he deck.

Efforts had been made, by slacking the ropes and altering the set
of the sails, to give the brig as slovenly an appearance as
possible. The guns had been run in and the portholes closed and, as
the Spaniard approached, the crew--with the exception of five or
six men--were ordered to keep below the bulwarks.

The course that the Spaniard was taking would have brought her just
under the stern of the Antelope when, suddenly, she was seen to
change her course, and to bear up into the wind.

"Too late, my lady," the captain said; "you have blundered on too
long.

"There is something in our cut that she doesn't like. Haul down
that Spanish flag, and run the Union Jack up.

"Open ports, lads, and show them our teeth. Fire that bow gun
across her forefoot!"

The guns were already loaded; and as soon as they were run out a
shot was fired, as a message to the Spaniard to heave to. A minute
later, as she paid no attention, a broadside followed. Three of the
shots went crashing into the side of the Spaniard, and one of her
boats was smashed.

A moment later the Spanish flag fluttered down, and a hearty cheer
broke from the crew of the Antelope. The Spaniard was thrown up
into the wind and, in a few minutes, the brig ranged up alongside,
within pistol shot. The gig was lowered; and the captain rowed
alongside her, taking Bob with him as interpreter.

The prize proved to be a brig, of about the same tonnage as the
Antelope. She was from Cadiz, bound first to Alicante, and then to
Valencia. She carried only six small guns, and a crew of eighteen
men. Her cargo consisted of grain and olive oil.

"Not a bad prize," Captain Lockett said, as Bob read out the items
of her bill of lading. "It is a pity that it is not full up,
instead of only half laden. Still, it is not a bad beginning; and
the craft herself is of a handy size and, if she won't sell at
Gibraltar, will pay very well to take on to England. I should say
she was fast."

An hour later the two brigs parted company, the second mate and
twelve hands being placed on board the Spaniard. There was some
discussion as to the prisoners, but it was finally agreed to leave
them on board their ship.

"Keep them down in the hold, Mr. Crofts. See that you don't leave
any knives with them. Keep a couple of sentries over the hatchway.
If the wind holds, you will be in the bay by tomorrow evening. Keep
pretty well inshore, and slip in as close to the point as you can.