pirates and hung in case they do not
succeed, or are afterwards captured; so it becomes necessary to keep a
very sharp look-out after them. Her papers were at the same time
secured, and, on her circumstances being investigated, not a doubt
remained as to her character.

Bending sails, and getting all ready for an early start, occupied some
time, when, the watch being set, with strict orders to keep a wakeful
eye on the prisoners, the rest of the party lay down on the sails, and
were soon sound asleep.

At early dawn all hands were roused up, and the schooner was very soon
got under weigh. There was little or no wind to fill her sails, so the
boats' crews had to tow her down the river, hoping to find a breeze, as
they got near its mouth, to take her out. Nine miles of their distance
had been thus accomplished, when, at about seven o'clock, as she was
passing through a long reach of the river Nun, a sail hove in sight,
which was soon discovered to be a rakish two-topsail schooner. She
stood boldly on up the river towards the barracoons, either not
observing the little _Lark_, or, at all events, not suspecting into
whose hands she had fallen. Lieutenant Dumaresq on this instantly
ordered the man-of-war boats to be hauled up alongside of the schooner
on the opposite side to that on which the stranger was approaching, so
that she should not observe them, and, by taking fright, endeavour to
make her escape. At the same time, the pinnace and gig were manned and
held in readiness (the crews being well armed) to board the schooner,
Mr Kingston receiving orders to remain in charge of the _Lark_ with the
cutter's crew. On slowly came the stranger, the light wind only just
enabling her to stem the current. She seemed totally unconscious of the
neighbourhood of her enemies. On a sudden something seemed to awaken
her suspicions; and Lieutenant Dumaresq, judging that the best time had
arrived for taking possession, shoved off and pulled towards her as fast
as the crews could lay their backs to the oars. Mr Kingston meantime
was left in command of the _Lark_, with the cutter's crew; Mr Thorburn
accompanied their leader. Away went the boats. The stranger now for
the first time was aware of her danger, or rather certainty of capture,
unless she could blow the approaching boats out of the water; but she
could have had but slight hopes of doing so with any chance of ultimate
success, as she saw that the _Lark_ was in the hands