obbled it
up with evident gusto. He smacked his lips, also, after tasting the
pannikin of grog which Jerry offered him, and though he put it down
again once or twice, as if doubting about the matter, he finally drained
it to the dregs.

"I thought as how you'd like it," said Jerry, patting him on the back;
"you shall have another presently, and you won't have to say that we
treated you with scant hospitality. That ain't our way aboard ship."

Adair, however, interfered, and prevented the men from giving the old
chief as much liquor as they were ready to bestow on him, lest he might
get drunk, and take it into his head to run a-muck or jump overboard.
He had taken enough, however, to send him fast asleep in the bottom of
the boat, where he lay, as Jerry observed, "like a porpus in a gale of
wind."

CHAPTER FIVE.

THREE DHOWS CHASED--ONE IS CAPTURED AND LEFT IN CHARGE OF DESMOND AND
ARCHIE--FRIGHTFUL CONDITION OF SLAVES ON BOARD--HORRIBLE CRUELTIES
PRACTISED BY ARABS--JERRY BIRD SETS THE SLAVES DANCING TO KEEP UP THEIR
SPIRITS--DESMOND'S WATCH--HE AND ARCHIE THROWN OVERBOARD.

As the breeze continued light and favourable, the boat ran on all night
under easy sail. A bright look-out was kept, however, in the
possibility of meeting a dhow creeping along-shore. Just as morning
dawned, and they arrived abreast of a deep bay which Adair intended to
explore, three dhows were seen standing out from under the land, with
their wide spread of canvas wooing the light breeze.

It was pretty evident that the boat had been discovered. Adair
therefore ordered the crew to lower the sails, and to take to their
oars, which they did with right goodwill, hoping to catch two, at least,
of the strangers in sight.

The smallest and leading vessel showed Arab colours. A shot across her
fore-foot quickly made her haul them down. The other two exhibited no
bunting. From the efforts they were making to escape, it was pretty
evident they were full slavers. As soon as Adair reached the first
dhow, he leaped on board; but a glance told him that she was a legal
trader, with not a slave in her, as far as he could judge; although
there were several black men, whom the negoda affirmed belonged to the
vessel.

"We'll give you the advantage of believing you," said Adair, jumping
back into his boat, which pulled away to the nearest of the other
vessels. Just then she lowered her sail.

"Hurrah!" cried Desmond; "she has given in."