ars, men, and help
her along. The wind is freshening already. If it rises much more the brig
will run away from us."

The wind indeed got up rapidly, and the oars had to be laid in while the
cutter was still a mile off from the brig. She had evidently been
observed, and an attempt was being made to hoist some of the upper sails
that had been lowered; but the boat was now flying through the water, and
in a quarter of an hour ran up on the leeward side of the brig. The sails
were dropped, the bow man caught hold of the chains with his boat-hook,
and Stephen and the rest of the crew at once scrambled on board cutlass in
hand.

There was, however, no resistance. The crew of the brig were as numerous
as the boarders, but the successes of the Chilians had created such an
effect that the captain cried out, as they leaped on board, that they
surrendered. Stephen's first order was to get the cutter up, and tackles
were soon hooked on to her, and she was raised from the water and laid
bottom upwards on deck. While this was being done the Peruvian crew were
ordered to shorten sail.

It was none too soon, for the brig was heeling far over, and the wind
momentarily increasing in strength. The Chilians gave a cheer as soon as
the boat was safely on board, and in a very short time the sail was
reduced to double-reefed top-sails. Under these and a storm-jib she was
laid head to wind. The sky was now entirely obscured, the land was no
longer visible, and the sea was beginning to rise.

"Is it going to be a heavy gale, do you think?" Stephen asked the Peruvian
captain.

"Very heavy, I think. I have seen it coming on since daybreak, but I hoped
to get to Callao before it burst. We are heavily laden, and in no state
for facing a great gale."

"What have you on board?"

"Military stores and ammunition."

"Any money?"

"I believe so, senor. There are twenty boxes sealed up in the lazarette."

"Now, tell me what you would have done if we had not captured you? You
know your ship better than I do. Would you lie-to or let her run?"

"I should put her before the wind, senor, and at once; it will be
dangerous to do so when the sea gets up."

"Well, put two of your best men at the helm, captain, and give them the
necessary orders. I know what ought to be done, but I do not know enough
of your language to make sure that I shall not make a mistake. Man the
braces, all hands," he shouted. "Now, obey the captain's orders as if they
were