n her."

"I should think, captain, that if we were to get up some of those bales
of cloth, and fasten ropes to them, we might lower them over the side
and so break the shock."

"It is worth trying, anyhow," the captain said.

And a score of the sailors were at once sent down to fetch up the
bales. Ropes were fastened round these, and they were laid along by the
bulwarks in readiness for being lowered instantly. Ten bales were
placed on each side, and three men told off to each bale.

By this time they were halfway to the mouth of the harbour, and the
preparations were completed just in time, for the small boats suddenly
drew aside, and two of the largest of the pirates' craft, each rowed by
twenty-four oars, dashed at her, one on each side. The captain shouted
the order, and the men all sprang to their feet. It was seen at once
that the vessels would both strike about midships. Three bales on
either side were raised to the bulwarks, and lowered down with the
ropes until close to the water's edge and closely touching each other.
Francis sprang on to the bulwark and superintended the operations on
one side, while the captain did the same on the other.

"A few feet more astern, lads. That is right. Now, keep the bales
touching. You are just in the line."

An instant later the Bonito reeled from the shock of two tremendous
blows. The bows of the pirates were stove in, but the thick bales
enabled the Bonito to withstand the shock, although her sides creaked,
the seams started, and the water flowed in freely. But of this the crew
thought little. They were occupied in hurling darts, arrows, and
combustibles into the pirates as these backed off, in an already
sinking condition.

"Now I think we can go," the captain said, and ordered the whole of the
oars to be manned.

They were speedily got out, and the Bonito made her way out through the
mouth of the harbour. The pirates, in their lighter boats, rowed round
and round her, shooting clouds of arrows, but not venturing to come to
close quarters, after the fate which had befallen the four largest
vessels of their fleet.

As soon as they were clear of the islet the sails were hoisted. The
wind had fallen much during the night, and had worked round to the
east, and under sails and oars the Bonito left the island, none of the
pirates venturing to follow in pursuit. The oars were soon laid in, and
the men, with mallets and chisels, set to work to caulk the seams
through w