It is very many years since any Moorish craft have been bold enough to commit acts of piracy on this side of Sicily.

However, we must hope that we shall not fall in with her, and if we see anything answering to her description we will give it a wide berth.

Besides, it is hardly likely they would interfere with so small a craft as ours, for they would be sure we should be carrying no cargo of any great value." "Twenty Christian slaves would fetch money among the Moors," the captain said.

"Let us hope we shall see nothing of them; for we should have no chance of resistance against such a craft, and she would go two feet to our one." The next morning Francis was aroused by a hurried summons from the captain.

Half awake, and wondering what could be the cause of the call, for the boat lay motionless on the water, he hurried out from the little cabin.