‘What strange apparition is this,’ exclaimed the earl involuntarily, as this singular personage stood erect before him.

‘I am no apparition, sir,’ exclaimed the stranger, in a voice so finely modulated, that it might have been easily taken for a woman’s, ’but a substantial specimen of vigorous life, who kindly bids you welcome to the pirates’ palace.’

‘And, who, then are you?’ exclaimed the undaunted Earl, altering his voice to a deep, rough tone.  The stranger smiled sardonically upon the group before him as he answered: 

‘I am Blackbeard, the far-famed Pirate of the Roanoke!’

Upon hearing these dread words, sweet Ellen Armstrong was obliged to lean tremblingly for support, upon the arm of Arthur Huntington, whilst the stout hearted Earl again addressed the stranger as follows: 

’If you are indeed the person whom you have represented yourself to be, learn that I have often heard of your murderous exploits before, and I now call upon you in the name of England’s King, to surrender yourself immediately to me, as my prisoner.’

After giving utterance to a loud derisive laugh, whose echo as it reverberated amongst the rocky cliffs, sounded like the fitful mirth of numerous invisible demons, the pirate thus answered the bold summons of the earl.

’You talk boldly for one whose brains I might instantly scatter to the four winds of heaven.  Know you not that you and your companions are in my power?’

‘I know,’ replied the earl, ’that I and my companions by making an easy signal, can soon be supported by an hundred stout hearts from yonder ship, whose—­’

‘Ha, sayst thou so,’ interrupted the stranger, ’I think that they will soon have other business upon their hands.  Look yonder.’

CHAPTER II.

Description of Characters.  Sweet Ellen Armstrong.  Sudden appearance of the Piratical Brig.  The Earl’s Request.  Blackbeard’s Decision.  The Desperadoes.  The decision is enforced.  Perilous situation of Mary Hamilton and Ellen.

In order to carry forward the plan of our story in a consistent and intelligible manner, it becomes necessary for us, here, to briefly explain some important particulars relating to the history of the Earl of Derwentwater and his companions, previous to their landing upon the remote Island of Trinidad, as related in the course of our first chapter.

The intelligent reader of history, will undoubtedly recollect, that the year 1715, (two years before the time chosen for the commencement of our romance,) was rendered famous by the important insurrection which then took place throughout England and Scotland, in favor of the Chevalier de St. George, or James the Third, a proud and haughty scion of the Roman Catholic house of Stuart.  This singular and renowned rebellion, although premature in its beginning, and short in