work,
and the ropes were cut.

"Leap on board the junk, my men, we'll cover your retreat."

The captain and mate did as they were directed, and had just reached the
junk when several of the pirates saw what had happened and sprang after
them.

Had not the midshipmen undertaken to defend them, their heads would have
been off that moment. Jack and Alick had fortunately gained the side of
the vessel, and there stood at bay. They had cut down three of their
assailants, but others were coming on, when the Malay rushed past them,
crying out, "Leap, leap on board; cast off, or we shall all blow up." A
back-handed blow which he gave with his short sword cut down the nearest
of their assailants, and enabled them to accomplish his advice. He and
they, without questions asked, instantly cast off the grapnels, and
shoved the junk away from the brig before the Chinese saw what they were
about.

Scarcely were they free, when a rush of flame burst out of the hold of
the merchantman, and up went her decks with a terrific explosion,
carrying masts, and spars, and sails, and cargo, and the many hundred
human beings, who, like ants in a granary, were swarming in every
direction, rifling her of the treasures she contained. The numerous
junks surrounding her did not escape; some were blown up, others had
their sides blown in, and several caught fire or were more or less
injured. For a moment there was perfect silence; every one stood
aghast, and then down came clattering on their heads, limbs, and trunks,
and heads of human beings, and fragments of spars, and burning bales,
and canvas, and packages burst open like shells, scattering their
contents on every side. Next arose shrieks, and groans, and shouts, a
hubbub most terrific, the cries of the wounded, and the imprecations of
those who had escaped and been baulked of their prey.

"Dat is just what I tort it would be," said Jos, quite coolly, watching
the effects of the catastrophe, as he assisted to shove the junk out
from among the crowd of burning vessels. The pirate captain and crew,
most of whom had got on board, thought that they were very much indebted
to him and the white men for having been the means of saving their
vessel. As they also had been the most busily at work, and had
collected a good deal of booty, they did not at all take to heart the
accident which had happened to their pirate companions. They shrugged
their shoulders, and blinked their little pig-eye