could carry one or two small guns, and so keep down the enemy's
fire to some extent. Send for Gilmore."

In a few minutes Will entered the captain's cabin cap in hand.

"Mr. Farrance tells me, Mr. Gilmore, that you have an idea that by
collecting a number of native craft of shallow draught we might attack the
pirates with some hope of success."

"It was only an idea, sir, that occurred to me on the spur of the moment."

"Well, I am inclined to regard it as a feasible one," the captain said. "A
dozen boats of that kind would carry the greater part of the ship's crew,
and if each had a couple of light cannon on board they would be able to
answer the enemy's fire. If I do attack in this manner I propose to send
the boats in towing behind the native craft, so that when the enemy's fire
becomes really heavy the men can take their places in these, and so be in
shelter until close enough to make a dash. Is there any other suggestion
you can offer I?"

"No, sir. The plan of taking the boats certainly seems to me to be a good
one."

The captain smiled a little. He was not accustomed to have his plans
approved of by midshipmen. However, he only said: "I think it will work.
Should any other suggestion occur to you, you will mention it to Mr.
Farrance. I am really obliged to you for the idea, which does great credit
to your sharpness."

"Thank you, sir!" said Will, and retired.

An hour later the frigate was sailing away from the sand-banks.

"What did the old man say?" the midshipmen asked Will as he rejoined them.

"He thinks that there was something in the idea, but of course he has
greatly improved it. He means to send the boats towing behind the native
craft, so that if the fire gets very heavy the men can take to them and be
towed in perfect shelter until near enough to make a rush. He intends to
put a gun or two in each of the native boats, to keep down the enemy's
fire a bit as they approach."

"That is an improvement," Forster said, "and it certainly seems, Gilmore,
as if you had found a way out of our dilemma."

Those who had been most disposed to laugh at Will's suggestion were eager
to congratulate him now that the captain had expressed his approval of it
and had adopted it.

The _Furious_ sailed direct for Port Royal. There was no fear that the
pirates would abandon their island, for they would naturally take the
retirement of the _Furious_ as an admission of defeat. They were, of
course, open to a boat