nquiries
were made as to what had occurred. "Attacked by a pirate--beaten
off--_Champion_ gone in chase," was the only answer Owen had time to
give.

"No thanks to those who, by clapping on more sail, might have come to
our aid, but did not," he could not help remarking to Mr Ferris.

The first thing to be done was to attend to the wounded, who were
carried to their berths, where Mr Ferris offered to assist in binding
up their hurts and watching them; the next was to heave the dead
overboard. This sad office was quickly performed, as there was no time
for even the pretence of a service; the dead would not be the worse for
going without it, and the attention of the living was too much occupied
to listen to a word spoken. Before committing the bodies of the pirates
to the deep, however, they were examined by the light of a lantern, to
be sure that no spark of life existed in them, and to ascertain to what
country they belonged. Two were men of colour, and the others white
men, rough, savage-looking fellows; but it was difficult to decide as to
their nationality.

"It matters little what they were," said the second mate, who was
attending to that duty; "they were pirates, and have escaped the rope
they deserved--of that there's no doubt. Heave them overboard."

Not a moment was to be lost in repairing damages. All hands now set to
work to fish the masts and spars, and repair and splice the standing and
running rigging. Scarcely had they commenced than day broke, and as the
light increased the _Champion_ could be seen in chase of their late
opponent, who was running under all sail to the north-west.

"That fellow is well acquainted with these seas, or he wouldn't be
steering as he now is. Reefs and rocks abound in that direction, but he
knows his way among them, and intends, if he can, to lead his pursuer
into a scrape," observed Owen.

"Our master is too wide awake to be so caught," answered Gerald, "and
the chances are that the pirate escapes. She must be a fast craft; for
see, she continues well ahead of our ship, if she isn't gaining on her."

A look-out was now kept for the two islands which are found on either
side of the Windward Passage--that known as Long Island being to the
west, Crooked Island to the east, both thickly surrounded with rocks and
reefs, so that it is necessary to avoid hugging the shores of either one
or the other. Crooked Island was first sighted, on the larboard hand.
It being s