en wild fowl, the
bodies of some being nearly blown to pieces. The party quickly tumbled
into the boat, and, the grapnel being got up, she immediately made sail
on a course which Rhymer fancied would cut off the dhow. He was
evidently in no good-humour at the ill-success of their sport, but the
prospect of making a prize somewhat restored him; the dhow, however,
must soon have seen the boat standing out towards her.

"Hurrah! she knows it is no use running, and gives in at once,"
exclaimed Rhymer, as the dhow was seen to lower her canvas. He soon
altered his tone when she hoisted a much larger sail than she had before
been carrying, and put up her helm, standing away directly before the
wind.

"We must be after her, lads," cried Rhymer. "The breeze may fail, and
if she is becalmed we are sure to have her."

It occurred to Ned that if Rhymer had not landed on the island this
would have been more likely. The wind being light, the oars were got
out and the boat went along at a good rate.

"We shall have her, we shall have her!" cried the old mate; "she is
within range of our gun. Try a shot, Meadows."

Charley sprang forward, and glancing along the piece, fired, but the
shot fell short.

Though Rhymer still cried out, "We shall have her, we shall have her!"
gradually his voice lost its tone of confidence, the breeze freshened,
and the dhow began rapidly to distance her pursuer. Still the boat
followed; the wind might again fail and the chase be overtaken. Instead
of failing, however, the wind increased, and the dhow's hull sunk
beneath the horizon. At length only the upper portion of her sail could
be seen; still, as long as a speck was in sight, Rhymer pursued her, and
not until the sun set did he abandon all hope.

"It is a bad job," he exclaimed. "Now let's have those birds, they must
be pretty well stewed by this time."

The wild fowl had been cut up into pieces, and, with rice biscuits and
other ingredients, had been stewing in the pot in which all their meals
were cooked, officers and men sharing alike. As soon, however, as
Rhymer's plate was handed to him he exclaimed--

"Fishy! Horribly fishy!"

"Strong flavoured I must own," said Charley; and he and Ned could with
difficulty eat a small portion, though the men were not so particular.
The unsavoury dish did not add to Rhymer's good-humour. Scarcely had
supper been concluded than it began to blow so hard that it became
necessary to take dow