aptain did not make a sign; and, in the midst of the
horrible silence on board, I saw the dressed-up men turning their heads
to gaze at us anxiously, as if the suspense was greater than they could
bear, and their eyes implored their commander to give the word before
the wretches began swarming on board.

I glanced at Mr Reardon, whose face was white, and the great drops of
perspiration stood upon his cheeks, while his eyes, which were fixed
upon the captain between us, looked full of agony; for the great junk
with its wild crew was apparently only a hundred yards ahead, and the
others not much farther, coming rapidly on.

"It's all over," I thought, in my horror, "he will be too late;" and
that I was not alone in my thoughts obtained confirmation, for, though
the crew to a man stood fast, I saw Ching suddenly drop from his perch
and look round for a place of retreat.

At the same moment the captain moved his hand; there was a sharp tinging
of the gong in the engine-room, which meant full speed ahead; and, as
the vibration rapidly increased, he then gave a sharp order or two, and
in an instant almost the men came pouring up from the various hatches
upon deck, but so quickly and quietly that the transformation was almost
magical.

I don't think my eyes are peculiarly made, but I saw the various crews
muster round the guns, and the marines range up, and the men with their
rifles at their various posts, with each officer in his place, although
all the time I was standing with my gaze fixed upon the great junk.

I saw, too, my twenty pigtailed men come sliding down the ropes from
above, and snatch up the cutlasses and rifles laid ready beneath a
tarpaulin; but all the time I was seeing, in obedience to orders, two
parties of the crew going forward at the double, and I knew that the
captain was communicating with the two men at the wheel.

Quick as lightning there was another order as we began to leave the
three low vessels behind, and I involuntarily grasped the rail before me
as all the men on board lay down--crews of the guns, marines, and those
who had doubled forward under the command of Mr Brooke.

Hardly was the evolution performed, when there, right before us, were
the lowering mat-sails of the great junk, and then, crash! there was a
wild despairing yell, and we were into her amidships, the ponderous
gunboat literally cutting her down and going right over her; while at a
second command every man sprang up agai