Page:Interesting stories.pdf/13

13 Nothing eise, my brave lads, but what is agreeable to yourselves. I see you have made quick work here. You are men after my own mind, and you will not repent of it, if you will listen quietly to me only for a few moments." "Speak!" exclaimed the whole crew : "Speak!" "But be brief!" vociferated the most terrible of them; for we shall soon send you after your people." " I much doubt whether you will, after you have heard what I am going to say. I am maried, indeed, to the wealthiest nobleman in the country: but the wiſe of the meanest beggar cannot be more miserable than myself, as my tyrant is the meanest and most jealous wretch on earth. I hate him more bitterly than words can express, and have long been anxious to find an opportunity of breaking my fetters, and paying my tyrant in his own coin. I should have eloped long ago, had I been able to effect my escape. All my servants are his spies, and that fellow yonder, whose skull so bravely handled, was the worst of all. My tormentor even compels me to sleep alone -I am but twenty-two years old, and may at least flatter myself of not being totally destitute of personal charms : should any one of you be willing to take me with him, I should not hesitate a moment to follow him, no matter whether his residence be in a cavern or in a village alehouse. Nor will you repent of having spared my life. You are in a castle amply stored with treasures; but it is impossible you can be acquainted with every secret recess in it. I will discover them to you, and you may treat me as you have treated my woman, if this discovery don't make you six thousand dollars richer,"