lling a pistol
at his head. He pulled the trigger. It missed fire, and before he
could again cock the lock, Needham, who had been working his hands free,
sprang aft, and with a blow of his fist levelled him with the deck. It
was the signal for the Spaniards to set upon them, and they would all
have been cut down, but the next instant a loud crash was heard, and the
dark hull of a man-of-war brig, with her taunt masts and wide spread of
canvas, was seen ranging up alongside. The next instant twenty or more
stout English seamen, led by Alick Murray, came pouring down on the
slaver's deck. The brig which had thus providentially fallen in with
them was the _Archer_. She was on her passage to the northward with
despatches for Captain Lascelles, recalling him and his frigate
homewards. The news was received by all hands with unmitigated joy.
The tables on board the schooner were quickly turned. The Spaniards
were all handcuffed, and a strict guard set over them. The midshipmen
and their followers went on board the brig, where they were cordially
welcomed, and their wounds looked to. The felucca escaped, but as she
was never again heard of, it was supposed that she was lost in a fierce
gale which occurred two days afterwards. The schooner was found to be
full of slaves, and proved a rich prize. Don Diogo escaped hanging, but
was reduced to abject beggary, for he had not even the means of leaving
Sierra Leone, and very soon afterwards was found dead on the beach.
This was the last adventure either of the three midshipmen met with on
the coast of Africa. They were all three pretty well tired of it, and
delighted indeed were they when they once more found themselves in sight
of Old England. The frigate and brig were paid off about the same time,
and Alick and Terence accompanied Jack to that often-talked-of and
well-loved home of his in Northamptonshire. It must not be forgotten
that they had in their train the most sensible of travelled apes.
Master Queerface, who, by his amusing antics and performances, and
extraordinary monkeyish sagacity, gained the admiration of the whole
surrounding neighbourhood. There they remained for some weeks, when,
after Alick and Terence had paid a short visit to their own friends,
they were all once more summoned afloat.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.

BOUND FOR CHINA.

Her Majesty's frigate _Dugong_ was fitting with all despatch for sea at
Portsmouth; so was her Majesty's brig-of-wa