eve that you will drub them in the end--that's all right;
but only fancy you can do so with a great deal of trouble and hard
fighting, and always believe that they are about to play you some trick
or other. That's my philosophy about fighting. I'd advise you to take
up the same and stick to it. And this brings me to that brig of yours
out there. You make sure that she'll drub the junks. Just take care
that the junks don't drub her; not but that I know what your people are
made of, and next to our people there ain't any people who fight better
in the world when they're put to it, that I'll allow, but--"

"All right," exclaimed Jack, who did not wish to discuss the subject.
"But see what these cunning rogues are about."

While the above discussion was going on, the fleet of junks had
separated into four divisions. One led, keeping away so as to give a
respectful berth to the brig, two others branched off on either side,
and one, which was the junk which bore the midshipmen and their
fortunes, gave up sculling and remained stationary. It was very evident
that the intention of the pirates was completely to surround the brig.
After a time, the last-named division began once more to creep slowly
on, and, the circle being formed, the whole advanced, decreasing it by
degrees, till they got within range of the brig's guns. So eager were
the pirates that they paid little attention to their prisoners, who all,
therefore, assembled on the deck to watch proceedings.

"She is the _Blenny_, there is no doubt about it," cried Jack. "Our
fellows will not knock under as long as a man remains alive on the deck
to fight her guns."

The Chinese knew that their shot would not fly across the brig so as to
hit their friends on the other side of her, so as they closed in their
circle became complete, with short distances only between each junk.
The prisoners also watched proceedings with such intense interest, that
they totally forgot the danger to which they themselves were exposed.

"I wish that the brig would open her fire, and give it these scoundrels
well," cried Jack; "I wonder that they don't begin." He had scarcely
spoken when there was a flash and a report from one of the brig's guns,
and a shot struck the junk just astern of them. Several of the Chinese
fired in return, but their shot scarcely reached the brig. The pirate
admiral or commodore, on seeing this, threw out signals to close in
still more, and as the junks b