wledge.

Two boats were in the water alongside, and their crews, with cutlasses
in their hands, and pistols in their belts, were ready to start at a
moment's notice. The night was calm and clear, and the shores on either
hand could be distinguished with the dark line of the forest, which
extended down to the water. Silence reigned over the scene, though it
was occasionally broken by strange cries which came out from among the
tall trees, probably the death-shriek of some animal, seized by a
prowling jaguar or puma.

Jack and Terence got all the information they could out of Jose
Gonzalves, who had been frequently up the river, and felt pretty certain
as to the locality where the schooner was likely to be found.

The brig was brought up in a bay or bend of the river, a point running
out ahead, and concealing her from any vessel coming down the stream
till close upon her. This was a disadvantage in one respect, as an
approaching enemy could not, for the same cause, be seen from the
_Supplejack_, and only a short time, therefore, could be allowed for
getting under weigh. Jack had given orders that the bell should not be
struck, lest, should the schooner, or any other vessel, attempt to slip
out, it might give notice of the vicinity of the brig.

Jack and Terence had turned in just about the commencement of the
morning watch. Needham, who was on the lookout, observed beyond the
point above the trees a white spot, on which the light of the moon, just
then emerging from behind a cloud, shone brightly. Guessing at once,
that it was the head of the schooner's fore-topgallant-sail, he sent to
call the commander. Jack and Terence were on deck in an instant; the
latter jumped into one of the boats and pulled across the stream to
intercept the stranger, while Jack ordered the anchor to be got up, and
sail to be made. The wind came off from the shore on the starboard
side, so that though the schooner might manage to get out, the brig
could also make her way up the stream.

"We shall catch her now, at all events--she is trapped," said Jack to
Needham. The schooner's jib was seen coming round the point, which she
was compelled to hug closely. Jack might have done better by remaining
at anchor, as the schooner would not have so soon discovered the foe
lying in wait for her. Directly the brig was perceived she put up her
helm, and, quickly easing off her mainsheet, ran again up the river with
the wind on her starboard qu