the Brazilians
were utterly indifferent to what he or any of his companions said.
Snatchblock, who had till then been walking on quietly, suddenly got his
arms loose, and knocking aside, with some well-directed blows from his
iron fists, two or three of the persons nearest to him, shouted out--

"Now is the time to get our liberty! We will soon send the fellows to
the right about. Come on, Mr Higson, the coast is clear."

The lieutenant and midshipmen having their arms lashed behind them could
not quite so easily follow his advice, and the next instant the
Brazilians making a rush together threw themselves on the brave sailor
and brought him to the ground, when he was quickly bundled in after the
rest, and the door shut. As, however, his arms were at liberty, he at
once released his companions.

"This is very provoking," exclaimed Higson, after they had somewhat
recovered from the rough handling they had received. "We can soon set
ourselves to rights, though, if we could manage to send on board one of
our ships."

"Easy enough, but we must get out first," observed Desmond.

"Perhaps we might contrive to get through the roof, I have heard of such
things being done," said Tom. "The door and windows are evidently
strong, and there is no chance of getting out through them."

The building, which was about twenty-five feet long and fourteen wide,
was carefully examined, but they soon discovered that the roof was
strong and heavy, and there was but little prospect of making their way
through it. Even should they get outside, how were they to reach Rio
was the question, unless they could find their boat; and over that their
captors would probably keep a strict watch.

There were some rough wooden benches fixed to the walls round the room,
but no table or any place on which they could rest. The floor, which
was excessively dirty, being strewed with the remains of the meals of
other prisoners, they had no wish to lie down on it.

At last, Higson, seating himself on a bench, said, "Well, all we can do
at present is to practise patience, and see what turns up next."

It was now quite dark. Fortunately, having enjoyed a good supper just
before they were captured, they were not hungry. The rest of the party
followed the lieutenant's example, and lay down on the benches. No one
came into the prison, but they could hear voices outside and a great
number of people apparently passing up and down before the door. Thus