CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

THE BELLONA PROCEEDS DOWN THE AFRICAN COAST--OVERHAULS A SUSPICIOUS
DHOW--TOM FINDS HIS OLD ACQUAINTANCE PANGO ON BOARD, AND THE DHOW IS
CONDEMNED--AFTER TOUCHING AT ZANZIBAR, THE BELLONA PROCEEDS TO SIMON'S
BAY--TAKES TROOPS ON BOARD FOR CAFFRARIA--MAJOR BUBSBY AND HIS FAMILY--A
STORM IN THE CABIN--BILLY IN LOVE--A HEAVY SURF ON THE COAST--MACHINERY
GIVES WAY--SHIP ON A LEE SHORE--ATTEMPT TO BEAT OFF--BILLY AND ANGELICA
FALL OUT--THE BELLONA ANCHORS--IN GREAT DANGER--HAS TO STAND OFF SHORE--
A MAN ON A RAFT PICKED UP--INTERESTING INFORMATION--A FIRE BREAKS OUT ON
BOARD--THE MAJOR'S FAMILY LOWERED INTO A BOAT--HE IS DETAINED BY
ANGELICA--THE BOAT DROPPED ASTERN--THE FIRE IS EXTINGUISHED--THE MAJOR
COLDLY RECEIVED BY HIS OFFICERS--THE TROOPS LANDED--THE MAJOR BEGS TO
RETURN IN THE BELLONA--JACK REFUSES, AND SENDS HIM ON SHORE--THE
STRANGER PICKED UP REPORTS HAVING SEEN A SIGNAL ON A LONE ROCK--THE
BELLONA REACHES SIMON'S BAY, AND SAILS IN SEARCH OF THE EMPRESS.

Jack had some hopes on touching at Aden that he might hear something of
the _Empress_, but not a word had been received there of her. Taking in
coal at that sandy and most unattractive of England's possessions, the
_Bellona_ sailed for the Cape. She actually did sail, for the wind was
fair, and Jack, in common with other officers, had received orders to
consume as little coal as possible. A bright look-out was kept for
slavers, and several suspicious-looking craft were overhauled, but as
the black-looking individuals found on board appeared to be either part
of the crew or passengers, they were allowed to proceed on their voyage.

Some time before Zanzibar was reached, a dhow was seen early one morning
becalmed. Some hours previously the _Bellona_ had got up her steam, and
was cleaving her way rapidly through the smooth water. By altering her
course slightly she was thus able to pass close enough to the dhow to
ascertain her character. As the sun rose, a breeze sprang up, and the
dhow was seen to hoist her largest sail and to stand away for the coast.
As this looked suspicious, a gun was fired, as a signal to her to heave
to. The breeze was increasing, and she might lead the _Bellona_ a
considerable distance out of her course. She took no notice of the
signal, but continued standing on as before, her crew possibly ignorant
of the rate at which the dark-looking stranger could go. Full speed was
put on, and the steamer gained on the ch