g his gun at the same time. "Now, fire!"

The report of the two brass nine-pounders rang sharply out at the same
moment, making the schooner quiver to her keel, and severely testing the
construction of her cradle. A crash was heard, then a frightful chorus
of shrieks, yells, groans, and execrations; and as the smoke curled
heavily away, both boats were seen with their planking rent and
penetrated here and there, and their occupants tumbling over and over
each other in their anxiety to get at the oars--many of which had been
suffered to drop overboard--and withdraw as quickly as possible to a
somewhat safer distance.

A hearty cheer was raised by the party in possession of the shipyard.
Those on board the schooner reloaded their guns in all haste, and the
hammering down below went on with, if possible, still greater energy.

The boats were suffered to retire unmolested, and nothing further was
heard of them for over half an hour. Then Dale, who was still
maintaining a careful look-out, suddenly gave notice that they were
again approaching.

The two aftermost guns were accordingly once more very carefully pointed
and fired, Captain Staunton giving the word as before. But by some
mischance the muzzles were pointed a trifle too high, and both charges
flew harmlessly over the boats, tearing up the water a few yards astern
of them. The pirates, upon this unexpected piece of--to them--good
fortune, raised a frantic cheer of delight, and, bending at their oars
until they seemed about to snap them, dashed eagerly at the landing-
place.

There was no time to reload the guns, so, seizing his weapons and
calling upon all hands to follow him, the skipper hastily scrambled over
the schooner's bulwarks, and, making his way to the ground, rushed
forward to meet the enemy, who had by this time effected a landing.

The two opposing forces met within half a dozen yards of the water's
edge, and then ensued a most desperate and sanguinary struggle. The
pirates had by this time pretty nearly guessed at the audacious designs
of those to whom they were opposed. They had seen enough to know not
only that an escape was meditated, but that it was also proposed to
carry off the schooner--that beautiful craft which their own hands had
so largely assisted to construct, and in which they had confidently
expected to sail forth upon a career of unbounded plunder and licence,
in full reliance that her speed would insure to them complete imm