The fellows sent down from the main chains to the boat brought the injured Captain up first.  This required the services of three men, his body hanging limp between them, his upturned face showing ghastly in the flaming of the torch thrust out over the rail.  To every appearance it was apparently a corpse they handled, except for their tenderness, and a single groan to which the white lips gave utterance, when one of the bearers slipped, wrenching the wounded body with a sharp pang of pain.  Once safely on deck, the three bore him across to the after cabin, in which a swinging lantern had been lighted, and was by then burning brightly, and disappeared down the steps.  My eyes followed every movement, as I forgot for the instant the boat and its occupants still tossing alongside on the waters below.  As I turned back, awakened by some cry, I saw that Estada had already swung himself up into the chains, while Anderson and Mendez were lifting the girl to her feet, and rather roughly urging her forward.  Her hands and limbs had been set free, but she swayed back and forth in the grasp of the two men, as though unable to support herself alone, her face upturned into the flare of light, as she gazed in terror at the black side of the bark towering above.  Her eyes reflected all the unutterable horror which for the moment dominated her mind, while her loosened hair, disarranged by struggle, only served to intensify the pallor of her face.  Yet in spite of this evident despair, there was still strength and defiance in the firm closing of her lips, and her efforts to stand alone, uncontaminated by the touch of the sailors’ hands.

“Hustle her along lively, boys,” shouted back Estada coarsely.  “If she won’t move, give her a shove.  Then tie her up again, and take the turn of a rope ’round her.  What do you think this is—­a queen’s reception?  Move lively, Senorita,” in mock sarcasm.

Her gaze settled on him, where he hung far out, grasping a backstay, watching the movements below, and her slender form straightened as by the acquisition of new strength.

“If these creatures will take their hands off me,” she said, using their tongue without a tremor in the clear voice.  “I can easily go up alone.  What is it you are so afraid of—­a woman?”

The expression of Estada’s face promised an outburst of profanity, but, instead of giving it utterance, he lifted his cap in a sudden pretense at gallantry.

“Your pardon, Senorita,” he said in a tone of humble mockery.  “If you have come to your senses at last, it is well.  No one can be happier than I. Leave her alone, men.  Now, my beauty, I am taking you at your own word—­a step, and then the protection of my hand.  We welcome you, as a guest aboard.”

A moment and she had attained the deck.  Where she stood I could no longer see her face, yet she remained there silent and motionless, rather stiffly erect as she faced him.  Frightened, and helpless as she was, yet her very posture seemed to express the detestation she felt for the man.  But Estada, apparently pleased with his performance thus far, chose to continue playing the fool.