innace ranged up alongside, several shots were fired and assegais
hurled at them, one of which, whizzing close to Adair's ear, stuck
quivering in the sternsheets as he was springing up the side. The
dauntless seamen, however, were not to be stopped by their show of
weapons and threatening gestures. In spite of the Arabs, who cut and
slashed right and left with their two-handed swords, several of the
bluejackets were about to spring up the vessel's side, when one of the
former, aiming a blow at the head of the boat-hook, with which Jerry
Bird was holding on, cut it right through; and at the same instant some
of the Arab crew, who had in the meantime been bending on fresh
halyards, hoisted away on the sail, the dhow forging ahead.

"Fire at those fellows!" cried Adair to the small-armed men; who,
letting fly with their muskets, bowled over three at once. The oars
were meantime again got out, and the sail having come down on deck, the
boat once more dashed up, this time making for the starboard bow. Jerry
took the precaution of making fast with a stout rope; and, led by Adair,
all hands were quickly on board, two more of the Arabs being shot down.

The others, however, still bravely attempted to defend their vessel,
wielding their weapons with the same vigour as before; but, desperate as
they were, they could not withstand the British cutlasses, and were
driven aft for refuge in the cabin, crying out for mercy. All this time
shrieks and groans arose from the hold, while the vilest of odours, a
mixture of everything abominable, pervaded the vessel, leaving not a
doubt, even had the crew not attempted to defend her, that she was a
full slaver, and a legal capture.

"Hand over your arms," cried Adair, "and we'll spare your lives." It is
possible some one among the Arabs might have understood English; at all
events, the whole of the crew soon hurried up and handed over their
swords and other weapons to the victors.

"Tumble their arms into the pinnace," said Adair; "we must have that
other dhow. Gordon and Desmond, I'll leave you with five men to manage
these fellows, while I go in chase of her. If I take her, keep close to
me. Signalise should they show any inclination to be mutinous, and I'll
bear down and help you. I'll leave you the canoe; we shall make better
way without her." Saying this, Adair shoved off and pulled away in
chase of the third dhow.

The first care of the midshipmen was to complete the task