ks, when I thought I saw
two objects through the gloom. I kept my eyes fixed on them. Dick was
close to me.

"Look out, and tell me if you see anything," I whispered to him.

"Yes; two boats, and I fancy there's another astern," he answered.

"You're right," I said. "Run and tell the captain, and rouse up the men
for'ard; they're not coming at this time of night with any good
intentions."

The men were prepared, and every one was on deck in less than a minute,
with cutlasses at their sides, pikes in their hands, and the guns cast
loose, ready for firing. Three boats now came in sight.

The moment Harry saw them, he shouted at the top of his voice, "Keep
off, or we fire and sink you."

Instead of dashing on, as they might have done, the crews of the boats
ceased pulling: the threat had had a good effect. They were near enough
even now to enable us to send a shot among them; but unless they had
given stronger evidence of their intentions of attacking us than they
had done, Harry was unwilling to fire. Still it was a critical time;
and from the number of men on board the brigantine, we knew that they
might possibly overpower us; at the same time, if our men behaved with
courage, it was more probable that we should beat them off. Still, it
might not be done without bloodshed, if they attacked us with
resolution. We had the guns in readiness pointed at them to fire,
should they again approach. Harry again shouted--

"We know what you are about; if you come on it will be at your own
peril."

No answer was given; still the boats remained on the same spot without
advancing.

"Let us give them a shot or two, sir," shouted Tom at the top of his
voice. "It will show them we are in earnest."

Scarcely had he spoken when the dark objects receded, becoming less and
less distinct, till they disappeared in the darkness. Tom very seldom
indulged in a chuckle, but he did so on this occasion.

"I thought as how it would have a good effect," he observed. "They
expected to take us by surprise, and had no stomach for fighting. Maybe
their skipper wanted them to come on, for he is ready for anything, but
the men would not. It's my opinion they are cowards at heart, though
boasting knaves when there's no danger."

"What you say, Mr Platt, is very true," I heard Sam Pest remark.

"Well done, Platt," said Harry. "Your words had a good effect. I don't
think they'll trouble us again to-night."

"We must not be too