ses which the man
handed quickly to the girl, but the other things were chiefly articles
of clothing, with two or three jewel-hilted daggers, a short sword, and
a brace of long-barrelled, beautifully mounted pistols. He had been
apparently not desirous to allow the English officers to see the
contents of his chest. As soon as it was filled, having locked it, he
produced a stout rope and lashed it in a seamanlike manner.

"Now, sir, my wife and I are ready," he said, throwing a cloak over the
girl's head, with which she could conceal her features. "If your people
will lend me a hand to get this chest into the boat, I shall be
obliged," he continued. "As you say, sir, the craft is not very
seaworthy, and since I made you out I have neglected to keep the pump
going. I have been compelled to work at it for several hours every day,
or the leak would soon have gained on me."

The man as he spoke seemed perfectly cool and collected, and not at all
unwilling to go on board the ship of war. The chest, which was somewhat
heavy, was lowered into the boat, with the aid of a tackle which the
owner produced. He and his wife then followed, taking their seats in
the stern sheets. As the boat pulled away from the junk Jack observed
that she had sunk already much lower in the water than when he went on
board, and seemed to be settling down astern.

"That craft has sprung a fresh leak since we saw her first," observed
one of the crew, who had remained in the boat looking at the stranger.
"I heard a curious noise as we were alongside, as if water was rushing
in under the counter. We should have let you know if you hadn't come to
the side with the chest."

These words were spoken loud enough to be heard aft. Tom fancied that
he detected a peculiar expression pass over Jull's countenance, but the
man immediately resumed his unconcerned look, and spoke to his wife as
if endeavouring to quiet her apparent alarm.

The chest was hoisted on board, and the two persons who had been taken
from the junk were allowed to seat themselves on it, while Jack made a
report to Murray of his visit to the junk.

"Her cargo," he observed, "appears to be of considerable value, and it
would be a pity to lose it."

"We might get some of the most valuable portion out of her, but we must
not spend time about it," remarked Murray. "From your account, even
were we to take her in tow, she is not likely to keep above water. We
can afterwards examine