in order to trim the
sails.

"Steady, men!" Captain Reuben shouted. "Touch not sheet or tack. We
must sail past as if bent on our own business. If we change our
course, now, they will suspect that something is wrong.

"Pengarvan, do you get out the Spanish flag from the locker, and
run it up to the peak."

This was done, though it was easy to see, by the looks the crew
cast towards the strange craft, that they would gladly go in and
fight them.

"Another time, lads," Captain Reuben said cheerfully, as he saw
their mood. "I doubt not we shall have enough fighting to satisfy
you, before we have done; but our object here is to trade, and get
rich. If thrashing the Dons comes in the way of business, we shall
do it contentedly; but there is no occasion for us to put ourselves
out of the way to meet them. Supposing we were to go in, and sink
those two ships; as I doubt not we are men enough to do, if we were
to try it. They would see it all from the shore; and no sooner did
we set sail again, than boats would carry the news to every Spanish
port in these quarters, and we should have a score of ships in
pursuit of us, in no time; and, whatever came of it, that would
interfere with the hopes of gain with which we have sailed to these
seas.

"This port must be a newly formed one," he went on, turning to
Roger, "for there is no Spanish station marked hereabout, in my
chart."

The course which the Swan was taking would have carried her half a
mile to seaward of the two Spanish vessels, but she now edged a
point or two farther out. Doubtless the Spaniards were surprised at
seeing that the vessel, instead of entering the port, continued her
course; and it may be that they very soon discovered such points in
her hull, and rigging, as set them wondering what she could be.

Presently a gun was fired from one of the ships--as a signal,
doubtless, for her to heave to. The Swan paid no attention to the
command, but kept on her course. In two minutes there was another
flash and a puff of white smoke from the Spaniard, and a shot
skipped across the water in front of the Swan. A growl of anger
broke from her crew.

"Put up the helm," Captain Reuben ordered; and the vessel, which
was running before the wind, came up till her head pointed straight
to sea.

Although the Spanish ships were still three-quarters of a mile
away, a bustle was at once observable on their decks. Men clustered
at the bows, and could be seen at work there