pite of the fact that the sky was getting lighter. But they could see
clearly. They caught sight of the launch, and with yells of fury made
ready to follow and effect her capture.

CHAPTER TEN.

A NATIVE FLEET.

"Yo's no need for to worry, massa," sang out Johnnie, severely, as Dick
raised his head from his hands and looked along the deck anxiously. For
the fact that it was empty, save for the chief and himself and three
others, caused him sudden anxiety. "Yo's get de wind again, and Johnnie
see um all right. Wait dar! Back um! Yo black boy ober dar, swing um
round so!"

He was in the well where the engine lay, and as he gave the orders Dick
saw by the light of the furnace that he had shut off steam. Then he
waved to the man at the helm, and the launch gently fell across the
stream. And there she lay, shrouded in darkness, and hidden from the
sight of the pursuers by the bank round the angle of which they were
congregated. But whether they could see her or not, the enemy answered
James Langdon's shout with a volley from their muzzle-loaders.

"That's um. Fire away, you debils. See some fun soon. See what
Johnnie and his broders do. Listen to um cussin'."

He roared with delight, for, as the reports of the scattered volley
subsided the voice of James Langdon again came to the ear.

"Wade in!" he called out in the Ashanti tongue. "It is only a stream,
my brothers, and in that way we shall have them. They must not escape.
They have all the gold with them."

"Yo watch!" said Johnnie, suddenly, as a series of loud splashes told
that the enemy were attempting to carry out the movement. "You see fun
now, massa. Hi, yo black boys! Fire de rifle."

It was laughable, ridiculous, but very wonderful after all, to see
Johnnie there, giving commands in his quaint English, commands which
could not be understood by a single one of the miners. And yet this
little stoker had a head on his shoulders, and had shown that he was
deserving of much trust. For if he did not know the Ashanti tongue, by
means of many jerkings of his arms and a huge amount of energy he could
explain his plans, and get the men to fall in with them. And now Dick
could see that he had made good use of the short time given him at the
launch.

He had had a clear half-hour, or a little more, perhaps, and in that
small space of time he had lit the fire, had stacked the bags of gold,
for they could be seen in the cabin, lying snugly u