ry.

We had ample reason to pull hard, for the water was leaking in through
every seam in the boat; but I hoped that she might keep afloat long
enough to enable us to reach the side of the frigate. Hoolan and his
companions, finding that it was of no use, had ceased hailing us. We
had gone a short way when I saw a boat coming off from the shore. "A
hundred to one the French officers are in her," I thought; "and if they
have heard the shouting from the brig, they will fancy that something
has happened, and be on the look-out. However, we are in for it." We
were at first pulling ahead of the vessels which were at anchor between
us and the frigate; but, on seeing the boat, I told Larry we would pass
under the stern of the one nearest us, and thread our way in and out
among them, so that we might be concealed from the sight of those coming
off from the shore, in case they should make chase after us. In a short
time, however, the boat was half full of water.

"We must get this out, or we shall be sinking," I said.

There was no bailer; but I had seized my hat before I had got out of the
cabin window, and putting in our oars we bailed away as hard as we
could. We had succeeded in partly freeing the boat of water, when we
heard the splash of oars coming from the direction of the brig. Once
more we gave way, the water still coming in. I very much doubted that
we should reach the frigate without having again to stop. The boat,
however, was gaining on us. Should she come up before we could get
under our own flag, we might lawfully be recaptured; the water was
already up to the thwarts, and the boat pulled heavily; our pursuers
were getting closer and closer. We were nearing the frigate.

I looked round. I saw her high sides and tall masts against the sky.

I shouted at the top of my voice, "_Liffy_ ahoy! help, help here!"

Larry shouted still louder, for he had a voice of his own when he tried
to exert it. The boat pulled more heavily than ever. If it had not
been for the dread of the sharks, I should have jumped overboard and
tried to swim to the frigate. Still we made her move. I can't say what
a leap my heart gave as we ran up against her side. Some ropes were
hove to us, for our shouts had attracted attention, and, swirming up
them, we each reached a port in time to see our boat's gunwale flush
with the water, and our pursuers turning round to pull away. As we got
on deck the quartermaster brought a la