hall have one of them," interposed Felix, handing
his extra weapon to the cook, with a package of ammunition for it.

"I think we shall be able to render a good account of ourselves,
whatever may turn up in the course of the afternoon," added the captain.
"I want you with me on the forecastle for the present, Louis; for, after
all, there may be more talk than bullets in this affair."

"I hope so," added Louis sincerely; though it was evident that some of
the boys looked upon the adventure as decidedly exciting, and therefore
agreeable.

Louis walked to the forecastle with the captain, and both of them gave
their entire attention to the boat that was approaching, having now
accomplished more than half the distance between the two vessels.

"I can't imagine what has become of the Guardian-Mother," said Louis, as
he directed a spy-glass to seaward. "She cannot have intended to desert
us in this manner. What do you suppose has become of her, Captain
Scott?"

"I shall have to give it up at once, for I cannot form any idea,"
replied Scott. "She was to follow us, and in some such place as this bay
we were to bring things to a head, and give the pirate the slip."

"I hope nothing serious has happened to her. The last we saw of her she
was rounding a point near Damietta."

"She intended to get out of sight of the pirate as soon as possible, so
that the Fatty could follow the Maud; and she did all that in good
order. But I have no doubt that she is safe enough; and, if we don't get
chewed up in this scrape, I have no doubt she will soon put in an
appearance in these waters."

"Steamer, ahoy!" shouted a rather tall man in the stern-sheets of the
boat.

"In the boat!" replied Scott, after he had waited a moment, and then in
a very careless and indifferent tone.

"That's Mazagan," said Louis.

"Of course it is; I knew he was there before he opened his mouth, the
pirate!" added the captain.

"Is Mr. Belgrave on board?" demanded the captain of the Fatime.

"What if he is? What if he is not?" answered the captain.

"I wish to see him."

"He is not to be seen at the present moment. What is your business with
him?" Scott inquired, as indifferently as though the affair did not even
remotely concern him.

Of course his manner was assumed, and Louis listened to him with the
most intense interest; for he was anxious to ascertain in what manner
the captain intended to conduct the negotiation, if there was to be
anything o