking in Spanish. `We hail your presence here in our port as a further
seal of the good feeling which exists between our court and that of
your king. But we in a special manner welcome you here; for we shall
need your service and that of your ship!'

`My ship and myself are both at the service of your Highness,' answered
the corsair readily.

`You shall not serve me without recompense, Sir Englishman! After you

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have been refreshed by the collation which awaits you, I will open to you
the business for which I desire yeur service!'

Thus speaking the Dey rose from his throne, and commanding them to
follow him, retired into an inner apartment, where a sumptuous feast was
spread for their entertainment.