_They leave the Snowy Island in the Pirate's Vessel._
The ship sailed, some among her crew lamented much the death of the two
young officers. Another captain was chosen from among them, and they
pursued their voyage without letting it be known what course they meant
to take. In fact, the vessel was a privateer, and did not belong to
Ireland, as Arnoldo was led to suppose, but to an island in rebellion
against England.
Maurice felt somewhat ill at ease, and not quite contented with the
company they had got amongst; fearing some harm from their free manners
and loose habits of living. He feared that the extreme beauty of
Auristella; the great comeliness of his own daughter, Transila; the
youth and charms of Constance, with her uncommon style of dress, might
awaken evil thoughts among these lawless men. He and the young Antonio
served as Arguses, and kept a close and anxious watch over their fair
charge. Rosamund, who had been in a declining state for some time,
died; the wide sea served for her sepulchre, and her companions, though
they could not grieve for her as a loss, yet felt her death with true
Christian compassion.
Often did they entreat that they might be conveyed to Ireland, if it
was not agreeable to the corsairs to go to England or Scotland; but
they answered, that until they had taken a valuable prize, they should
not touch at any land whatever, unless to take in water or necessary
provisions. Ricla had sufficient wealth in her golden ingots to have
bribed them to do as they wished; but she durst not discover her
riches, lest they should take them away by force.
The captain assigned to his guests a cabin of their own, and behaved
with much respect and attention, protecting them in all ways from the
rude insolence of the crew.
And thus, for three months they continued to voyage about--sometimes
touching at one island, sometimes at another, and scouring the seas,
after the fashion of corsairs in search of gain.
The captain, when the weather was tranquil, and his ship becalmed,
tried to entertain his guests with many a tale and history, and Maurice
did the same; but the beautiful mourners were in general more occupied
in thinking of their lost beloved ones, than in attending to either.
Nevertheless, it happened one day that they lent an attentive ear to
a story, related by the captain, which you will read in the following
chapter.
[Illustration]