noon
As soon as the culprits had been secured , the attention of the troops was directed to putting out the flames , but their attempts were ineffectual ; the mansion was burned to the bare walls , and but little of the furniture saved ; indeed , the major part of it had been destroyed in the attack made by Don Silvio and his adherents . Leaving directions with Pedro and his people , that the property collected by the miscreants should be restored to the owners , Don Rebiera ordered the horses , and with the whole party put himself under the protection of the troops , who , as soon as they had been refreshed , and taken some repose , bent their way back to Palermo with the galley-slaves , bound and linked together in a long double row . They halted when they had gone half-way , and remained for the night . The next day , at noon , Don Rebiera and his family were once more in their palazzo , and our two midshipmen and Mesty took their leave , and repaired on board to make themselves a little less like chimney-sweepers . Captain Wilson was not out of the ship . Jack made his report , and then went down below , very much pleased at what had passed , especially as he would have another long yarn for the Governor on his return to Malta . The _ Aurora _ continued three weeks at Palermo , during which the most active search had been made for the remainder of the galley-slaves , and some few had been captured , but still Don Silvio , and a considerable number , were at large ; and it was said that they had returned to the fastnesses in the mountains .