rters, and preparations were made to give her a warm
reception. Mrs Podgers and Kitty were sent down into the cockpit,
where they might be out of harm's way. It was by this time nearly dark,
but still the stranger could be seen gliding towards us through the
thickening gloom. Dick took me up and carried me to them, in spite of
my entreaties to be allowed to see the fun.

"It will be no fun, Charley, if yonder scoundrels do as they intend, and
try to take the ship," he remarked. "At all events, there will be some
desperate fighting, and a shot may carry your head off, my boy--so below
you must go, whether you like it or not."

Kitty took my hand and drew me towards her as soon as I appeared,
thankful that I was not to be exposed to danger.

"I should think the little brat might be made useful, sitting on an
ammunition tub," exclaimed Mrs Podgers. "Why should he be more petted
than the other boys?"

"No, no!" cried Kitty, holding me fast. "He is younger than they are,
and it would be cruel to let him run the risk of being hurt."

We waited for some time, no one speaking; for Mrs Podgers was too much
frightened, and Kitty too anxious, to do so. At length there came the
dull sound of a gun fired from the other vessel, followed by louder,
clearer reports of several discharged by the _Dolphin_. The enemy
replied with a still greater number, and several broadsides were soon
afterwards rapidly exchanged between the combatants. The firing now
ceased. We waited almost breathless to hear it begin again.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

ATTACK ON THE SPANISH HIDALGO.

As no wounded men had been brought below, we trusted that the _Dolphin_
was having the best of it. At last I begged Kitty to let me go on deck
and ascertain how matters were going on.

"No, no, Charley," she answered. "They may again begin firing;" but I
saw that she was very anxious herself to learn the state of affairs.

"I will be back again in a minute," I said, and was just escaping from
her, when once more the thundering sound of big guns, with the rattle of
musketry, broke the silence, and she caught me and held me fast.

The firing went on with redoubled vigour, and cries and shouts reached
our ears. The alarm of Mrs Podgers increased.

"O dear, O dear!" she cried out, wringing her hands. "If Podgers was to
be hit, what would become of me?"

Once more there was a cessation of the firing.

"Do let me run up, Kitty," I said. "Some of those we