"But what can she forward to Oliver?"

"Why, she was starch, and--you comprehend me--I was obliged to submit to

a species of marriage ceremony; and there was a certificate and some

letters. In short, Captain, knowing his highness's strictness--knowing

his wish to conciliate this Ben Israel, and feeling the expediency of my

immediate marriage--I tell you it would be certain destruction to suffer

her to appear now."

"Then I must ship her off, so that she may never return," observed the

Buccaneer, with a fierce knitting of his brows.

"Dalton, you know not what a devil she is: were she gentle, or a fond

idiot, she could be managed; but she has the spirit, the foresight of a

thousand women. Besides, I swore, when her hand was lifted against my

life, that I would be revenged, and I never yet swore in vain."

Dalton looked upon Burrell's really handsome features, contracted and

withered by the pestilence of a demoniac spirit, and loathed him from

his very soul.

"I can't, Sir Willmott, I can't; flesh and blood must rise against the

destruction of a loving woman. I won't, so help me God! and that's

enough."

"Very well--very well--but I'll have blood for blood, breach for breach,

master; the Ironsides, Cromwell's tender pets, would have nice picking

here. The Protector has already a scent of your whereabouts; he is one

who neither slumbers nor sleeps. Let the bold Buccaneer look to it, and

I'll straight seek some less honest man to do my bidding."

"Heave over such jargon," replied Dalton, upon whom Burrell's threats

seemed to have made no impression. "Suppose you did betray me, how many

days' purchase would your life be worth? Think ye there are no true

hearts and brave, who would sacrifice their own lives to avenge the loss

of mine? Avast, Master of Burrell! you are old enough to know better."

"And you ought to know better than to sail against the wind. Why, man,

the little Jewess is freighted with jewels; a very queen of diamonds.

And I care not for them: you may keep them all--so----" The villain's

lip faltered; he feared to speak of the deed his heart had planned.

Dalton made no reply, but covered his face with his hand, leaning his

elbow on the table. Burrell took advantage of his silence to urge the

riches of the rabbi's daughter, the presents he himself would give, and

wound up the discourse with protests loud and earnest of everlasting

gratitude. Dalton let him speak on, but still maintained an inflexible

silence.




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