them behind the bulwarks, but we might
have startled the beggars at the guns. Never mind; we have saved our
gunpowder. A man must miss sometimes, and this has been a bad 'un.
Next time, though, my lads, we must make it a hit."

The sailor ceased speaking, for his eyes had suddenly lighted upon
Morny's face, and, as he afterwards said to Rodd, "Blest, sir, it sent a
regular chill through me, for in all the hooroar of that job I forgot
all about his father and our old man. But never say die, sir. They may
have got away in one of the boats and be coasting along out to sea."

CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN.

FIREWORKS.

The boat was well run up out of reach and sight of the enemy, a spot
being selected where by a little manoeuvring beneath the shade of an
overhanging tree a few boughs could be pressed aside and a watch kept
upon the movements of those on board the schooners, in case of their
boats coming in pursuit, or, what was quite probable, one or other of
the vessels heaving anchor and coming up with the tide.

But the time wore on without any sign being made, and as far as could be
made out through the glass, the Spaniards seemed to be quite content
with beating off the attack, and from their movements they had
apparently come to the conclusion that they had seen the last of the
occupants of the boat.

But they did not know the temper of those on board, nor that a quiet
little council of war had been going on, till, feeling the necessity for
the men being properly prepared ready for any fresh attempt, the doctor
suggested that a substantial meal should be made; and this was partaken
of with a far better appetite than could have been expected. More than
one plan had been suggested regarding the next proceedings. One was
that they should steal down the river under cover of the darkness and go
in search of their friends; another, that an attempt should be made,
when the tide was flowing most swiftly, to cut the cables, in the hope
that the vessels might drift ashore; but Joe Cross disposed of this
directly as not likely to be of any permanent advantage, and declared
that there was only one thing to be done, and that was, to follow up
with another bold attempt to board.

"You see, gentlemen," he said, "we never had a chance to get within
touch of the Spanish mongrels. I don't want to brag, but with a fair
start there aren't one of our chaps here as wouldn't take a good grip of
his cutlass and go for any three of t