ook him
to swallow a cup of tea.

It was very true; a galliot and four lateen vessels had just made their
appearance round the easternmost point, and, as soon as they observed
the frigate, had hauled their wind. In a minute the _Aurora_ was under
a press of canvas, and the telescopes were all directed to the vessels.

"All deeply laden, sir," observed Mr Hawkins, the chaplain; "how the
topsail of the galliot is scored!"

"They have a fresh breeze just now," observed Captain Wilson to the
first lieutenant.

"Yes, sir, and it's coming down fast."

"Hands by the royal halyards, there."

The _Aurora_ careened with the canvas to the rapidly increasing breeze.

"Top-gallant sheet and halyards."

"Luff you may, quarter-master; luff, I tell you. A small pull of that
weather maintop-gallant brace--that will do," said the master.

"Top-men aloft there;--stand by to clew up the royals--and, Captain
Wilson, shall we take them in?--I'm afraid of that pole--it bends now
like a coach-whip," said Mr Pottyfar, looking up aloft, with his hands
in both pockets.

"In royals--lower away."

"They are going about, sir," said the second lieutenant, Mr Haswell.

"Look out," observed the chaplain, "it's coming." Again the breeze
increased, and the frigate was borne down.

"Hands reef topsails in stays, Mr Pottyfar."

"Ay, ay, sir--'bout ship."

The helm was put down and the topsails lowered and reefed in stays.

"Very well, my lads, very well indeed," said Captain Wilson.

Again the topsails were hoisted and top-gallant sheets home. It was a
strong breeze, although the water was smooth, and the _Aurora_ dashed
through at the rate of eight miles an hour, with her weather leeches
lifting.

"Didn't I tell you so?" said Martin to his mess-mates on the gangway;
"but there's more yet, my boys."

"We must take the top-gallant sails off her," said Captain Wilson,
looking aloft--for the frigate now careened to her bearings, and the
wind was increasing and squally. "Try them a little longer;" but
another squall came suddenly--the halyards were lowered, and the sails
clewed up and furled.

In the meantime the frigate had rapidly gained upon the vessels, which
still carried on every stitch of canvas, making short tacks in-shore.
The _Aurora_ was again put about with her head towards them, and they
were not two points on her weather bow. The sky, which had been clear
in the morning, was now overcast, the sun was obscured with