ra firma_--and in the exuberance of my gratification I gave orders
to "splice the main brace" preparatory to the troublesome and laborious
task of getting the guns and ballast on board once more.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

THE PIRATES ATTEMPT A NIGHT ATTACK UPON THE "FOAM."

The men were busily discussing their "nip" of grog when, mechanically
glancing over the black surface of the water which lay spread out on all
sides of the ship, my gaze was arrested by a sudden phosphorescent flash
on our starboard beam, which was now turned in the direction of the
islands we had been watching so suspiciously earlier on in the night.
Looking intently I caught it again, and yet again, three or four times.

The gunner at that moment approached me to report that the men were all
ready to turn-to once more, upon which I directed his attention to the
point at which I had noticed the mysterious appearance, and asked him if
he could see anything.

Shading his eyes with his hand, he looked earnestly in the direction
indicated.

"N-o, sir, I can't say as I can," replied he, after a good long look;
"you see, sir, it's so precious dark just now that there's no--eh, what
was that? I thought I seed something just then, sir," as another flash
appeared, this time sensibly nearer the ship than before.

"So did I," I replied; "and it is my belief, Tompion, that what we saw
is neither more nor less than the phosphorescent flash of oars in the
water. If I am not mistaken there is a boat out there trying to steal
down and catch us unawares. Just go to the men, please, and pass the
word for them to go _quietly_ to quarters, and see that the starboard
broadside guns are loaded with grape."

Courtenay just then emerged from the companion with a lighted cigar in
his mouth, which he had helped himself to in the brief interval of rest
following the floating of the schooner. The spark at the end of the
weed glowed brightly in the intense darkness, and could probably be seen
for a considerable distance.

"Dowse that cigar, Courtenay, _quick_!" I exclaimed, as I moved to his
side, "and tell me if you can hear or see anything over there."

Instinctively guessing at an alarm of some kind from the quarter I had
indicated, my shipmate stepped to the opposite side of the deck, dropped
his cigar over the rail, and rejoined me.

"Now then, what is it, Lascelles?" he asked; "is there anything wrong?
and why are the men mustering at quarters?"

"Look ove