Such kind readers, is a brief description of the person and fortunes of our heroine, previous to the commencement of our narrative, and now presuming your generous permission as granted, we shall now proceed to extend the great chain of events connected with our singular and romantic history.

As the pirate Blackbeard, uttered in a commanding tone the words recorded at the close of our first chapter, he pointed with his finger towards the ship, and as the earl involuntarily turned his eyes in the same direction, he observed a small brig then about two miles off, making all sail towards the island, which caused him to say, in answer to the pirate’s words: 

’I have looked yonder as you directed me to do, yet I can see nothing but our own noble ship, and another vessel which appears to be a much smaller one.’

‘If you will have the goodness to look again,’ replied Blackbeard, somewhat satirically, ’you will see that the small vessel gains very fast upon the larger one.’

‘There seems to be nothing very strange or alarming about that,’ answered the earl.

’You may possibly, soon have occasion to entertain a very different opinion.’

‘How so?’ asked the earl.

’Because the small vessel appears to be a piratical brig, whose commander, I am well assured, will not pass a rich Indiaman without politely undertaking to inspect his inventory and overhaul his cargo,’ replied the pirate.

‘I am rather inclined to think,’ answered the earl, ’that he will first be favored through the medium of our guns with an opportunity to cultivate an extensive acquaintance with the sharks and other monsters of the deep.  Now, sir,’ he continued, turning to the pirate, ’we will with your leave, get as quickly as possible on board of our own ship.’

‘Oh, certainly,’ replied Blackbeard, ’only, as it appears to me quite probable, that these two young ladies will be exposed to great danger in getting on board of your noble ship, I shall claim the privilege of keeping them here under my protection until I learn the result of the engagement, which I am sure the piratical commander of the brig is about to venture upon.’

As the pirate calmly concluded his strange speech, sweet Ellen Armstrong sank fainting into the arms of Arthur Huntington; and Mary Hamilton, with a blanched cheek, shrank closer to her uncle’s side, as he thus indignantly addressed the pirate: 

’Villain, I command you to leave the presence of these ladies, instantly.’

‘Until their safety is duly cared for, I shall not stir from this spot,’ coolly replied the pirate.

‘Take your fair burthen to the boat, Arthur,’ exclaimed the earl, impatiently, ‘and I will follow you.’

‘You may go, but the ladies will remain,’ said the pirate decidedly, who at the same time gave a loud peculiar whistle, and the next moment the earl found himself and his companions surrounded by a band of ferocious desperadoes, who, with brandished weapons, stood ready to execute the commands of their leader.