nd were, like the
rest, bound and gagged.

"You take the helm, Halkett," Joe said, and then hurried forward.

"Have you got them all?" he asked, as he reached the fo'castle.

"Every man Jack," one of the sailors said.

"Is there nobody on watch in the bows?"

"No, sir, not a man."

"Very well. Now then, to work.

"Cut the cable, Thompson.

"The rest of you, let fall the sails."

As these had only been loosely furled, when the vessel came to
anchor, this was done in a very short time; and the vessel began to
move through the water before the light breeze, which was dead aft.

The capture of the polacre had not been effected so silently. Bob
had allowed the boatswain, who accompanied him, to mount the ladder
first; but the man at the top of the gangway had a lantern and, as
its light fell upon the sailor's face, he uttered an exclamation of
surprise; which called the attention of those on deck and, as the
sailors swarmed up the ladder, shouts of alarm were raised. But the
Spaniards could not withstand the rush of the English, who beat
them to the deck before they had time to seize their arms.

The noise, however, alarmed the watch below; who were just pouring
up from the hatchway when they were attacked by the sailors with
drawn cutlasses, and were speedily beaten below, and the hatches
secured over them. Bob had posted himself, with two of the men, at
the cabin door; and as the officers rushed out, on hearing the
noise, they were knocked down and secured. As soon as this was
effected, Bob looked round over the side.

"Hurrah!" he said, "the barque is under way already. Get the sails
on her, lads, and cut the cable."

While this was being done Bob mounted the poop, placed one of the
sailors at the helm, and then turned his eyes towards the battery,
astern. He heard shouts, and had no doubt that the sound of the
scuffle had been heard. Then lights appeared in several of the
casements and, just as the sails were sheeted home, and the polacre
began to move through the water, a rocket whizzed up from the
battery, and burst overhead. By its light Bob saw the Antelope and
the Spanish barque, two or three hundred yards ahead; with their
crews getting up all sail, rapidly.

A minute later, twelve heavy guns flashed out astern, one after
another. They were pointed too high, and the shot flew overhead,
one or two passing through the sails. The boatswain's voice was
heard, shouting:

"Never mind the shot, lads!