evident that the canoes, unless the wind
freshened greatly, would overtake her. The few fire-arms on board the
schooner would avail but little against the vastly superior numbers of
the savages. The wind increased; still the canoes were gaining ground.
Had the captain waited to weigh the anchor, the "Young Crusader" would
to a certainty have been captured; even now there appeared little
probability of her escaping.

"The savages are gaining on us fearfully," observed Willy to his
brother. "We shall have to fight for it; at all events, we may kill a
few of the savages before we are taken."

"That would be but a small satisfaction," observed Charles. "I little
expected such a termination to our adventures."

The breeze continued to freshen. Notwithstanding this, the schooner did
not gain on the canoes.

"Captain Westerway," cried Willy, suddenly, "there is a sail to the
northward."

"Yes, and she is standing this way," said the captain. "We will haul up
for her. Starboard the helm, Windy. Get a pull at the fore and
mainsheets."

The savages had probably not seen the stranger, or perhaps they wanted
to overtake the schooner, before she could get within signalling
distance. The ship was a large one, and under all sail. With the
freshening breeze she came on rapidly. A shot was now fired from the
leading canoe, another and another followed. The ladies who were on
deck were hurried below. Loftus and Ivyleaf were about to discharge
their fowling-pieces in return. "Don't fire, my friends," said Mr
Paget. "It will be useless. Let us rather trust to the protection of
Heaven. When the savages discover that yonder ship is a man-of-war, as
I have no doubt they soon will, they will give up the pursuit."

In another minute his words proved true. The canoes were seen to stop,
then to sweep round, and to paddle back again at full speed towards the
land.

Willy intently watched the ship as she approached. He rubbed his eyes
again and again. "What is the matter?" asked Charles, seeing him almost
gasping for breath.

"Why, Charles," he exclaimed, "she is the `Ranger.' Yes, I am as sure
of it almost as I am of my own existence."

In a short time the "Young Crusader" was hove to, and the boat, with
Willy and Peter Patch in her, was pulling towards the ship, which, it
being seen that the schooner wished to speak her, was also brought to
the wind. The two midshipmen quickly scrambled up the side. On the
qua