mber. The voices were melodious enough, and the
words of the ditty--chanted by many stout fellows in many a forecastle
before and since--of that character which pleases the soldier nature.
Private Grimes forgot all about the unprotected state of the deck, and
sat down to listen.

While he listened, absorbed in tender recollections, James Lesly,
William Cheshire, William Russen, John Fair, and James Barker slipped to
the hatchway and got upon the deck. Barker reached the aft hatchway as
the soldier who was on guard turned to complete his walk, and passing
his arm round his neck, pulled him down before he could utter a cry.
In the confusion of the moment the man loosed his grip of the musket to
grapple with his unseen antagonist, and Fair, snatching up the weapon,
swore to blow out his brains if he raised a finger. Seeing the sentry
thus secured, Cheshire, as if in pursuance of a preconcerted plan, leapt
down the after hatchway, and passed up the muskets from the arm-racks to
Lesly and Russen. There were three muskets in addition to the one taken
from the sentry, and Barker, leaving his prisoner in charge of Fair,
seized one of them, and ran to the companion ladder. Russen, left
unarmed by this manoeuvre, appeared to know his own duty. He came back
to the forecastle, and passing behind the listening soldier, touched
the singer on the shoulder. This was the appointed signal, and John Rex,
suddenly terminating his song with a laugh, presented his fist in the
face of the gaping Grimes. "No noise!" he cried. "The brig's ours";
and ere Grimes could reply, he was seized by Lyon and Riley, and bound
securely.

"Come on, lads!" says Rex, "and pass the prisoner down here. We've got
her this time, I'll go bail!" In obedience to this order, the now gagged
sentry was flung down the fore hatchway, and the hatch secured. "Stand
on the hatchway, Porter," cries Rex again; "and if those fellows come
up, knock 'em down with a handspoke. Lesly and Russen, forward to the
companion ladder! Lyon, keep a look-out for the boat, and if she comes
too near, fire!"

As he spoke the report of the first musket rang out. Barker had
apparently fired up the companion hatchway.

* * * * *

When Mr. Bates had gone below, he found Sylvia curled upon the cushions
of the state-room, reading. "Well, missy!" he said, "we'll soon be on
our way to papa."

Sylvia answered by asking a question altogether fore