corner,
where we cannot see them. Another half hour we shall know all about
it."

Francis was half surprised that the captain did not order the oars to
be put out and lashed in that position, for it was a recognized plan
for preventing a ship from being boarded by an enemy, who could thus
only approach her at the lofty poop and forecastle.

"Are you not going to get out the oars to keep them off?"

"No, Messer Francisco. In the first place, our sides are so high out of
water that the pirates will have a difficulty in boarding us in any
case. In the second place, if we get the oars out and they row full at
them, sooner or later they will break them off; and it is all important
that we should be able to row. I have been thinking the matter over,
and my idea is, as soon as they advance, to get three or four oars at
work on either side, so as to move her gradually through the water
towards the harbour mouth. The rowers will be charged to let their oars
swing alongside whenever any of their craft dash at them. We shall want
every oar, as well as our sails, to get away when we are once outside.
I do not think we have much chance of finally beating them off if we
stop and fight here. But if we can do so for a time, and can manage to
creep out of the harbour, all may be well."

When daylight fairly broke they were able to make out their enemy. The
vessels were of all sizes, from long, low craft, carrying great sails
and long banks of oars, down to boats of a few tons burden. All seemed
crowded with men.

"None of them are anything like as high out of the water as the
Bonito," the captain said, "and they will find it very difficult to
climb up our sides. Still the odds against us are serious, but we shall
give them a warmer reception than they expect. They will hardly
calculate either on our being so strong handed, or so well prepared for
them."

Everything was indeed ready for the combat. Two or three barrels of the
compound known as Greek fire had been brought up from the hold, and the
cooks had heated cauldrons full of pitch. Thirty men with bows and
arrows were on the poop, and the rest, with spears, axes, and swords,
stood along the bulwarks.

"We may as well get as near the entrance as we can before the fight
begins," the captain said. "Get up the anchor, and as soon as it is
aboard, get out four oars on each side."

The anchor had already been hove short, and was soon in its place. Then
the oars dipped into the