t," observed Devereux, as they came in sight of it.

Bruff, in consequence of this, at once divided his men, sending one
party to the right, another to the left, while he advanced directly
towards the hut, keeping, however, under such shelter as the cocoa-nut
trees and bushes afforded. Whether the generalship was good might be
doubted, for should the pirates break out, they might overwhelm one of
the smaller parties, and make good their retreat to another part of the
island, where they might hold out till the frigate was compelled to
leave the coast. This was Reuben's opinion, which he imparted to Paul.
Still the enemy did not appear. The parties closed in--not a shot was
fired. "Charge!" shouted Bruff. The door was burst open--the hut was
empty. There were treasures of all sorts scattered about, which the
pirates had not time to pack up when they hurriedly left the island.

The crew of the _Cerberus_ very naturally wished to take possession of
the plunder, but Bruff called them together, and ordered them to proceed
at once to the mound where Devereux and O'Grady thought that the pirates
must have gone. It was hot work. They stopped for a few seconds at the
fountain to wash the sand out of their throats, and pushed on. The hill
was soon in sight. The place looked naturally strong.

"The fellows are there, for they are cutting down the trees already,"
cried O'Grady. "If we could but wait for an hour or so, they'd be
pretty well ready for us, and we should get heaps of honour and glory in
taking them."

"Thank you, Paddy, but we'll not give them time to get ready," answered
Bruff. "On, lads, on!"

So busily engaged were the pirates, that the English were close up to
the mound, for hill it was not, before they perceived that their enemies
were on them. Led on by Bruff and the other midshipmen, the seamen
clambered up the hill in spite of all obstacles. The pirates stood to
their arms and fought desperately. They were a fierce set of ruffians.
The hairy baboon, as O'Grady called the man who had seized Paul on the
rock, led them on. Their captain, probably, had been killed, for he
seemed to be the principal officer among them. Among gentry of that
class, when the day is going against them, no one is anxious to be
looked upon as a leader. Whether he wished it or not, however, the
hairy baboon was a conspicuous object. With three brace of pistols
stuck in his belt, his arms bare, and a huge sword in his