, that it would have now been
no easy task to lower a boat. They were soon up to the dhow, on board
of which there appeared to be a crew of from fifteen to twenty Arabs,
who gazed with folded arms and scowling countenances on their
approaching captors. Rhymer and Ned sprang on board. No resistance was
offered. The Arab captain shrugged his shoulders, said something, which
probably meant, "It is the fortune of war," and appeared perfectly
resigned to his fate. A peep down the main hatchway showed at once that
she was a slaver, as the bamboo deck was crowded with blacks, who
commenced shrieking fearfully as they saw Ned's white face, having been
told by the Arabs that the object of the English was to cook and eat
them.

"Stop those fellows from making that horrible uproar," cried Rhymer in
an angry tone. "I cannot make out what these Arabs say with this
abominable noise."

It is very doubtful if he would have understood his prisoners even had
there been perfect silence. In order not to be seen by the blacks Ned
walked aft.

Rhymer made signs to the Arabs to give up their arms, which he handed
into the boat as the best means of preventing any attempt they might
make to recapture their vessel. He then ordered them to go forward to
rehoist the sail, while he sent one of his men to the helm.

While they were engaged in these arrangements, Ned cast his eye on the
other dhow, of which Rhymer had been ordered to take charge.

"Look out there, Rhymer!" he exclaimed; "that fellow is getting up his
long yard again, and will try to give us the slip."

"We'll soon stop him from doing that," answered Rhymer. "You remain on
board this craft with a couple of hands and I'll go after him. Cox and
Stone, you stay with Mr Garth; into the boat the rest of you." The
crew in another instant were in their seats, and shoving off, pulled
away towards the other dhow. There was no time to lose, for already the
yard with its white canvas was half-way up the mast. The breeze, too,
was freshening, and as Ned watched her it seemed to him that she had a
good chance of escaping. The boat's crew were pulling as hard as they
could lay their backs to the oars. He saw Rhymer standing up with a
musket in his hand, and shouting to the Arabs, threatening to fire
should they continue the attempt to escape. They were, however,
apparently not to be deterred from so doing. Still the sail continued
to ascend and the dhow was gathering way. S