e were right in thinking that she was about to put to sea."

The breeze was very light, and the schooner could still be discerned
from the deck of the _Supplejack_. Jack waited till she had disappeared
behind the rocks of the Moro: the anchor was then hove up, and sail
being made on the brig, she slowly glided out of the harbour, the
magnificent lighthouse on the west enabling her without difficulty to
find her way through the narrow channel. The schooner could be dimly
seen ahead, but it was doubtful whether she herself was aware that she
was followed.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

CHASE OF THE VENUS--A TORNADO--JACK AGAIN SIGHTS HER--CAPTURES HER AND
TWO MORE--SAILS FOR PORT ROYAL--A SUSPICIOUS STRANGER--A PRIZE
DESPATCHED FOR ASSISTANCE--ATTACKED--HARD PRESSED--PRISONERS BREAK
LOOSE--THE CORVETTE APPEARS IN THE NICK OF TIME--FALL IN WITH THE
FRIGATE--ADAIR'S ACCOUNT OF THE WAY THE SLAVERS HAD DONE THEM.

The _Supplejack_, long after the chase had got out to sea, remained
concealed under the dark shadow cast by the castle across the entrance.
It then fell a dead calm, and the schooner was completely lost to sight.
Boats were now sent ahead to tow. This was necessary, indeed, in order
to keep the brig off the rocks. It was slow work, however, and Jack
could only hope that with the rising sun the breeze would freshen, so
that he might make chase after the schooner. The way in which she had
crept out convinced him that she was a slaver; had he before entertained
any doubt as to Don Matteo's reasons for inviting him and his officers
to the ball, they now completely vanished. It was evident that the old
villain wanted to keep him and his officers on shore, that the slaver
might take the opportunity of putting to sea and getting a good start,
before it was discovered that she had gone. She must have got away,
also, Jack very well knew with the connivance of the captain of the
port, who had, of course, been bribed by her owner, as had likewise the
officer in command at the Moro, who would not otherwise have allowed her
to pass. Jack expected every instant to receive a shot from the castle,
but probably the last-mentioned personage thought it prudent not to
fire, lest he might have been asked why he allowed the schooner to pass.

When daylight returned, as Jack and Bevan swept their glasses round in
every direction, several sail were seen dotting the horizon.

Jack handed his glass to Needham. "Which of them do you th