the man at the wheel.

"No, sir," was the reply; "she's `gripin'' awful; it takes a half-turn
of the wheel to keep her out of the wind."

"Then we'll take in the gaff-topsail and mizzen-topmast staysail as
well," said George. "All that weather-helm must make at least half a
knot difference in her sailing."

Sail was accordingly shortened, the result proving the justice of
Captain Leicester's surmise, for there was no perceptible diminution in
the speed of the barque; on the contrary, in another half-hour both the
skipper and his second mate were convinced that the _Aurora_ was
gradually creeping away from her pursuer.

The spread of canvas was then further reduced by the hauling down of the
main-topgallant-staysail, and the furling of the fore-topgallant-sail;
and finally the flying-jib and main-topgallant-sail were stowed, after
which the two craft appeared to maintain, as nearly as possible, an
equal speed all through the remainder of the night.

The next morning dawned with a coppery-red tint in the eastern sky, and
a streaky look in the clouds, which was a presage of a windy day. The
schooner was about six miles distant, bearing three points on the
barque's lee quarter. Her royal, topgallant-sail, and flying-jib were
stowed; but by the way in which she was lying over to the breeze, and
the dense showers of spray which were incessantly flying in over her
weather bow, it was evident that she was still carrying all the canvas
she could stagger under.

"Now," said George to the first mate, when the latter came on deck to
take charge at eight bells, "I think we have that fellow in our power,
and can do pretty nearly what we like with him. In this breeze and with
this sea we can outsail him; and with all that water pouring in upon his
forecastle it will be difficult for him to work his long-gun to
advantage, which I believe, unlike ourselves, he has fixed there on a
pivot; so I propose to let him creep up within gun-shot astern of us,
and fight him there, where all the advantage will be on our side."

Accordingly, as soon as the crew had taken their breakfast, Captain
Leicester ordered the jib and fore-topmast staysail-sheets to be hauled
over to windward in order that the barque's speed might be reduced
without shortening sail and so exciting any suspicion in the minds of
the pirates of a desire on the part of the _Aurora_ to renew the action.

This manoeuvre had the desired effect; and shortly before noon t