ese, with a
brigantine, which, as Needham remarked, from truck to kelson had the cut
of a slaver.

"We will take them all, lads, never fear. They have got into a net, and
it will be a hard matter for them to make their way out again. The
truth is, they thought we should never find our way up here; but they
have discovered their mistake, and have made their last voyages with
blackies aboard, I hope."

The boats were pulling on steadily towards the first brig, a beautiful
vessel, with sharp bows and clean run; she would be a prize worth
having, Jack knew, as she would give no end of trouble to the British
cruisers engaged in the suppression of the slave-trade. A number of men
were seen on board, but, as the flotilla approached, they jumped into
their boats and pulled for the shore. The brig was immediately boarded,
when not a soul was found in her, though she had her cargo on board; she
was completely fitted for the slave-trade. Jack, suspecting treachery,
had her thoroughly examined.

"All's right, sir," said Needham. "The crew were in too great a fright
to think of anything but saving themselves, or they might, to be sure,
have laid a slow match to the magazine, and tried to blow us up. The
only pity is that she has no sails on board. It will be a job to know
what to do with her."

Jack had, in the meantime, sent the other boats to take possession of
the second brig. This also was abandoned by her crew. She, too, was
found fully fitted for the slave-trade. They now headed the boats
towards the ship, the broadside of which having been brought to bear on
them, she was apparently prepared for a determined resistance. Ordering
Adair to pull for her stern and Higson for the bows, Jack and Needham
dashed up alongside. As they approached the ship opened fire with
round, grapeshot, and musketry, but, as is often the case, when men
fight in a bad cause, the slaver's crew took uncertain aim, and no one
was hurt in either of the boats. The Brazilians had soon cause to
repent of their folly in attempting to defend themselves; the English
seamen quickly climbing up the side, they at once gave way, and rushing
across the deck sprang overboard, and attempted to swim towards the
shore. Some of the seamen, enraged at the opposition they had made,
picked up the muskets from the decks, and would have fired after their
retreating foe, had not Jack, as on a previous occasion, stopped them.

"Let the wretches, though the