hey were in harbour, and that the main body of the pirates were on
shore. Still greater was their surprise when they received the above
order in the sweet gentle tones of a child's voice.

Whether they deemed her an angel or not we cannot tell, but their belief
in her right to command was evinced by their shoving the oars out with
alacrity.

A few seconds sufficed to cut the cable, and the gangway fell into the
sea with a loud splash as the vessel moved slowly from the land, while
Johnson, Robin, and Slagg thrust with might and main at the boat-hooks.
The oars could not be dipped or used until the vessel had been separated
a few yards from the land, and it was during the delay caused by this
operation that their greatest danger lay, for already the pirates were
heard calling to each other among the cliffs.

"Pull, pull now for life, boys," shouted Sam as he seized the helm.

"Pull, pull now for life, boys," echoed the faithful translator in her
silvery tones.

The oars dipped and gurgled through the water. There was no question as
to the energy of the poor captives, but the vessel was heavy and
sluggish at starting. She had barely got a couple of hundred yards from
the shore, when the pirates from the cavern came running tumultuously
out of the woods. Perceiving at once that their vessel had been
captured, they rushed into the water and swam off, each man with his
sword between his teeth.

They were resolute villains, and swam vigorously and fast. Sam knew
that if such a swarm should gain the side of the vessel, no amount of
personal valour could prevent recapture. He therefore encouraged the
slaves to redoubled effort. These responded to the silvery echo, but so
short had been the distance gained that the issue seemed doubtful.

"Give 'em a few shots, boys," cried Sam, drawing his own revolver and
firing back over the stern. The others followed his example and
discharged all their revolvers, but without apparent effect, for the
pirates still came on.

One of the sails had fortunately been left unfurled. At this moment a
light puff of air from the land bulged it out, and sensibly increased
their speed.

"Hurrah!" shouted Johnson, "lend a hand, boys, to haul taut."

The sail was trimmed, and in a few minutes the vessel glided quickly
away from her pursuers.

A loud British cheer announced the fact alike to pirates and slaves, so
that the latter were heartened to greater exertion, while the former
w