one of the crew rushed off, retrieved the
weather-worn bunting, and made his way to the mainmast.

Slowly and deliberately he re-hoisted the ensign until it fluttered
proudly from the truck, then with apparent unconcern the man
disappeared below.

By this time the tramp was again under control, with a course shaped
for land, which lay about ten miles to the S.S.E. It was, however, a
foregone conclusion that unless help were speedily forthcoming the
vessel was doomed.

The tramp began to heel, almost imperceptibly at first, then with
increasing speed. She had received her _coup de grace_.

Still the engines were kept going full speed ahead. The dauntless
skipper remained on the bridge, with a look of grim resolution on his
weather-beaten features.

Slowly the vessel's way diminished. Her bow-wave, owing to the
gradually increasing draught, was greater, but less sharp than before.
In a few minutes the water would be pouring over her fore-deck.

Seeing that their work was completed, the pirates ceased fire, the
guns' crews standing with folded arms and stolidly watching the tramp
as she struggled in her death-throes.

Presently a vast cloud of steam issued from her engine-room. The
inrush of water had damped her furnaces. The engineer and firemen,
their faces black with coal-dust and streaming with moisture, hurried
on deck.

For another quarter of a mile the doomed vessel carried way, then came
to a sudden stop. As she did so she gave a quick list to starboard,
until only a few inches of bulwark amidships showed above the waves.

Then, and only then, did the skipper give orders for the boats to be
lowered. In an orderly manner the crew manned the falls, and the task
of abandoning the ship began.

Without undue haste, the crew dropped into the waiting boats, each man
with a bundle containing his scanty personal effects wrapped up in a
handkerchief. The Captain was the last to leave. He did so
reluctantly, his left hand tightly grasping the ship's papers.

Having rowed a safe distance from the foundering vessel, the men rested
on their oars, and waited in silence for the end. It was not long in
coming.

The tramp was heeling more and more, and slightly down by the bows.
Suddenly she almost righted; then, amid a smother of foam as the
compressed air burst open her hatches, she flung her stern high in the
air.

Even then she seemed in no hurry. The after part from the mainmast
remained in view,