If we bide our time, we may see some chance of
escape. You had better lay down your arms in a pile, here. Then we
will sit down quietly, and await their coming on board. They will be
here in a minute, now."

Scarcely had the seven passengers taken their seats in a group, on the
poop, when the freebooters ranged alongside, and swarmed over the
sides onto the deck. Beyond bestowing a few kicks upon the crew, they
paid no attention whatever to them; but tore off the hatches, and at
once proceeded to investigate the contents of the hold. The greater
portion of this consisted of native grains, but there were several
bales of merchandise, consigned by traders at Calicut for Ceylon. The
cargo was, in fact, rather more valuable than that generally found in
a native coaster, and the pirates were satisfied.

The leader of the party, leaving to his followers the task of
examining the hold, walked towards the group on the poop. They rose at
his approach.

"Who are you?" the Mahratta asked.

"I am an officer in the English Company's service," Charlie said, "as
are these five natives. The other Englishman is a soldier, under my
orders."

"Good," the Mahratta said, emphatically. "Tulagi Angria will be glad
to have you. When your people capture any of our men, which is not
often, they hang them. Tulagi is glad to have people he can hang,
too."

After being stripped of any small valuables on their persons, the
captives were taken on board one of the pirate boats. A score of the
Mahrattas remained in charge of the trader. Her head was turned north,
and, accompanied by the four Mahratta boats, she proceeded up the
coast again. Another trader was captured on the way, but two others
evaded the pirates, by running into the port of Calicut.

The trader was a slow sailer, and they were eight days before they
approached Gheriah. Early in the morning a heavy cannonade was heard
in the distance, causing the greatest excitement among the Mahrattas.
Every sail was hoisted, the sweeps got out and, leaving the trader to
jog along in their rear, the four light craft made their way rapidly
along the coast. The firing became heavier and heavier, and as it
became light, three large ships could be seen, about two miles ahead,
surrounded by a host of smaller craft.

"That's a big fight, Mr. Charles," Tim exclaimed. "It reminds me of
three big bulls in a meadow, attacked by a host of little curs."

"It does, Tim; but the curs can bite. What a f