d, that of the _Maid of Salcombe_, was
beginning to grow fainter, and being left behind.

"Now, what next?" thought Rodd. "How much longer shall we have to wait
before the attack is made?"

The answer came very shortly after, for Joe Cross bore lightly upon the
tiller, sent the boat gliding round in a wide circle which ended by
bringing the three mooring lights they had left behind all in a line,
and then as they began to glide down-stream he whispered--

"It's now or never, sir.--Cutlashes, my lads; in five minutes we shall
be alongside. You, Harry Briggs, shy the grapnel on deck and make fast;
we shall soon be all aboard. Then come and help us all you can."

There was a low deep breath like a thrill passing through the boat, a
peculiar sound of movement which Rodd knew was the men drawing their
cutlasses, and then as his heart went heavily thump, thump, thump within
his breast, he felt that two hands were seeking for his, and as he
raised it towards the right it was grasped firmly a moment by Uncle
Paul's, and the next moment, as it was released, by that of Morny.

It was short work, for the boat was gliding steadily down, and directly
after the lad felt Joe Cross bending over him.

"She's just right, sir," he whispered. "Ketch hold of the tiller, and
keep her as she is. I must go for'ard now to lead."

The boat swayed a little as the man stepped between his mates to the
front. Then as soon as the distance was considered right a light
rattling sound was heard, and Rodd was conscious of the sail being
lowered, though he could see nothing of it, while almost the next minute
there was a faint shock as the boat glided against the side of the
schooner.

Then Joe Cross's cry, "All aboard!" rang out, followed by a stentorian
cheer, and amidst the rush and hurry the tiller slipped from the boy's
hand and he was climbing over the thwarts to spring into the
fore-chains. Then he tottered as if about to fall back into the boat,
but a big hand grasped him by the shoulder, steadied him for a moment,
and then he was with the little party dashing side by side into what
seemed to be a chaos of savage yells and shrieks which rose in wild
confusion from the gang of Spaniards who had sprung up from their sleep,
where they lay scattered about the deck.

English shouts to come on, Spanish yells, wild mongrel cries, a shriek
or two of despair, a heavy plunge followed by another and another,
savage blows, and utterances such