with the information.

"Be ready, lads!" said Adair; "the fellows I was warned would attack us
are probably coming. Five of you remain on the starboard side, and five
on the port side. Snatchblock and I will work the guns. Keep under
shelter, and don't fire till I give the word; then blaze away with
muskets and pistols, and use your pikes as you may find necessary.
Don't let them discover that we are prepared till the last moment. I
will call you where you may be most wanted; I know you will do your
duty, and we shall beat them off, never fear that. Silence now, and go
to your stations."

Adair spoke in a low voice to the men gathered around him. He had
arranged them at equal distances along the bulwarks, where they crouched
down, with their muskets in their hands, and their pikes by their sides.
He had lighted a couple of slow matches, and put them into tubs near
the guns, ready for use.

Desmond remained by him and prepared to get whatever might be required.
He and Snatchblock kept a lookout, one on either side, to watch for the
boats. The sound of the oars was now distinctly heard, and in a short
time they clearly made out six large boats, evidently pulling towards
the brigantine. As they approached they closed with each other, and
came up on the port side; they were still at a short distance from the
vessel, when Adair hailed, in the best Portuguese he could command, and
told them to keep off.

"We allow no boats from the shore to visit the vessel at night, and if
you come nearer we shall fire into you," he shouted.

Some loud chattering ensued, and in spite of the warning they had
received, the Brazilians dashed up alongside. There must have been five
and twenty men in each boat; a considerable force to be opposed by
Adair's small crew.

The Brazilians came on with threatening shouts and cries, evidently
intended to intimidate the British seamen.

"Keep off," again cried Adair, but his warning was unheeded. He sent
Desmond to call all the men over the port side.

"Take the consequences, then," he answered; "fire, lads."

The bullets which came flying into their midst for a moment seemed to
damp the courage of the Brazilians, but recovering themselves they let
fly a volley in return. Adair wisely bobbed, and several bullets flew
over his head. All attempt of concealment was now useless. The
Brazilians dashed up alongside and attempted to get on board, but were
met by the boarding pikes of th