lighted another. Their eyes all the time were ranging the offing to try
and discover the whereabouts of the frigate.

"There is her light, sir," shouted Jack from forward, and when their own
blue-light grew dim, hers was seen shining like a star floating on the
water in the far distance.

Thus they went on, burning blue-lights, at longer intervals though than
at first, and firing shot after shot at the felucca. The slaver bore it
at first without attempting to return the compliment; but at length,
when Rogers hoped that he had hit her, her captain seemed to lose
patience, and she opened fire on the boat in return. The latter,
however, especially in the night, offered too small an object to be
easily hit. Still one shot came whistling over their heads, and another
struck the water close to them, showing them, as Paddy said, that they
were comfortably within range.

"I think that I have winged her," shouted Jack; "if so, even should the
breeze increase, and she escape from us, the frigate will get hold of
her."

Thus time sped on, the frigate and her boat showing at intervals their
blue-lights, while the slaver, caught between them, continued pretty
rapidly firing away at the latter. Still Hemming, at all events, did
not feel at all certain that the felucca would be caught. Though the
light on her deck could be seen, she was growing more and more
indistinct as she increased her distance from them. At last she ceased
firing. The breeze too was increasing.

"Do you still see her, Rogers?" asked Hemming.

"No, sir," answered Jack. "She's vanished altogether into thin air."

"Then there's no use firing at her, I suppose," said Paddy to himself.

Some little time longer had passed, when Jack shouted that he again saw
her light. Away the boat pulled towards it. The frigate, by sending up
a blue-light, showed that she saw it likewise.

"We'll have her this time, at all events," cried Adair, rubbing his
hands.

"Don't be too sure of that, Paddy," said Hemming; "still, towards the
light we must pull."

It was rather heavy work, for the people had been now some time at their
oars without a moment's rest. On they pulled, however, with renewed
vigour, fully believing that they were about to pounce down upon the
slaver. Nearer and nearer they drew to the light.

"The felucca must have hove-to," cried Adair. "It's strange, after
getting so well ahead she should have given in."

What Hemming thought he did