nant altered their direction, and they rowed on,
with the gunwale nearly level with the water's edge, and proceeding very
slowly, but ever carried by the stream nearer to the steamer and the
isle.

"A nice night's work, Roberts," said the lieutenant dolefully, as they
sat deep in the water that washed from side to side; "lost both prahus,
and got the boat crippled."

"But we haven't lost any men, sir," said Bob, by way of comforting him.

"No; but several of the poor lads are wounded. There's only one thing
that would give me any comfort for my ill-luck, Roberts, and that is to
hear--"

"There's the `Startler' a-talking to one, sir," cried Dick, forgetting
discipline in his excitement, as the boom of a big gun not very far-off
met their ears. "There she goes again, sir," he continued, as there was
another shot, and another, and another, all showing that the captain had
heard the firing and been prepared.

A couple more shots were heard, and then all was silent till the boat
slowly drifted by the lights of the island, answering the sentries'
challenges, and then sighting the lights and open portholes of the
steamer, to whose side they managed to struggle, answering the
challenges as they approached.

In spite of all their efforts, it was doubtful whether the boat could
have floated another minute, but on reaching the side the falls were
hooked on, and she was slowly run up to the davits, with the water
rushing out, the lieutenant then reporting his ill-success to the
captain.

"Not one man killed, though," he said.

"How many wounded?"

"Six, sir, but only slightly."

"Mr Johnson, I hope the other boats have done better," said the
captain. "I'm afraid you will not get any promotion on the strength of
this job."

"No, sir," said the lieutenant dolefully. "But did you sink either of
the prahus?"

"Sink them, no," said the captain, testily. "I don't believe they were
either of them touched; they went by us like the wind. There, go below
all of you, and get into dry clothes." The captain went forward to see
that the look-out was doing its best; while the prahus were safely
making their way to a mud creek, where the chiefs who commanded them
felt that they could laugh at any force the English might send to redeem
the failure of the past night; and to work such mischief in the future
as was little imagined at the time.

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

HOW BOB ROBERTS HAD A LESSON ON COMMON SENSE.

The sun ros