e
manoeuvres, ever so slight a mistake on Captain Thwaites' part, or a
blunder in the carrying out of his orders, might give one vessel the
chance to make fast, and while we were arresting their onslaught there
would be time for the others to get close in and throw their scores of
bloodthirsty savages upon our decks.

Mr Reardon had strolled forward, and returned just as the captain said
to me--

"You may as well fetch me my sword and cap from the cabin, Mr Herrick."

"Yes, sir," I said quickly, and I was off, but he stopped me.

"Not now, boy," he cried impatiently; "when the first gun is fired will
be time enough. Well, Reardon, men all ready?"

"Ready, sir? they want wiring down. I'm only afraid of one thing."

"What is that?"

"That they will jam one another in the hatches in their excitement."

"Give fresh stringent orders, sir," said the captain sternly; "every man
is to go quickly and silently to his post, as if on an ordinary drill.
By George! they are coming on quickly; we shall have it all over by
daylight."

"And they'll plunder the ship by lamplight, eh?" said Mr Reardon drily.

"Of course. I think there is no need to feel any doubt now as to these
being the men we want?"

"I don't know, sir," said the lieutenant quietly; "but there is no doubt
about their meaning to try and take this peaceful merchantman. Look,
they feel sure of us, sir, and are showing themselves. Why, they swarm
with men."

"Poor wretches!" said the captain gravely. "I don't like shedding
blood, but we must do it now, to the last drop."

The enemy were now less than a mile away, and coming on rapidly, the
smaller vessels helping their progress with long, heavy sweeps; and as I
stood behind the captain's chair, and looked round the deck from the
wheel, where one of our sham Chinamen stood, with another seated under
the bulwarks apparently asleep, but ready to spring up and join his
messmate at a word; round by the bulwarks where four or five stood
stupidly looking over the side; and then up aloft to the men making
believe to work very hard at the damaged spar--all looked peaceful
enough to tempt the wretches, without counting the most prominent figure
of all, Ching, as he sat high up, smoking placidly, and looking as calm
and contemplative as a figure of Buddha.

"The men ought to be called up now, and the guns set to work," I said to
myself, as every pulse throbbed with excitement, and in imagination I
saw, from th