the world like a small bird trying to
escape from a hawk just ready to pounce down on it, and I hope we shall
just come in to play the big eagle, and save her out of its claws."

"She's the very same craft as we chased into harbour this blessed night,
I shouldn't wonder," remarked Tom Derrick, who had been one of the
cutter's crew. "It would be a real pleasure to get hold of her, to
string up every one of the villains at the yard-arm, for wounding poor
Mr Linton; I should be sorry, indeed, if he was to lose the number of
his mess."

"So should I, old ship, and if ever we get an opportunity, won't we just
pay off the murdering rascals for what they have done," said Hawkins.
"My eyes, look there, how the big one is peppering the little chap; one
would think she hadn't a whole plank left in her, and yet she stands on
as bravely as if there warn't such a thing as a round-shot within a
hundred miles of her."

Such was truly the case; the shot from the long guns of the mistico must
have flown close over her, and on either side; and, probably, several
had gone through her sail, but seemingly none had touched her hull. The
_Ione_ had now opened the mistico free of the boat to the northward.

"Stand by with the foremost starboard gun," cried Mr Saltwell, as they
did so. This was a long nine of brass, while the other guns were
carronades. "Fire!"

The gunner, who considered himself a first-rate marksman, pointed the
gun, and the shot going well clear of the boat, struck the mistico on
the quarter, and those who were watching her with their glasses declared
that they could see the splinters flying from her. Still, so eager was
she in the pursuit, that she would not haul her wind, seemingly
determined not to do so till she had sunk the chase. This there
appeared every chance that she would do, for she had now got awfully
near her, and it was surprising that her small-arm men had not contrived
to pick off the helmsman, when the boat would, of course, have broached
to, and have been her own. Mr Saltwell again gave the order to fire as
fast as the gun could be loaded and run out, but the skill of Mr Black
did not shine so brilliantly as at the first attempt he made, though
they went near enough to show the pirates what they were to expect if
they persisted in their attempt.

"Have the larboard gun ready there. Hands about ship," cried the first
lieutenant.

Bound came the brig, and the gun was let fly. The shot struc