ifted considerably nearer the Cuba coast than when she
had been captured. Bates, who was vigilant on every point, kept
continually going below, while he turned his eye frequently towards the
distant land. The watch was nearly out when, as he listened, he fancied
he heard the sound of oars in the water. He well knew the sort of
characters who inhabited the quays scattered about on that part of the
coast of Cuba, and that if they had discovered the condition of the
vessel they might have seen before sunset, they would be very likely to
come out and try to capture her. He at once, therefore, sent down to
call Roger, who was on deck in a moment.

"We must be prepared, at all events," said Roger; and, the other watch
being called, such of the pirate's guns as remained undamaged were
loaded and run out. The necessary preparations for the defence were
quickly made. In a short time the sound of approaching boats became
more clearly audible. Roger was of opinion that there were three of
them, each pulling a good number of oars.

"We must not stand on any ceremony," observed Roger. "They are certain
not to be coming with any good intentions, and the sooner we send them
to the right-about the better. We will therefore fire at them as soon
as we can see them clearly enough to take a steady aim." He gave the
orders to his crew. Bates meantime had gone below to have a look at the
prisoners; he found them considerably excited; they had overheard the
remarks of the seamen, and knew that boats were approaching. They were
probably too well aware of the character their crews. Bates had turned
his lantern round on all the prisoners, and they appeared to be fast
bound as before. He charged the sentries, however, to be very vigilant,
suggesting to them that their lives would be the first to be sacrificed
should the prisoners break loose. He then returned on deck, just in
time to assist in firing the guns, as the strange boats came in sight.
The guns must have been well aimed, for they could hear two of the shots
strike, shrieks and cries rising from the boats, telling that several
had been wounded. The third, however, came on, when Bates, who had
carefully trained his gun, fired; almost the instant afterwards she had
disappeared; the shot had gone through her. Crowded with men she must
have sunk immediately. Whether any were saved it was impossible to say.

"They brought their fate upon themselves," observed Roger. "We ha