him, though his suppressed groans showed that he was still in
great pain.

Many people would have given up the chase under these circumstances, but
Jack Rogers was not a fellow to do that. He found, however, that he
could do the enemy more damage by keeping out of the range of their
guns, and yet keep them within range of his. Miles were thus passed
over. As the sun rose the heat increased. There was a breeze, and the
prahus profited by it by spreading all their sails, but it did not serve
to cool the air. At length Jack found that he had got round the island,
and greatly to his delight he saw the other portion of the pirate
squadron followed closely by Adair. The two boats were soon alongside
each other. A council of war was held. It was a question whether they
should wait for their commander or pursue the enemy. It was quickly
decided that they should continue the chase. There were groups of
islands ahead, and the chances were that if they did not follow the
enemy they would escape among them. So on they pulled. The pirates
fired as before, though without doing any further damage. The only
person who seemed to wish to be elsewhere was Queerface. He jumped
about and chattered incessantly. Then he would try and hide himself;
but could not remain quiet, but every time he heard a shot he popped up
his head to see where it was going. Suddenly it grew perfectly calm
again. A lurid look came over the sky. Evidently there was going to be
a change in the weather. The pirates seemed to know what was about to
occur. There was an inlet in an island close at hand: towards it they
rapidly pulled. Jack and Adair were about to follow, when down upon
them came a terrific squall, which very nearly blew both their boats
right over. They happily got them before it, and away they flew towards
the island they had left. To weather it was impossible. The best
chance of saving the boats was to beach them. They prayed that there
might be no rocks in the way, but the fierce breath of the tornado was
sweeping up such vast masses of foam into the air, that they could see
but a few fathoms before them. Side by side the two boats sprang on.
Jack stood up. As his boat rose on the top of a sea, he saw the land:
close under her bows it appeared.

"Be ready, lads, to spring out, and to carry our wounded shipmates up
the beach," he exclaimed. The next instant the boat struck with a force
which shattered her almost to pieces.