d
beneath the keel, and there was a gentle thud as the propeller blade
struck a portion of the wreck.

"Right over her! What luck!"

That was all he could say, for other matters engaged his attention. Of
the huddled group in the centre of the native boat half a dozen had
managed to gain the launch, while their comrades were already far behind
struggling in the water. And these men who had been able to reach her
had not all contrived to get aboard. Two reached the deck of the steam
craft at once, while the remainder clung to her side, and were now
clambering up, no easy task considering the speed of the vessel. A
rifle cracked and one of the men aboard fell on his face. Then Dick saw
Johnnie lift his weapon again and aim. He pressed the trigger as the
man leaped to one side. As he opened the breech and stretched out for
another cartridge, the native ran at him waving his short sword above
his head. Dick's arm went up from the well, he rested the muzzle of his
weapon on the edge, and took a rapid aim. A moment later the Ashanti
fell headlong across the boiler, while his sword clattered on the iron
floor of the miniature stokehold.

"Soon settle um hash!" shouted Johnnie, as he leaped to the deck and ran
forward, armed with his shovel. "Hah! off yo's go. To de riber wid
you."

He leaned over the side, and one by one he beat the Ashantis into the
water. Then he returned to his engine, and our hero heard the furnace
door open once more.

"Steady," he called out with a laugh, which showed the relief he felt.
"Go easy, my lad, for we are out of the wood, and must husband coal.
How's the store?"

"Plenty black stone, sar. Steam from here to Cape Coast Castle, I tink.
Golly! Um hot!"

He groped in the pocket of his greasy jacket and produced a piece of
waste with which he mopped his face. Then he turned his attention to
the enemy and put up his rifle. Dick followed suit, and together the
shots rang out.

"That's where the big gun is," said Dick, as he fired at the second of
the two large boats, from which had come the bellow of the large piece
which had accounted for the fracture of the tiller. "That fellow has
got hold of an elephant gun, I think, and he is making good shooting.
Whereabouts is he?"

"You watch, Massa Dick. You see dat man near far end of boat? Dat de
feller. You watch um while me pot. See um go splash into de water."

There was a malicious gleam in Johnnie's eye, for a second