f the pirate fleet. No one
was sorry to have work to do, though small amount of glory was to be
obtained in pirate hunting.

"It's our duty, at all events, and that is one comfort," observed Jack
to Adair, who had been lent to the brig in consequence of the illness of
her second lieutenant. Thus two of the old schoolfellows were together.

The squadron, sailing to the northward, cruised in every direction where
they were likely to fall in with the piratical fleets; but though many
traces of them were discovered in ruined villages and stranded vessels,
the crews of which had been murdered or carried off into slavery, the
pirates themselves were nowhere to be seen. At last it occurred to
Captain Grant that in all probability the pirates were receiving
constant information of their movements, and had thus managed to elude
them. He therefore determined to fit out three boats, which would, by
being able to steal along shore, and pull head to wind, be more likely
to come on the pirates unawares.

No sooner was the thought conceived than it was put into execution.
Each boat was fitted with a long gun on the bows, besides swivels at the
sides for closer quarters, and manned with twelve hands armed to the
teeth, besides officers; and in the larger boats two or three extra men.
Rogers and Adair got charge of two of the boats. Murray would gladly
have gone in the third with Mr Cherry, the second lieutenant of the
frigate, who had command of the expedition, but two midshipmen had
already been directed to get ready to go in her, and he did not like to
deprive either of them of the pleasure they anticipated. The boats did
not leave the ships till some two or three hours after dark, that none
of the friends of the pirates might discover what had occurred.

No one expected anything but amusement from the expedition. Nat Cherry,
their leader, was one of the most good-natured, jolly fellows in the
navy, and seldom failed to make everybody under him happy. They could
not bring themselves to believe that a whole fleet of pirate prahus
would ever wait their attack for a moment, they felt almost sure that
directly they appeared the enemy would attempt to escape. Just as Jack
was shoving off from the brig, Queerface, who had been watching his
opportunity, made a spring into the boat, and there was instantly a loud
cry from all on board her, that he might be allowed to remain.

"Oh, he's such a divertin' rogue, he'll keep every mo