aring his report, was not long in determining what to do.

"We must go in and insist on the liberation of our friends," he said.
"I'm sure, my lads, you'll stand by me."

A cheer from the crew showed that they were in the right spirit to dare
and do anything that he might require. The head-yards were braced
round, the helm put up, and the brig stood boldly into the harbour.
Murray intended to pass the corvette, and bring up as near the town as
the water would allow.

The corvette in the meantime had got a spring on her cable, her ports
were open and her guns run out.

The little _Supplejack_ stood on, nothing daunted.

"I don't think that Don Whiskerandos will dare to stop us, though he
boasted so much when we were on board," observed Desmond to Higson.

"You're mistaken, my boy."

Higson had just time to reply when a broadside from the corvette came
hissing through the air; one shot only, however, struck the brig and
shot away her forestay.

"We must not allow this to pass unnoticed," exclaimed Murray. "Reserve
your fire, however, my lads, till I give the order."

The long gun was pointed at the corvette, the port carronade was run
over to the starboard side. Murray waited till the brig had got
directly ahead of the enemy.

"Blaze away, now, my lads," he shouted, and a raking fire from his three
guns was poured into the corvette, sweeping her deck fore and aft.

The wind being light and the brig's courses being clewed up, she glided
slowly through the water, and the guns were again loaded and fired into
the bows of the corvette before the latter could return another shot.
The brig had just way enough on her to go about. The long gun was
slewed round, and the others run over to the port side, and fired,
greatly to the astonishment of the corvette's crew, before they had
managed to bring their guns to bear on her; when they did their shot
flew wide or through her rigging, and not one hit her. The brig was now
almost stationary, her crew working with a will, fired all their guns
twice before the Spaniards had returned another shot.

"Well done, my lads," cried Higson, "we have given them as many shots as
they have sent at us."

Such was the case, and every shot from the brig had told with good
effect.

"A few more as well aimed, and the Dons, depend on it, will cry,
`peccavi,'" he added.

The crew, stripped to the waist, were indeed working their guns with
right good will. All hands on board were