matter. All sorts of presents were bestowed on the black sovereign; a
gun, some crockery, a pair of boots, a tooth-comb, a pair of epaulets,
and half a dozen gaily coloured pocket-handkerchiefs, the pilot and the
other chiefs coming in for a share of the good things, the captain
hinting that this was only a forestalment of what they might expect if
they behaved well. Highly pleased with all that had occurred, under a
salute of eleven guns from the frigate, and more than half-seas over,
the negro potentate and his great ministers of the realm, and other
followers, betook themselves to the shore.

"They are slippery as their own skins," observed the Commodore; "we must
have a sharp look on them, to keep them to their engagements."

The _Ranger_ had captured several slavers, and sent them away to Sierra
Leone for adjudication, and had driven many more off from the rivers
into which they were bound to take in their cargoes, when, being under
easy sail, about six miles off the coast, a large schooner was seen
in-shore of them. Though all sail was made in chase, as the schooner
increased her distance, Captain Lascelles ordered two boats to be manned
in order to pursue her. To their great delight Jack got command of one,
the cutter with eight men, and Adair of the other, a gig with six, many
of the other officers being away in prizes. Their chief object was to
come up with her before the setting in of the sea-breeze. Both boats,
however, pulled badly, being soddened from having been so constantly in
the water, besides which they leaked not a little. However, Jack and
Paddy had learned that perseverance conquers all difficulties. Hot, as
usual, was the sun. "Another warm day, Jack," cried Terence, as they
pulled away; "I wonder how much marrow we shall have left in our bones
and how much fat outside them when we get home."

Two hours and a half passed before they got up with the chase. The gig,
from pulling best, was ahead. Jack did not grudge his messmate the
honour, though he liked to be first when he could. The schooner, with
all her sweeps out, as the boats neared her, put her helm up, and tried
to run them down, opening at the same time a sharp fire of musketry.
They, however, were too quick for her, and, pulling on either side, each
man seized his musket and let fly in return. Loading again with the
greatest coolness, as they passed her, they poured in another volley.
The sweeps being rigged out, prevented