so far as
the men knew. Their rendezvous was at a large native town on the
mainland, at the mouth of a river three days' sail distant.

The news of the Indiaman being laid up, refitting at the island, was
brought by the native craft they had seen on the day after their
arrival; and upon its being known, the natives had insisted in joining
in the attack. The pirate captain, whose interest it was to keep well
with them, could not refuse to allow them to join, although he would
gladly have dispensed with their aid, believing his own force to be
far more than sufficient to capture the vessel, which he supposed to
be lying an easy prize at his hands.

Another ten days were spent in getting the cargo and guns on board the
Lizzie Anderson, and in fitting out both ships for sea. Then, Mr.
James and a portion of the crew being placed on board the prize, they
sailed together for India. The Dover Castle proved to be much the
faster sailer, but Captain Thompson ordered her to reduce sail, and to
keep about a mile in his wake, as she could at any time close up when
necessary; and the two, together, would be able to oppose a determined
front, even to a French frigate, should they meet with one on their
way.

The voyage passed without incident save that, when rounding the
southern point of Ceylon, a sudden squall from the land struck them.
The vessel heeled over suddenly, and a young soldier, who was sitting
on the bulwarks to leeward, was jerked backwards and fell into the
water.

Charlie Marryat was on the quarterdeck, leaning against the rail,
watching a shoal of flying fish passing at a short distance. In the
noise and confusion, caused by the sudden squall, the creaking of
cordage, the flapping of sails, and the shouts of the officer to let
go the sheets, the fall of the soldier was unnoticed; and Charlie was
startled by perceiving, in the water below him, the figure of a
struggling man.

He saw, at once, that he was unable to swim. Without an instant's
hesitation Charlie threw off his coat, and kicked off his shoes, and
with a loud shout of "Man overboard!" sprang from the taffrail and,
with a few vigorous strokes, was alongside the drowning man. He seized
him by the collar, and held him at a distance.

"Now," he said, "don't struggle, else I'll let you go. Keep quiet, and
I can hold you up till we're picked up."

In spite of the injunction, the man strove to grasp him; but Charlie
at once let go his hold, and swam a p