t their shot generally flew over
the boats, which, although the junks sailed well, were rapidly coming up
with them.

"I will take the headmost; you board the other two," sang out the
lieutenant, addressing Tom and Desmond.

In each boat, it should have been said, there were four marines, who, in
return, fired at the junks, taking steady aim, and seldom failing to
kill or wound some of their crews. The channel took several turnings,
which would have been an advantage to the pursuers had they been
acquainted with the navigation, but the fear of running on any rocks or
sand-banks made them keep directly astern of the junks. Presently a
shot struck one of Tom's men, and another knocked an oar to pieces.
This of course caused some delay, and the boat dropped astern. On
rounding a point Tom saw that the junk he had been ordered to board was
in the act of running ashore in a small bay at the further side, while
the other two junks continued their course, pursued by the lieutenant
and Desmond. Tom considered it his duty to attack the one which could
no longer escape him. He was soon alongside; but as he and his men
clambered up on deck the pirates rushed forward, leaped down over the
bows on to the beach, and began to make their way inland. Tom, on
looking round from the more elevated position he had gained, discovered
that the creek ran at the back of the fort, but how far off he could not
tell.

"We must capture some of those fellows; Captain Rogers wants some
prisoners," he sang out, and was about to lead the way over the bows
when Tim Nolan exclaimed, "The villains have set their craft on fire.
She'll be after goin' off like a sky-rocket in another minute."

"Back, back to the boat!" shouted Tom, seeing that Tim's words were
likely to prove true.

The whole party quickly tumbled in, each man trying to be first. Tom
was the last to leave his prize, and followed with no little reluctance.
Shoving off, they pulled away in the direction they had before been
going, to assist, if necessary, the other boats. They had not got far,
however, when Tom caught sight of some of the pirates who had landed.
They halted, and appeared as if they intended to return to the stranded
junk. In their hurry they had thrown down their gingalls, and were
armed only with their swords.

"We must have some of those fellows," cried Tom.

Steering in his boat, he jumped on shore, followed by the marines and
four seamen, while he told Bi