e able to make us out, here. At
any rate, we must hold on as we are, until the wind drops
altogether."

After sunset the breeze died away rapidly and, by the time night
had fully set in, the sails dropped motionless, and the Swan ceased
to move through the water. The captain at once ordered all the
boats to be lowered, and the men swarmed into them, double banking
the oars. Hawsers were handed into them, and the vessel's head
swept round in the direction from which she had come, but somewhat
farther seaward.

"Now, lads," the captain said, "pull with a will. There will be a
good supper, and an allowance of strong ale, when you come on
board."

After rowing for half an hour, the captain ordered them to cease,
and to keep silence. Listening attentively, he could hear in the
still night air the sound of oars; but whether the boats were
towing the ships, or rowing independently, he could not tell. Again
the men set to work.

"I hope they are towing," he said to the first mate. "They would
have no chance whatever of catching us, for our strong crew can
take a vessel like the Swan through the water at twice the rate
they could row their big ships. I can't see the fellows in shore,
can you?"

"No, Captain. They are hid in the shadow of the land. I can make
out the others, but they are a long way farther off than when we
started."

"I expect we shall have the boats after us, Standing. Both lots can
make us out, and can see that we are gaining on them.

"Ah! I felt a breath of wind. I did not expect it for an hour or
two yet; but if the breeze springs up, we shall soon run away from
them."

Stopping and listening again, they could hear the sound of oars,
from two directions.

"They are coming," the captain said. "The beat is quicker than it
would be if they were towing; besides, it is a great deal more
distinct than it was. I don't think they are more than a mile
behind us.

"Ah! There is the wind again."

There was a deep flapping sound, and a rattling of blocks, as the
sails bellied out for a moment, and then fell against the masts
again. Captain Reuben went to the forecastle:

"Keep it up, lads. You won't have much longer to row, for the wind
is coming. The Spaniards are after us, but they won't be up for a
quarter of an hour, and I hope we shall get it before that.
Remember, every yard we can keep away from them is of importance.
Put your backs to it, lads."

The Swan carried four boats and, strongly ma