and get another topmast on
end before it falls dark."

Five minutes later I was alongside the prize, which, as on the occasion
of my previous visit, I was compelled to board by way of the lee main
chains, no side ladder having been put over for my accommodation. My
Yankee friend and his mate were on the poop watching us, and I thought
the former turned a trifle pale as he noted the strength of the crew
that I had brought with me.

"All hands out of the boat, and veer her away astern!" ordered I as we
swept alongside; and the next moment I and my party were over the rail
and on deck. I had already made my plans during the short passage of
the boat between the two vessels; consequently the moment that we were
all aboard young Copplestone, who had come with me, led a party of men
forward to drive the slaver's crew below, while I, with a couple of
sturdy seamen to back me up, ascended to the poop.

"Look 'e hyar, young feller," began the Yankee skipper, as I set foot on
the poop, "I wanter know what's the meanin' of this outrage. D'ye see
that there flag up there? That's the galorious--"

"Stars and Stripes," I cut in. "Yes; I recognise it. But I may as well
tell you at once that I know this ship has no right to hoist those
colours. She is the _Preciosa_, a slaver hailing from Havana, and
sailing under Spanish colours; consequently she is the lawful prize of
his Britannic Majesty's ship _Eros_; and I am here to take possession of
her."

I saw the man turn pale under his tan, and for a moment he was
speechless, while his mate Silas whispered something in his ear. But he
would not listen. Instead, he pushed the man roughly away, angrily
exclaiming, "Hold yer silly tongue, ye blame fool!" Then, turning to
me, he demanded:

"Who's been makin' a fool of ye this time, stranger?"

"Nobody," answered I curtly. "I acknowledge that you did the trick very
handsomely when I boarded you on a former occasion; but there is going
to be no fooling this time I assure you."

"Well, I'll be goldarned!" exclaimed the man, suddenly recognising me.
"If it ain't the young Britisher that--jigger my buttons if I didn't
think I'd seen yer before, stranger. Well, you know, you've got to
prove what you say afore you can do anything, haven't ye?"

"Yes," I answered; "and if you will be good enough to hand me over your
keys I will soon do so, to my own satisfaction if not to yours."

"Very well," he said, producing the keys; "the