hour running down
this coast; but with a fair wind we shall get there in less time. Where
shall you go to when you get to the Cape?"

"I must get up to Natal as soon as I can," replied Hans; "but I know not
how to do that I have no money, and know no one there. Hark to the
slaves! they are more noisy than ever."

"Yes," replied the officer, "they are just letting out some, and
chaining up others. It is disagreeable work having slaves on board, but
there ought not to be all this noise; something must be wrong."

This last remark had scarcely been made than from the hatchway leading
to where the slaves were confined four of the sailors rushed up on deck,
two of them bleeding from wounds in the face, whilst the other two were
helping them along. They shouted, "The slaves have mutinied, sir,"
"Look out, sir," "They have freed themselves," and ran towards the
officer and Hans. Closely following these sailors nearly a score of the
negroes rushed on deck, yelling like maniacs, and flourishing portions
of planking and benches, with which they had armed themselves. From the
shouts which arose from below, it was evident that the negroes had
possessed themselves of the means of unfastening their chains and
handcuffs; and thus the situation of the prize crew was rather critical.
The trained sailor, however, saw that instant action was the only
chance. Calling to the two sailors to follow him, he drew his sword,
and rushed at the nearest negro, whom he cut down at one blow. Drawing
a pistol from his belt, he shot another, and was looking round for
another victim, when the negroes, panic-stricken by the sudden
exhibition of power, rushed to the hatchway, and tumbled one after the
other down amongst their companions, leaving only their two slain
comrades on deck. "On with the hatch," shouted the lieutenant; and the
two sailors, who were now joined by the man who had stood by the wheel,
and by the two wounded sailors and Hans, placed the hatch over the
hatchway, and immediately secured it so that no man could come up.

"Who's below?" inquired the lieutenant of one of his men.

"Steel and Roberts, yer honour. They're torn to bits by this time."

"How did this occur, men?"

"Just the devil in these fellows, sir. We was taking them quietly down,
after giving 'em a look at the sea, when one of 'em whistles, and at
once the whole lot turns upon us, snatches my cutlass afore I could get
hold of it, knocks down Steel and Ro