med Dick Snatchblock, the
boatswain's mate, as he caught another fellow by the leg who was
attempting to do the same. "Keep quiet you, I say," and he dealt him a
box on the ears which knocked him flat on the deck. They now made sail
after three junks nearest to them. The whole fleet were scattered far
and wide to every part of the compass.

"I wish that Hemming and the other fellows on board the brig knew where
we were," observed Jack; "we shall be reported dead or missing."

"They will value us so much the more when we make our appearance,"
answered Murray. "But, Jack, look at that junk! Her crew seem to have
more spirit than the rest of the scoundrels. They do not seem to be in
such a hurry to run away."

"They take us for friends," observed Jack. "Perhaps we have got hold of
the admiral's ship, and they probably are bound to wait for him. We
shall undeceive them, I guess, pretty soon. See all the guns ready
therefore and aft. We'll astonish them when they get near us."

The two junks drew closer and closer. They were well within range of
each other's guns. Jack was on the point of giving the order to fire,
when who should jump up on the bulwarks of the stranger but Paddy Adair.
Jack jumped up also and waved his hat. He forgot that he looked like a
Chinaman, and that all his crew were similarly disguised. A broadside
from Paddy's junk, and a rattling fire of musketry reminded him of the
fact. Happily the shot flew high, but he got the upper tip of his ear
taken off. He jumped down again on the deck. "What shall we do? We've
no ensign with us. How shall we let Paddy know who we are?" he
exclaimed. "If he were an enemy, I shouldn't care, but to be shot by
one's friends is too bad."

"Perhaps we may find a tablecloth, or some sheets, or something of that
sort," suggested Murray.

Nothing of the sort was to be found; and they were expecting every
moment that Adair would send another broadside into them, when Jack
bethought him that perhaps a pair of white trousers would answer the
purpose of a flag of truce. A pair which had been exchanged for a
Chinaman's nether garments was run up at the peak, and every other flag
was hauled down. This had the desired effect, for Adair did not again
fire. As soon as the two junks got within hail, Jack shouted out,
"Paddy, ahoy! Paddy, my boy! don't be after blowing up your friends, if
you love them."

Terence jumped up again on the bulwarks, and peered ea