moke funnel of the Triton with a most sonorous
bang!

"That'll do now," cried the captain, "cease firing and haul down the
colours."

If the captain had said, "Cut away the rudder and heave the boilers
overboard," he could scarcely have caused more surprise in his crew,
who, by his orders, had assembled on deck, every man being armed with
musket, cutlass, and revolver. His orders were strictly and promptly
obeyed, however.

By this time the light breeze had fallen and a dead calm prevailed, so
that the sails of the pirate flapped idly against her masts, and her
crew were seen busily lowering her boats.

"We could have soon got out of her way if our engines had not broke
down," growled the captain, as he went toward the front of the
quarter-deck and looked down on the armed men in the waist. "My lads,"
he said, "the blackguards are Malay pirates. They are lowering their
boats, and will be alongside in less than half an hour. I don't need to
tell you what you'll have to expect if they take us. We must beat 'em
off or _die_; for it's better to die sword in hand than to be tortured
or strangled. Those of you, however, who prefer the latter modes of
going under may show the white feather and enjoy yourselves in your own
way. Now, lads, you know me. I expect obedience to orders to the
letter. I hate fighting and bloodshed--so don't kill unless you can't
help it. Also, take care that you don't touch these copper wires on the
sides with either finger or foot. If you do you'll repent it, for
electricians don't like their gear handled."

Turning abruptly round, for the oars of the approaching boats could now
be distinctly heard, the captain asked Sam if his batteries were well
charged.

"Chock-full, sir," replied Sam with a broad grin; "there's not a bit of
iron all round the ship that a man could lay hold of without receiving
his due!"

"Good," said the captain, turning to the chief engineer; "are the hose
attached and the boilers hot?"

"Bubblin' up fit to burst, sir. I've weighted the safety-valves to give
it force?"

Without another word the captain stepped to the port gangway, and took
off his hat to the advancing pirates. The pirate captain, not to be
outdone in civility, took off his fez and bowed as the boat ranged
alongside. The captain carefully held out one of the man-ropes to his
enemy. He grasped it and seized the other.

An instantaneous yell of the most appalling nature issued from his