rection from whence the wind
was coming, to judge whether it was likely to be a strong or a light
breeze.

"Set the royals, Radburn. We need not be afraid of it."

The order was quickly obeyed. Scarcely were the sails sheeted home than
they blew gently out. The topgallant-sails did the same; the topsails
soon filled. The brig gathering way steered a little to the northward
so as to intercept the prahus.

We were thankful for the breeze, but we would rather have avoided a
struggle.

"You'll have the studding-sails set, sir?" said Uncle Jack, scarcely
waiting for an answer before he gave the order, and sprang forward to
assist in carrying it out.

We soon had the studding-sails below and aloft, still the brig did not
move along as rapidly as we wished. By this time the pirates might have
seen us, as the sun was shining brightly on our royals and
topgallant-sails, though we could not make them out except from aloft.

We were not long in manufacturing a Dutch pennant, which was run up to
the main-royal mast-head. It was doubtful, however, whether it would be
seen, or, if seen, have the effect we hoped for. The pirates, observing
how light the wind was, would know that they could pull away beyond our
reach.

Again and again Uncle Jack went aloft, until we got near enough to
distinguish not only the ship on the reef but the prahus from the deck,
which were approaching fearfully near her; the guns were loaded and the
small arms got ready for immediate use. Most of the men were ready
enough for a fight, if a fight was to take place, but the second mate
looked downcast as usual, and I heard him muttering--

"We have enough to do to look after ourselves, without fighting for
other people."

This was said for the first mate to hear, but Uncle Jack turned away
without making any observation.

The prahus, although we must have been seen, still continued their
course. Sometimes the hope came across me that they might not be
intending to attack the ship ashore; but it was scarcely to be thought
that they were going to render her assistance. As we examined them
through our glasses, we could see that they were large war prahus with
numerous crews. The breeze filled our sails, but continued light as at
first, and we had done all that was possible to make the brig move
through the water.

Two prahus, apparently the fastest, were leading, and were already
scarcely more than two miles off, while we were at a much g