n now follow us; but I saw no indication of the vessel getting
under weigh; still, daring ruffian as he appeared to be, he might be
tempted to try and possess himself of the rich freight we carried. I
did not mention the idea which had occurred to me to Harry, as there
would be no use in doing so, for we were carrying all the sail we could
set on the schooner, but our progress was very slow, and there was a
possibility of our being becalmed again during the night. As we could
see the brigantine, we also must still be visible from her mast-head,
and Myers was probably keeping a watch on our movements. Should we be
becalmed before sundown, it was possible that he might make another
attempt in his boats to capture us, hoping to catch us off our guard.

"He shall not do that, at all events," I thought to myself. "I will not
say anything to Harry unless we are becalmed, and then I will tell him
the idea which has occurred to me." Our progress was so slow that I
fancied there must be a current setting against us, but of this I was
uncertain. The currents which set in various directions between the
islands of the Pacific are among the dangers which voyagers in those
seas have to encounter. I asked Tom what he thought about the matter.

"There may be a current," he said, "but if there is one it is not of
much strength. You see we are moving but slowly through the water.
We'll heave the log presently, and you'll find that we are not going
more than two knots, if as much as that."

Tom was right; with his practised eye he could always tell in smooth
water how fast the vessel was moving. We now went slower and slower,
till at length the canvas hung down from the yards emptied of wind, and
we had no longer steerage way on the vessel. Evening was drawing on,
and we might expect to remain becalmed all night. We had, however, we
supposed, plenty of sea room, and had no apprehension of being drifted
on any unseen coral reef; I thought, however, that it was time to tell
Harry of my apprehensions.

"The same thing occurred to me," he answered. "However, I do not really
suppose that the fellow Myers, ruffian as he is, will make the attempt
after having found us before so wide-awake. Had we been unarmed the
case would have been different, as he would have been glad enough to
possess himself of our cargo, if he could have done so without the
certainty of getting some hard blows. However, we will be on the watch
as before, a