s, and seemed to think
that it was just as well as it was, seeing that they themselves had come
off better than anybody else. A few more junks having blown up, and
others burnt to the water's edge or sunk, those that had escaped sent
their boats, not so much for the chance of saving any fellow-creatures
who might be struggling for existence, as to pick up any articles of
value which might be still floating. The fleet then made sail away from
the spot, lest the explosion might be the means of bringing down an
enemy upon them to interfere with their proceedings.

The midshipmen were now placed in a somewhat difficult position with
regard to the ladies in their cabin. How to account for their being
there was one puzzle, and how to save them from annoyance or insult was
another. The pirates seemed inclined to treat the American captain and
mate as well as they had done the midshipmen. They had seen them very
active in saving the junk, but it was probably not gratitude so much as
the hope of obtaining a ransom which made them civil. Jos having
intimated that they were hungry, in a short time a mess of food was
brought for the whole party to the upper raised deck in the afterpart of
the vessel. While discussing this meal, they also discussed the means
likely to be most serviceable to the ladies. The American captain told
them that his brig was the _Wide Awake_, that his name was William
Willock, that of his mate, Joe Hudson; that they were bound to Sydney in
Australia, where the two ladies, who were French, and mother and
daughter, were proceeding.

"I know what!" cried Jack, as if a bright thought had struck him. "The
pirates seem to treat men civilly enough; could we not manage to rig up
the ladies in men's clothes? There is a chest of Chinamen's coats and
trousers in our cabin, and the old lady would make a very tolerable
mandarin."

"I should think it would very speedily be discovered what they are,"
answered Murray. "It will be better if we get Jos to talk over the old
pirate skipper, and having excited his cupidity in suggesting a good
ransom, produce our captives, and charge him to treat them well. What
do you say. Captain Willock?"

"A very good plan, I guess," was the answer; "there is nothing like
making it the interest of a man to do what you want him. Just let the
ladies show themselves. I suppose Chinamen have hearts like other
people, and will have some compassion on them, when they see their