we should carry the
wind with us until we are pretty close to them."

Every sail the cutter could carry was hoisted, and she approached the two
vessels rapidly. They were some four miles from them when the sails of the
schooner filled and she began to move through the water.

"It will be a long chase now," Will said; "but the cutter has light wings,
so we have a good chance of overhauling her."

"The sails of the ship are all anyhow, sir," Harman said.

"So they are, Mr. Harman; foul play has been going on there, I have not
the least doubt. The fact that the crew are not making any effort to haul
in her sheets and come to meet us is in itself a proof of it. I think it
is our duty to board her and see what has taken place. Even if we allow
the schooner to escape we shall light upon her again some day, I have no
doubt."

"She is very low in the water," he said, after examining the merchantman
carefully through his telescope, "and either her cargo is of no value to
the pirates, and they have allowed it to remain in her, or they have
scuttled her."

"I am afraid it is that, sir," Dimchurch said, "for she is certainly lower
in the water than when I first saw her."

"You are right, Dimchurch, the scoundrels have scuttled her. Please God we
shall get to her before she founders! Oh for a stronger wind! Do you think
we could row there quicker than we sail?"

"No, sir. The gig might go as fast as the cutter, but the other boat would
not be able to keep pace with her."

"Well, make all preparations for lowering. Heaven only knows what tragedy
may have taken place there."

After all had been got ready, every eye on board the cutter was fixed on
the vessel. There was no doubt now that she was getting deeper in the
water every minute. When they got within a quarter of a mile of the ship
she was so low that it was evident she could not float many minutes
longer.

"To the boats, men," Will cried, "row for your lives."

A moment later three boats started at full speed. The gig, in which
Dimchurch and Tom were both rowing, was first to search the sinking ship.
Will leapt on board at once, and as he did so he gave an exclamation of
horror, for the deck was strewn with dead bodies. Without stopping to look
about him he ran aft to the companion and went down to the cabin, which
was already a foot deep in water. There he found some fifteen men and
women sitting securely bound on the sofas. Will drew his dirk, and running
along