didn't understand all they were talking about.

"The officer, however, didn't mind what the colonel said; but calling
his men, they made a rush at him, and taking him unawares, seized him
and held him fast. Others in the meantime had got hold of the skipper
and mates, as you see the enemy were five to one of us, but still it's
my opinion, if our men had been staunch, we could have beat them off.
They didn't touch either of the midshipmen or me, for they believed what
the colonel had told them. Having got the colonel down, they lashed his
arms behind him and made him sit upon the deck. He took things very
calmly, and calling Mr Rogers to him, he said, `I'll thank you now to
go and look after my daughter; I know that I can trust you, my young
friend. Don't alarm her more than is necessary, and beg her to remain
below until you think she will be safe on deck.'

"`Ay, ay, sir,' said Mr Rogers, and he and his messmates dived into the
cabin. I remained on deck for a few minutes longer to see what was
likely to happen.

"The people who boarded us were of all colours, Spaniards, mulattoes,
and blacks and browns of every hue, though they spoke the same lingo,
and were as savage-looking villains as I ever set eyes on, with their
sharp knives stuck in their belts, which they seemed only too eager to
use. Finding themselves masters of the brig, they made their way below,
and laid hands on everything to which they took a fancy.

"Thinking that I might help the young gentlemen, I slipped down the
companion hatch and found them standing before Miss O'Regan's cabin;
they had armed themselves with pistols and cutlasses. `Glad to see you,
Needham,' said Mr Rogers; `you'll find a brace of pistols in the
captain's cabin, and here's a cutlass; we have made up our minds to
fight as long as there's fight in us, if the ruffians attempt to hurt
the young lady.'

"`I'm one with you, young gentlemen,' said I, and I went and got the
pistols. Miss O'Regan heard what he said and opened the door, begging
them not to fight, as there would be no use in doing so. Scarcely had
she spoken when down came a gang of rough-looking villains with those
long knives of theirs in their hands looking very ferocious, and ready
to kill any who might dare to stop them. Mr Rogers had just time to
push the young lady back into the cabin, and shut the door before the
fellows could see her. They didn't take much notice of the midshipmen,
but set about hunt