ded our speed
to a quite perceptible extent. Summoning Fonseca and Jose to my
assistance, therefore, and showing Lotta how to manipulate the helm in
such a manner as to keep the brig going through the water, we hauled-up
first one gig and then the other, and succeeded in hoisting them to the
davits. The other two we also hauled alongside, and, dropping a couple
of cold shot through their bottoms cast them adrift.

By the time that all this was done we had drawn well over toward the
southern shore of the bay, and the moment had arrived for us to heave in
stays. I was just a little anxious as to this manoeuvre, having my
doubts as to whether the brig would stay under such short canvas as that
which she now had set; but upon putting the helm down all my
apprehensions were at once set at rest, for she came round like a top.
But I was fully confirmed in my conviction that it would be unwise to
attempt to get any more canvas on the vessel, for although the trysail
worked itself the two stay-sails and the jib proved to be quite as much
as we three men could well manage.

Having made a long "leg" across the bay, we now had to make a short one;
and no sooner were we round than I took another look at Juan and his
party through the telescope, just to see how they were getting on. To
my amazement they appeared to have already executed some sort of repair
of the boat that they had been working upon, for as I brought the glass
to bear upon them I saw that they had turned her over and were carrying
her down to the water's edge, with the evident intention of launching
her; and while I stood watching they actually got her afloat. Then,
while one man got into her and immediately started baling, the remaining
five hurried off to the wharf, and, disappearing into one of the sheds,
presently reappeared, carrying oars, boat-hook, rudder, bottom boards,
stretchers, and other matters of boats' furniture. These they carried
down to where the boat was lying, and having placed them in position,
jumped in and pushed off.

"By Jove, Fonseca, they are after us already!" I exclaimed. "Now if
they have managed to make a good repair of that boat they will overhaul
us before we can get clear of the bay. And that will mean a fight, for
I certainly do not mean to give in if I can help it; and if we can
muster half a dozen muskets and a few rounds of ammunition we ought to
be able to keep those fellows from coming alongside, we having the
advan