y towed the brig round, the canvas was let drop, and
away she glided. As she increased her speed, the boats were dropped
astern, and now with a fair breeze the gallant little brig under all
sail stood towards the mouth of the harbour. As she neared the
narrowest part of the channel a number of people were seen collecting on
the beach. On her approach they ran behind the high bank, sheltered by
which they opened a hot fire with muskets and rifles, the bullets
whizzing over the brig. Jack on this ordered all hands to lie down,
with the exception of the helmsman, the man in the chains, and the
lookout forward, while he himself stood at his post, conning the vessel.

The wind held fair, and after having been peppered for about ten minutes
with a few stray shots sticking into her sides and hammocks, and a
splinter or two torn off the masts, the _Supplejack_ bounded gaily out
to sea, having performed her duty, and being able to laugh at her
opponents. None of the men struck had been much hurt, so the affair was
altogether satisfactory. Just as it was getting dark, she met the
corvette, which had stood in as close as was safe, to meet her.

The two vessels now stood to the southward, for the purpose of looking
into the harbour of Paranagua, a notorious slave-mart, about three
hundred miles from Rio. They came off the bay or gulf, as it may
probably be called, soon after dawn on the third day after leaving the
scene of their last exploit.

On one side of the somewhat narrow entrance lay a fort in which they
could count fourteen or fifteen guns frowning down upon them.

"We might have some hot work if we were entering an enemy port,"
observed Murray. "The Brazilian officer in command will, however,
scarcely dare to molest us, even though he may be favourably disposed to
the slave-traders."

As a precautionary measure, however, the crews were sent to quarters,
and, the corvette leading, the two vessels stood into the harbour. As
he approached, Murray dipped his flag, the salute being duly returned
from the fort. He accordingly stood on, intending to run up the harbour
till he came in sight of the vessels he expected to find there. Jack,
following his leader, did the same, and passed unmolested.

The two men-of-war proceeded on for some distance, but no vessels
appeared, and Murray began to fear that the slavers had had some
intimation that the port was likely to be visited by British cruisers,
and had slipped awa