ould have gone
overboard but for the efforts of his men, who caught and lowered him
back amidst a little scene of confusion and a cessation of the rowing.

Another shot rang out and there was more confusion, the way of the
leading boat being stopped; but the orders issued in the other boats
were plainly heard on board the schooner; oars splashed more rapidly,
and once more all three boats were coming on fast.

"Fire!" cried the skipper, and with slow regularity shot after shot rang
out, to be followed by a ragged volley from the enemy, the bullets
whizzing overhead and pattering amongst the rigging of the well-moored
vessel, but doing no real harm.

"Keep it up steadily, my lads," shouted the skipper. "No hurry. One
hit is worth five hundred misses. We mustn't let them board if we can
keep them back. Go on firing till they are close up, and then cutlasses
and bars."

But in spite of the steady defence the enemy came on, showing no sign of
shrinking, firing rapidly and responding to their officers' orders with
savage defiant yells, while shots came thick and fast, the two lads
growing so excited as they watched the fray that they forgot the danger
and the nearness of the enemy coming on.

"They are showing more pluck this time, Burgess," said the skipper,
taking out his revolver and unconsciously turning the chambers to see
that all was right.

"Yes," growled the mate. "It's a horrible nuisance, for I don't want to
fight. But we've made rather a mess of it, after all."

"What do you mean?" said the skipper. "Ought to have dropped that other
anchor."

"Why?" said the skipper sharply. "Because they may row right up and cut
us adrift."

"Yes," said the skipper quietly; "it would have been as well. Take a
rifle and go forward if they try to pass us, and pick off every man who
attempts to cut the cable."

"All right," replied the mate; "I will if there is time. But in five
minutes we shall be busy driving these chaps back into their boats, and
they will be swarming up the sides like so many monkeys."

"Yes," said the skipper. "But you must do it if there _is_ time. They
don't seem to mind our firing a bit."

"No," Fitz heard the chief officer growl angrily. "Their blood's up,
and they are too stupid, I suppose."

"Cease firing!" shouted the skipper. "Here they come!" The order came
too late to check six of the men, who in their excitement finished off
their regular shots with a ragged volley di