and fighting.

The _Mirabelle_ was level with the Ryukyu Islands on a gusty, glary
day when the lookout's long-drawn-out cry floated down from the
crow's-nest to those sailors who were engaged in a mock fight on deck.

"Sail--ho-oo!"

Instantly every man was at the ship's side, shading his eyes against
the dazzle that made a brassy light over sea and sky. The Ryukyu
Islands, off the port beam, were not visible in the metallic haze that
grew as the sun arched higher. The fitful wind gave promise of
stopping altogether and leaving both ships becalmed.

Chris, on the bridge beside the Captain, stood looking through his
spyglass at the advancing sail. Captain Blizzard lowered his own glass
to turn enquiringly to Chris.

"Yes," the boy said at last, "I'm sure now. I ought to know those
sails. They're unmistakable. That is the _Vulture_, sir."

Captain Blizzard wheeled about before the last word had left Chris's
lips, and bellowed at the top of his lungs.

"All hands on deck!" he roared. "Man the guns! Bring out the
ammunition, and every man to his place!"

The training the men had gone through instantly asserted itself.
Although there was a great deal of running about, up and down the
ladder to the hold, and of handing up the heavy ammunition, all was
orderly, and not an extra word was spoken.

There was little enough time left over, however. The _Vulture_
approached rapidly and then crossed the bow of the _Mirabelle_ so
narrowly that the _Mirabelle_ had to put hard about and Captain
Blizzard roared orders to take in sail in order not to smash into the
pirate vessel before it had been carried by the breeze beyond its
prey.

This maneuver by Claggett Chew momentarily threw the _Mirabelle's_
crew into confusion and turned their attention to the hasty management
of their ship. To Chris, working with the men at whatever was most
urgent, it seemed only an instant before the _Vulture_ was again
alongside the _Mirabelle_, and Claggett Chew stood on the gunwale
hailing them.

"Heave-to, or you shall sink to the sharks!" he cried.

"Look to yourself, pirate!" Captain Blizzard thundered in reply, and
giving the signal, the unsuspected guns of the _Mirabelle_ belched out
their deadly charges.

Claggett Chew was knocked back to the deck of his ship, and Chris had
time to see him shake off the hand of a sailor who would have helped
him to safety. Chris also saw, peeking out from the doorway of
Claggett Chew's cabin, the