chief mate, "the Rock-scorpions are right.
They have pounced upon the derelict like wolves. I almost wish I was
there to see the effect when they realize they have been fooled, and
they find that that craft is loaded with stones. It was just done in
the nick of time; they might have compelled us to heave to."

"I would never have done that," said the captain. "I knew they would
not risk being defeated in their object when they saw so excellent a
prize thrown at them."

"They are setting the sail," observed the officer.

"Yes," responded the captain. "The gentlemen will find one of their
craft anchored in Gibraltar Bay to-morrow morning, and may be the
whole three. I do not like the look of it; both the wind and sea are
making. I hope we may be able to reach to the westward of Trafalgar
Bay before it gets worse."

Instructions were given to have the wounded seaman brought to the
saloon, and it was found that he was not seriously injured. After the
wound was dressed, orders were given to set the regular watch. Little
progress was made during the night, owing to the heavy west wind. By
six the following morning she was just a little west of Cape Spartel,
and the wind had increased to a heavy gale. The engines had to be
slowed down in order to save the two little vessels from being dragged
under water; indeed, as it was, their hulls were sometimes buried. The
captain saw that he was in for a tragedy if the craft were kept in
tow. He did not like to slip them, as it meant certain capture, and
while he was thinking out the wisest and best course to pursue, the
problem was solved by the people aboard the feluccas letting go the
tow-line, and the last that was seen of them was that they were
heading towards the Spanish coast with small storm sails set.

Captain S----'s vessel had a severe passage, and on arrival in
Falmouth he went to an hotel. In the course of the evening he was
relating the incidents of the voyage, as was the custom with orthodox
captains on arrival in port, and of course he included his experiences
with the Rock-scorpions and their feluccas. Before he had completed
the tale, the proprietor interposed by reading as follows from a
shipping paper:--

"Information was conveyed to the Spanish Customs Authority that
a British steamer had run out of Gibraltar Bay with three
feluccas laden with manufactured tobacco destined for Cadiz. She
was to be intercepted at Tarifa by the coastguards, an