o
quarters, a gun fired, and the colours run up as the course of the
_Nautilus_ was again altered so as to cut the schooner off, and in due
time a second gun gave out its puff of smoke.

But no heed was taken, and the schooner kept along close in shore till
her captain saw that escape was impossible in the direction he was
taking, and altering his helm, the swift vessel glided round and made
off in the opposite direction.

But the _Nautilus_ was again too quick for her, and in a few minutes was
once more hard in chase and sending shot after shot, till one better
directed than the rest went through her maintopmast.

The crew of the _Nautilus_ sent up a tremendous cheer as the great spar
came down with its gaff sail, leaving the schooner for the time like a
bird with a broken wing.

"We shall have her now for certain," said Bob Howlett.

"Yes; and she has shown no colours," replied Mark; "but suppose she does
not turn out to be a slaver, after all."

"Suppose pigs were to fly," cried Bob. "She's a slaver for certain, and
we've got her."

"Doesn't look like it," replied his companion; "where's she making for
now? Why, she sails as well as ever."

This was a slight exaggeration, but all the same the vessel glided along
rapidly, and through the glasses the crew could be seen rapidly cutting
away the damaged rigging, while her helm was manipulated so that she
appeared to be sailing right for the shore.

Another shot and another was fired, but not the slightest heed was paid;
and as the _Nautilus_ went swiftly on, it was noted that, unseen before,
there was a narrow river running up through the trees, with its regular
fringe of mangroves, and the schooner was being steered for this.

"She'll get right up that river, after all," said Mark, who in the
excitement had forgotten all his past illness, and appeared to be as
strong as ever.

"Not she. We shall have her first, my lad. Hurray! look, she has given
in. They've stopped and surrendered."

"She has struck on one of the banks, sir," cried Lieutenant Staples,
excitedly, for the schooner's way through the water had suddenly ceased,
and she slowly swung round broadside on, with her sails shivering and
flapping.

"A prize at last!" cried Mark, as the men cheered, and the _Nautilus_
glided on, till, when they were about a quarter of a mile away, Mr
Russell announced that a couple of boats were leaving the schooner, and
it was seen that her captain and crew we