found their graves, sooner than might otherwise have been, in consequence of the misery of hope long deferred, or the toil, beyond capacity, induced by the desire to raise the needful ransom of the loved ones rent from them by these Algerine corsairs. "The heart knoweth its own bitterness." None but themselves could know or tell the awful feelings, or the still more dreadful want of feeling, that caused these wretched ones to look with glazed eyes of total indifference on the wonderful scenes that were enacted around them that day.
Among the released captives, of course, were our friends of the Rimini family.
One of these was seen going about the decks, glancing earnestly and quickly into faces, as if in search of some one.
It was Mariano seeking for Angela! He was closely followed by Ted Flaggan and Lucien.
"Depind on it, they've kep' her back," said Ted.
"I fear they have," said Lucien.
Mariano said nothing, but went straight to the officer in charge of the deck, and demanded a body of men to go ashore and recover the Sicilian captives.
The case was brought before the chief, who at once granted Mariano's request, and sent a party on shore.
Arrived at the palace they made a formal demand that the sisters and the child should be delivered up.
At first Omar pretended ignorance on the point.
