ck. "I can see the
tops of her lateen sails above the mist. Perhaps she's the old Don's
craft. Never mind, we'll be ready for him."

In two minutes more they were close up to the schooner. No notice had
hitherto been taken of them by those on board. They flattered
themselves that they were not perceived. They dashed alongside.

"Who are you? who are you?" said a fierce voice in Spanish. "Speak,
speak, who are you?"

"A boat of her Britannic Majesty's ship _Ranger_," answered Jack, who
understood what was said. "Heave-to, I want to come on board you." He
said this as the boat was hooking on, and he and Terence, followed by
their men, were about to spring on deck, when again the same person who
had before hailed, sang out, "Heave, heave, sink the boat and the
scoundrel heretics. Have no mercy on them."

At that instant down came half a dozen round shots into the bottom of
the boat, rattling through the planks, while pistols were fired in their
faces, and pikes were thrust at them, and swords flourished above their
heads. They were prepared for opposition, so, in spite of this, cutlass
in hand, they sprang up the side of the vessel without much difficulty,
as her bulwarks were low, and attacked their assailants. Jack had time
to seize his rifle, for he saw the water rushing into his boat, and he
felt that she was sinking under their feet. Followed by Queerface, who,
through fright, chattered away louder than ever, the English seamen
gained the deck of the slaver. Such undoubtedly she was, if not worse.
Jack saw that they had nearly taken her by surprise, for but few men
were at that moment on deck; but others, some only half dressed, were
rushing out of both the fore and after cabins. The first who had
received them made so bold a stand that time was allowed for the whole
of the Spanish crew to assemble. They far outnumbered the English.
Still the gallant young midshipmen and their followers fought on
undaunted. Suddenly Queerface, who had hitherto kept behind the rest,
jumped up into the rigging and looked over them.

"Don Diogo! Don Diogo!" cried several of the slaver's crew; "how comes
he to be with these men? There must be some mistake."

"Quacko--Quacko--Quacko," cried Queerface, and scud up the rigging out
of harm's way.

The Spaniards could not make it out. The delay, however, was an
advantage to the English, as it enabled them to cast their eyes around
and see the state of affairs. The