Carlos, who has been taken prisoner with the girls, discovers that Mercedes, the buccaneer captain’s sister, is his old fiancee, and is now a widow; explanations ensue and a reconciliation takes place.  While debating how they shall advise Paquita of the truth, they overhear a conversation between Christopher and Paquita.  Paquita declares that if Christopher really loves her, he will come and woo her as an honorable man should.  Christopher is about to release the captives, when Mercedes suggests, that to ensure the safety of the buccaneers Carlos be detained as a hostage.  Carlos indorses the suggestion.  The young ladies are permitted to go ashore.

  THIRD ACT

While Fernando storms over the retention of Carlos, Paquita sadly broods over her love for Christopher.  As she soliloquizes at her window Christopher appears.  He cannot remain away from the object of his love.  A scene ensues between the two.  In the meantime Carlos and Mercedes have secretly stolen from the ship and been married by the village priest.  They appear while Paquita and Christopher are conversing. (Quartette.) Fernando hears the commotion. (Quintette.) Christopher is discovered and apprehended.  The buccaneers appear to rescue their long-absent captain.  Explanations.  Fernando informs the buccaneers that under the amnesty act of the king they are no longer outlaws.  Christopher’s estates await him.  Carlos and Mercedes appear.  Fernando gives Paquita to Christopher.

It will be perceived that the spirited action of this “argument,” as Field styled it, practically ends with the first act, a fault which the veriest neophyte in the art of libretto writing knows is fatal.  But the most interesting feature of this opera in embryo is the list of songs which Field had planned for it.  They were: 

  SONGS

  “Begum of Piura.” 
  “The Crazy Quilt.” 
  “My Life is One Continuous Lie.” 
  “By Day Upon the Billowy Sea.” 
  Lullaby—­“Do Not Wake the Baby.” 
  “The Good Old Way.” 
  Barcarolle—­“I’ve Come Across the Water.”

  TRIO

  “He Really Does Not Seem to Know.”

  DUETS

  “My Love Was Fair.” 
  “To the Sea, O Love!”
  “O Dearest Love, Through all the Years.” 
  “Into God’s Hands.”

  FEMALE CHORUS

  “Down the Forest Pathway.”

  MALE CHORUS

  “From the Farms.” 
  “We are a Band of Gallant Tars.”

  MIXED CHORUS

  “Hail, O Happy Nuptial Day!”
  “Ah!”
  “Where Turtle Doves are Cooing.” 
  “The Spanish Dance.” 
  “They’re Delightful.” 
  “Oh, Can Such Wonders Be?”
  “How Sweet to Fly.” 
  “He Really Must Be Ailing.” 
  “Adieu, Sweet Love.”

  QUARTETTE

  “The Old Love.” 
  “The Parent’s Voice.”

  QUINTETTE

  “Oh, What Were Life.”