yet--Yes, they
have!" he cried. "The men are hurrying up on our vessel from below,
but--"

"But what, my boy?"

"I--I don't quite know, uncle. Something isn't right. Oh, Morny, what
have I said?"

As the boy spoke he let the glass drop to the full length of his arm,
and in all probability it would have fallen to the bottom of the boat
had not Joe Cross caught it in his hand.

"May I look, sir?" he said sharply, and without waiting for consent, he
raised it to his eyes and quickly scanned all three of the schooners in
turn.

"It's no use beating about, gentlemen," he said sharply. "Something is
wrong, for all three decks are swarming now with men like bees--wasps, I
ought to say," he muttered, as he concentrated his gaze upon the _Maid
of Salcombe_. "Our vessel, doctor, is in the hands of pirates, or
slavers, and they are making ready the long gun. Now, my lads, look
alive. Every man buckle on his arms and then load."

The oars were allowed to swing from the tholes, and the boat was left to
glide slowly downwards, while in their smart orderly way her crew
prepared for action.

"You will load too, gentlemen--with ball. Now, doctor, will you take
command and lead us?"

"What to do?" asked the doctor.

"Why, to take our schooner again, sir. She's in the hands of an enemy."

"But is it possible that we can do this, Cross?" cried the doctor.

"I don't know, sir, for she's got a lot of men on board; but we have got
to try."

"Stop. Let me think," said the doctor. "I am no man of war, and this
is not in my way. If any unfortunate fellow were wounded I could do my
best. But look here, my lads; you are nearly all men-of-war's men, and
you, Morny, you are a naval officer. Seeing the odds before us, what is
our duty here?"

"To fight," cried the young man passionately, through his clenched
teeth.

"Ay, ay, sir!" came heartily from the men; and as the doctor turned his
eyes inquiringly upon Rodd, who was fiercely ramming the second bullet
upon the small shot already in the two barrels of his gun, he saw a look
in the lad's face that he had never seen there before, and in spite of
the pain of the situation, he felt a thrill of satisfaction running
through his breast at the thought that, young as his nephew was, he was
English to the core.

"Yes," said the doctor, "we must fight; but with such odds against us we
must bring cunning to bear."

"Ay, ay, sir! That's right," cried Cross. "But perhaps,