the ship, like a vast phantom,
loomed out against the black sky directly ahead, and after a momentary
pause the sharp report of the brass nine-pounder rang out forward, the
flash lighting up the chase for an instant, and bringing every rope,
spar, and sail into clear relief, while the sound was repeated right and
left by the echoing cliffs of the island astern, and the startled sea-
birds wheeled screaming all round us.

No notice was taken by the ship of our polite request that she should
heave-to; on the contrary, every effort seemed to be put forth to get
the canvas set as speedily as possible.

But the brigantine was slipping through the water three feet to their
one, under the influence of the light baffling breeze which came down to
us from over the lofty cliffs astern, and we were soon within hailing
distance.

"Mr Martin, are the starboard guns loaded?" asked Mr Flinn.

"Yes, sir," was the reply. "Loaded with round and grape."

"Then elevate the muzzles of the guns as much as possible, if you
please. I am going to range up alongside on the ship's port quarter,
when we will pour in our broadside and board in the smoke. If we are
not smart, both ships will be ashore on the reefs. Mr Vining, kindly
take charge of the brigantine, with four hands; the rest prepare to
follow me on board the ship."

We were by this time close to the chase, on board which all was dark and
silent as the grave.

"Stand by to heave the grapplings, fore and aft. Now port your helm, my
man--Jones, isn't it? That's right, hard-a-port and run her alongside.
This way, lads, our cat-head is your best chance. Hurroo! boarders
away!" shouted Flinn, and away went the whole party swarming over the
ship's lofty bulwarks helter-skelter, like a parcel of school-boys at
play, our entire starboard broadside going off with a rattling crash at
the same instant.

And then uprose from the deck of the ship an infernal chorus of shrieks,
groans, yells, and curses from those of her crew who had been mown down
by our shot, mingling horribly with the cheers of our people, the oaths
of those who opposed us, the popping of pistols, and the clash of steel.
There were about forty men on board, chiefly Spanish desperadoes, who
fought like incarnate fiends; but they had no chance when once we were
on board, and after contesting every inch of the deck until they, like
the crew of their consort, had been driven aft to the taffrail, in which
obstinate re