as applied, and both
were fired by the first mate in quick succession; but no visible effect
was produced on the enemy's spars.

"Run them in, my lads, and load again," cried Captain Tracy. "Let me
see what I can do; if we can wing the pirate, we shall be saved further
trouble." Running his eye along one of the guns, he fired; Captain
O'Brien at the same time discharging the other. Looking through his
telescope, Captain Tracy uttered an exclamation of impatience as he
could discover no damage caused by the shot on the pirate's rigging.
The broad spread of white canvas remained extended as before to the
yards. "We must try again and again till we succeed," he exclaimed;
"maybe we shall have better luck next time." While the guns were being
run in and loaded, he turned his telescope towards the island, which was
now broad on the starboard beam. "Why, as I live, there is a British
ensign flying above what looks very like a fort in the centre of the
island!" he exclaimed. "If there is anchorage under it, we can run in
and set the pirate at defiance. He does not appear to have discovered
the fort, or he would not venture so near it."

Captain O'Brien took the glass, and minutely examined the coast. "I see
no opening between the reefs through which we could get up anywhere near
the fort," he observed. "Were we to attempt to run in, we should very
probably get the ship on the rocks, and be far worse off than we are
likely to be if we stand on and trust to our guns to beat off the
piccaroon. Though the sea is so smooth here, the surf is breaking
heavily on the reefs and shore. If you'll take my advice, you'll not
make the attempt. There must be Englishmen on the island, though how
they came there is more than I can say, but I am very sure that, on
seeing a British ship chased by a pirate, they would come off to our
assistance if they could launch their boats through the surf."

Captain Tracy acknowledged that his friend was right. To stand in
closer to the reefs in order to look for an opening through them would
be, should one not be found, to allow the pirate to come up and attack
them with rocks close aboard.

The two ships ran on for some distance, the pirate gaining but slightly,
if at all, on the chase. All the time a rapid fire was kept up from the
two guns run through the stern-ports of the _Research_, the pirate
almost as frequently discharging her bow-chasers. Her shot as she drew
close began to tel