now,
to Fleetwood's grief, came up together, one pulling for each quarter.

"Load once more, Raby, and pass two of the muskets forward," he
exclaimed. "As they hook on, we will all fire together, two on each
side; then, with our pistols, shoot those who are attempting to grapple
the boat, and trust to our cutlasses for the rest. The moment we can
free ourselves we will again take to our oars; and I hope we may give
them such a taste of our quality, that the rest may not wish to molest
us."

"We'll do our best," was the unanimous cry, for all saw that Fleetwood's
proposal, however desperate, was the only one to afford them the chance
of escape. It would have been as great folly to have trusted to the
mercy of pirates, such as they were, as it is to confide in the honour
or fair dealing of grasping, money-loving rogues on shore, more
especially of those who fancy that they have the protection of the laws
to shelter them, while they carry out their nefarious projects. The two
leading boats were close to them, while the others were some way astern,
with the mistico, which was bringing up the breeze, nearly abreast of
the latter.

"Now," exclaimed Fleetwood, throwing in his oar, and seizing a musket,
as the bows of the two boats came up with their counter, "fire."

The order was obeyed, and a man in each boat was seen to fall, but it
did not check them, and they dashed alongside. The gallant adventurers
drew their pistols, and fired them with equally good aim, for two more
of their opponents fell wounded; and then grasping their cutlasses used
them with such effect, that for some minutes their assailants were kept
at bay, without either of themselves receiving a wound. Suddenly, in
the midst of the clashing of swords and the cries of the combatants,
Jack Raby jumped up on the seat at the risk of being cut down by the
enemy; and, while he was still using his sword with one liana, he put
the other to his mouth, and shouted out at the top of His voice--

"_Ione_--ahoy--ahoy! I thought so, I thought so," he exclaimed, as a
faint hail came across the waters. "I thought I heard their hail before
we fired."

On hearing this, Fleetwood and the rest simultaneously joined in the cry
of--

"_Ione_--ahoy--ahoy!"

If, however, it had the effect of letting their friends know where they
were, it also made the pirates see the necessity of finishing the affair
without delay, if they would secure their prize. A tall figure