| Español | English |
| Una tarde el vigía cruzó la calzada para comprar algunas provisiones, dejando sola á su hijita en la torre del faro. | One afternoon the lookout crossed the road to buy some provisions, leaving his little daughter alone in the lighthouse tower. |
| Mientras el padre apresuraba el paso hacia el pueblo vecino, tres hombres de mala traza, ocultos detrás de unas rocas, espiaban sus movimientos. | While the father quickened his step towards the neighboring town, three rough-looking men, hidden behind some rocks, watched his movements. |
| Eran raqueros, gente que vive del saqueo de los buques que naufragan en las costas. Sabiendo ellos que los buques que habían de pasar aquella noche, se estrellarían contra los arrecifes si el fanal no les advertía el riesgo, y que entonces tendrían ellos una buenas ganancias, se propusieron apoderarse del vigía. | They were wreckers or beachcombers, people who live by looting ships that are wrecked on the coasts. Knowing that the ships that were to pass that night would crash into the reefs if the beacon did not warn them of the risk, and that then they would have rich pickings, they planned to seize the lighthouse keeper. |
| Llegado que hubo éste á la costa, salieron los raqueros de su escondrijo y le derribaron al suelo; le ataron de pies y manos, y le dejaron bajo la custodia de uno de ellos mientras los demás se dirigían á la playa. | When he arrived at the coast, the beachcombers came out of their hiding place and threw him to the ground; They bound his hands and feet, and left him in the custody of one of them while the others went to the beach. |
| Carmencita entretanto esperaba impaciente la vuelta de su padre. | Carmencita meanwhile waited impatiently for her father's return. |
| La noche se acercaba, y había barruntos de tempestad, pues ya se veían las olas estrellarse contra las rocas y se oía el viento bramar alrededor de la torre. | Night was approaching, and there were hints of a storm, as the waves could already be seen crashing against the rocks and the wind could be heard howling around the tower. |
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