ff-end--a fit emblem of rapine and
murder.

"Red this time, by way of a change," remarked Bowen to George, in
allusion to their encounter with the pirate schooner, which fought under
a _black_ flag. "Well, a change is good sometimes," he added
philosophically. "Shall we give her a taste of our quality now, cap'n;
she's just shooting into the right position to get the full benefit of
the dose of `round' and `grape' I've prepared for her?"

"Yes, give it her," answered George, drawing his cutlass with one hand,
and a pistol with the other.

"Throw open your ports, lads!" commanded Bowen; and at the word the
port-lids flew apart, six twelve-pounders were run out on each side,
and, as the barque was in the very act of sheering alongside, the
_Virginie's_ starboard broadside was poured into her with murderous
effect, as was evidenced by the frightful outburst of yells, groans, and
imprecations which at once arose on board her. The broadside was
returned, but without inflicting much damage, the pirates evidently
having been taken completely by surprise by the sudden and unexpected
unmasking of the brig's guns.

The next moment the two vessels collided with a crash.

"Now look alive with your grappling-irons, and _heave_! Boarders,
follow me!" cried George, dashing to the rail, and making a spring
thence in upon the _Aurora's_ deck, Mr Bowen at the same time leading
his detachment on board by way of the fore-rigging.

The Englishmen were met by a very formidable party, which had evidently
been told off to board the brig, and in an instant a fierce and
sanguinary _melee_ arose on the _Aurora's_ deck. The Spaniards--for
such they proved to be--though taken by surprise, and greatly
disconcerted by the unexpectedly warm reception which they had met with
from the brig, fought with the fury and desperation of demons, and for
perhaps five minutes the crew of the _Virginie_ had all their work cut
out to maintain their position on the deck of the barque. The pirates,
with that sanguinary symbol floating over their heads, and believing
that they had been entrapped into attacking a man-o'-war, felt that the
halter was already about their necks, and that there was literally no
alternative but victory or death for them; and they pressed forward with
such recklessness and ferocity that the deck speedily assumed the aspect
of a human shambles, and the planking grew so slippery with blood that
it became difficult to retain one's