smaller.

"I think, sir, they've set fire to the junks in several places," I said.

He asked me why, and I told him.

"Watch attentively for a few minutes."

I did so, and felt puzzled, for it seemed so strange that the fire
should grow smaller.

"Well," he said, "are the junks burning?"

"The little curls of smoke are rising still, sir."

"Have the men left the decks?"

"Oh no, sir! They're running here and there, and seem very busy still."

"Then they have not set fire to the vessels," he cried decisively.
"Pirates, without a doubt. Those are stink-pots that they have been
getting ready. Go on watching, and report anything else."

A noise below, familiar enough, with its rattle and splash, told me that
an anchor had been dropped from the bows; and as the _Teaser_ slowly
swung round from the force of the tide, I also had to turn, so as to
keep the telescope fixed upon the enemy, who were as busy as ever,
though what they were doing I could not make out. The flashes of light
came more frequently, though, as the sun played upon their weapons; and
now I had something else to report--that they had both assumed a
different position, being lifted by the tide and floated upon an even
keel.

My first idea was, that now they would sail on beyond our reach; in
fact, one moved a good deal, but the other stopped in its place, so that
at last they were so close together that they seemed to touch.

"Make out the boats?" came from the deck.

"No, sir; they're close under the bank." Yes, I caught a glimpse of the
marines' bayonets just then.

"How far are they away from the junks, do you think?"

"I can't tell, sir; about a quarter of a mile, I think."

Mr Reardon was silent while I gazed intently at a patch of open water
just beyond a curve of the bank, hoping to see the boats there, though I
felt that as soon as they reached that spot, if the enemy had not seen
them before, they would be certain to then, for beyond that the junks
lay clearly to be seen from where I sat.

"Well? See the boats?" came from the deck.

"No, sir, not yet."

I glanced down to answer, and could see that every one who possessed a
glass was gazing anxiously aft, the only face directed up to me being
the first lieutenant's. Then my eye was at the glass again.

"More smoke from the junks, sir," I cried; but there was no sign of
fire, and I felt that Mr Reardon must be right, for if they had set a
light to the inflammable wood of