am. Jack
nodded his consent. Dick ran out one of the guns. Jack pointed it and
fired. Then they sprang to the other, and fired that. Shrieks and
cries followed, and the boat in a sinking condition put back to the
shore. Don Diogo got off his horse, and stamped with rage. He could
not make it out, but the men would not make another attempt. In a
minute more they had all disappeared. As soon as they were clear off
Jack and Needham set to work to examine the vessel more minutely, in the
hopes of discovering some small quantity of water, or other liquid which
they could drink. Vain again was their search, but on opening a locker
Jack observed a box thickly bound with brass. He tried to pull it out,
but could not move it alone, so he summoned Needham to his assistance.
It was very heavy.

"We'll see what is in it," said Jack. Perhaps had he reflected, he
might have waited to deliver it over unopened to Captain Lascelles.
However, this did not occur to him at the moment. A cold chisel and
hammer were soon found, and on the chest being forced open rolls of
glittering gold coin lay exposed to view.

"Here is a mint of gold," cried Needham. "I wonder them pirate chaps
didn't try to walk off with it."

"It shows what a fright they must have been in to leave it behind if
they knew it was here," answered Jack. "However, we must shut the box
up again. It is lawful prize-money, and will be divided in due
proportions among all hands, that's one comfort."

"By-the-by, Needham," said Jack, after the box had been closed, "it
strikes me that old Don Diogo must have known that the gold is on board,
and that makes him so anxious to get hold of the vessel to recover it.
Oh, how thirsty I am. For my part, just now, I would rather have a
quart of water than that box of gold."

"So would I, sir," answered Needham; "may be, though, we shall find it
cooler on deck, where there is a breath of air."

Fortunately Jack took Needham's hint. On looking towards the land the
whole beach was covered with men carrying among them six or eight large
canoes, while the little Don appeared as before on horseback, directing
their movements. Jack, knowing the incentive which was influencing his
enemies, and seeing the preparations made to attack the brig, might well
have despaired of successfully resisting them. He and Needham were not
people to sell their lives cheaply. As before, they loaded the brass
guns, and all the muskets and ri