their swords and pistols at the first sound of the
fight, and rushed to the rescue. They well knew that, while they had
been on shore, the unfortunate captives chained in the vessel's hold had
succeeded in freeing themselves, and were endeavouring to overcome the
few men left to guard them.

Slaves captured at various times by the scoundrels who infest those
seas, are sometimes made to work at the oars--which are much used during
calm weather--until they die, or become so worn out as to be useless,
when they are mercilessly thrown overboard. That the slaves referred to
on this occasion, animated probably by despair, had effected their
release, and plucked up heart to assault the armed guard, was a matter
of some surprise to the pirates: not so, however, to our adventurers,
when they saw, foremost among the mutineers, a man clad in the garb of a
European sailor.

"That's the boy as has put 'em up to it," said Jim Slagg, in a
suppressed but eager voice, "they'd never have had the pluck to do it of
themselves."

"We'd better go an' help 'em," said Stumps, whose usually stupid face
was lighted up with excitement.

"Right, lad," exclaimed Slagg, starting up; but Sam laid his hand firmly
on his arm.

"Too late," he said; "don't you see that the guard have prevailed.
Besides, the pirate crew are in their boats--almost at the vessel. See,
they swarm up the side."

"Poor, poor sailor!" said Robin Wright, in a voice of the deepest pity.

"You may well say that; no doubt he is killed by this time," said Slagg;
"but no--he is fightin' still!"

This was indeed true. Some of the slaves, rendered desperate no doubt,
were still maintaining the hopeless fight with handspikes and such arms
as they had succeeded in wresting from the guard at the first onset, and
the stalwart figure of the European sailor was seen swaying aloft a
clubbed musket and felling a pirate at every blow. Animated by his
example, the other slaves fought with resolute bravery, but when the
rest of the pirate crew joined the guard and surrounded them, they were
instantly overpowered. Then those who had not been already slain were
led hastily to the side, a sword was drawn across their throats, or
thrust through them, and the bodies were tossed into the sea. Among
those led thus to the side was the brave sailor. Although his features
could not be distinguished at such a distance by those in ambush, it
could be clearly seen that he came boldly forwar