bay, and
try if we could not manage to conceal some portions of the cargo, before
the man-o'-war could overtake us. The caves along the shore were all
well known to us, every one of them had served either as a store, or
a place of concealment. The wind, however, freshened every minute; the
storm jib was all we could carry, and this, instead of aiding, dipped us
heavily by the head, while the large ship gained momentarily on us, and
now, her tall masts and white sails lowered close in our wake.

"'Shall we stave these puncheons?' said the mate in a whisper to the
skipper; 'she'll be aboard of us in no time.'

"The old man made no reply, but his eyes turned from the man-o'-war to
shore, and back again, and his mouth quivered slightly.

"'They'd better get the hatches open, and heave over that tobacco,' said
the mate, endeavouring to obtain an answer.

"'She's hauled down her signal for us to lie to,' observed the skipper,
'and see there, her bow ports are open--here it comes.'

"A bright flash burst out as he spoke, and one blended report was heard,
as the shots skimmed the sea beside us.

"'Run that long gun aft,' cried the old fellow, as his eyes flashed
and his colour mounted. 'I'll rake their after-deek for them, or I'm
mistaken.

"For the first time the command was not obeyed at once. The men looked
at each other in hesitation, and as if not determined what part to take.

"'What do you stare at there,' cried he in a voice of passion, 'O'Kelly,
up with the old bunting, and let them see who they've got to deal with.'

"A brown flag, with a Dutch lion in the centre, was run up the
signal-halliards, and the next minute floated out bravely from our gaff.

"A cheer burst from the man-of-war's crew, as they beheld the signal of
defiance. Its answer was a smashing discharge from our long swivel,
that tore along their decks, cutting the standing rigging, and wounding
several as it went. The triumph was short-lived for us. Shot after shot
poured in from the brig, which, already to windward, swept our entire
decks; while an incessant: roll of small arms, showed that our challenge
was accepted to the death.

"'Down, helm,' said the old man in a whisper to the sailor at the
wheel--'down, helm;' while already the spitting waves that danced half
a mile ahead, betokened a reef of rocks, over which at low water a row
boat could not float.

"'I know it, I know it well,' was the skippers reply to the muttered
answer of th