lining on some jackets and
cloaks which Jack Raby spread out for her, she saw no more of what took
place, though the noise of the firing soon ceasing told her that they
had shut in the brig by the western cliffs.

"Remain where you are, dearest," said Fleetwood, as she was about to
rise. "We may still have some shot sent after us, when the boats, which
will probably pursue us, get outside; and though, with the start we
have, they are not likely to take good aim, a fatal one may come on
board; and think, Ada, of how little use would be the risk we have run,
if you were to be the victim. But do not be alarmed; no enemy has yet
approached."

I do not know if I have explained clearly the position of the boat: she
was at this time about an eighth of a mile from the lofty cliffs which
formed the western side of the bay, with her head to the west, going at
the rate of between four and five knots an hour, which was the utmost
speed with which, with all their exertions, they could urge her through
the water. The cleft in the rock, as now the entrance of the harbour
appeared to be, was seen over their starboard quarter, and in that
direction their eyes were anxiously turned for the appearance of the
boats they fully expected would follow them. A new danger also appeared
from a quarter they had not expected, for along the summit of the
cliffs, as seen against the bright blue sky, they could discern some
figures running at full speed, and they were not left long in doubt as
to their intentions. The persons halted, and the bright barrels of
their guns gleamed in the moonlight, as they brought them to their
shoulders and fired. Several balls flew by them, and one struck the
gunnel of the boat, though, fortunately, no other damage was done. The
pirates kept shouting out their threats of vengeance, and firing away,
apparently to intimidate the fugitives, little understanding the
character of the people with whom they had to deal.

Here, of course, Ada was exposed to as much danger as the rest; and
though Fleetwood would have joyfully interposed his own person to
preserve her, it was impossible for him to do so, and all he could do
was to entreat her to remain down as much as possible under the seat,
and to redouble his efforts at the oar.

"We shall soon be beyond the range of those fellows' guns!" he
exclaimed. "But ah, there's a boat's bow creeping out from between the
rocks. We've a good start of her, however. Give way