oats. Lower the starboard quarter boat,
and pick up the man in the water. What is it all about?"

"The pirate, sir--the villain, Zappa was in that boat. Shoot him--stop
him, Mr Saltwell, I say!" exclaimed the colonel, scarcely able to speak
from his agitation and rage.

"Sentries, fire at the men in that boat," said Mr Saltwell, in a calm
tone, which sobered down all who heard him to the proper pitch for
comprehending orders. "Hand up a dozen muskets from below, and some
ammunition. Lower the larboard quarter boat, and give chase after that
fellow."

Each order was obeyed with the rapidity with which it was given; but in
lowering the starboard gig, the after falls got jammed, and her head
came right into the water, and almost filled her. This delay prevented
the other gig from going in chase, till she had picked up the people in
the water, and taken them on board; but all caused delay, and both boats
set off in chase nearly together.

Meantime Zappa heard the noise on deck, and guessed that the colonel was
explaining who he was, and that he should soon have the boats sent after
him.

"Pull till your sinews crack, my friends," he shouted to his men. "We
have no child's play now; but keep a good heart, and we shall get
clear."

Just as he spoke, he looked back at the brig, he saw the barrel of a
musket glancing in the sun, and a shot came flying over his head.
Another followed, and buried itself in the pile of nets against which he
leaned.

"If they have no better shot among them we need not fear," he shouted.
"Keep a good heart, my men. The _Zoe_ will be close outside, and, when
we reach her, we may set the boat at defiance."

He was, by this time, nearly an eighth of a mile from the _Ione_, and
pulling directly out towards the mouth of the harbour. Several other
musket-shots had been fired at him, and hit a man in the side, and
severely hurt him, but he still declared himself able to keep at his
oar.

A long brass gun had, however, been got up on the poop, which, loaded
with musket-balls, was let fly at them. The shower fell thick around
them, and had it not been for the shelter of the nets, more than one
shot might have proved fatal to Zappa.

Another pirate was wounded, but, fortunately, not enough to disable him,
or their prospect of escape would have been much diminishes. The man
turned pale as he tried to bind a handkerchief round his arm to stop the
bleeding; but he still continued tugging