cts
which a moment before had been invisible were now seen with
comparatively perfect distinctness, the several ships which comprised
the plate fleet--the whole of which were by this time under way--and
even the wharves and houses of the town gleaming faintly and ghostly
against the darker background of the country beyond and the blue-black
of the star-spangled heavens. And now, too, lights suddenly began to
appear in the two batteries which guarded the town. A few seconds
later, as the _Nonsuch_ was steering to intercept and order back to her
anchorage the second of the escaping plate ships, first one and then the
other of those same batteries opened fire, and that their ordnance was
levelled against the English ship immediately afterward became apparent
from the fact that several heavy shot came hurtling immediately
overhead, one or two of which passed through the _Nonsuch's_ canvas, but
fortunately without inflicting any more serious damage.

"Spanish treachery again!" growled George to Basset, who was now
standing on the poop beside him. "It would appear that the scoundrels
know not what keeping faith means. I felt fully convinced that by
securing possession of a dozen of the most important citizens as
hostages, we should effectually protect ourselves from all possibility
of attack; but it is clear that there is somebody ashore there who cares
not what happens to the hostages, if he can only find a chance to strike
at us a treacherous blow. Now, then, to deal with this rascal,"
indicating the approaching plate ship. "Severe measures are best in
such cases as this, and if we deal with this fellow sharply, perhaps the
others will take the hint, and return to the anchorage without waiting
to be shot at. Starboard your helm, Mr Dyer"--to the pilot; "we will
pass under this fellow's stern, shaving him as closely as may be and
pouring a raking broadside into him as we pass; and if that does not
make him bear up, we will follow him and give him another. Now, gunners
of the starboard battery, stand by your ordnance, and discharge when we
are square athwart this big ship's stern."

The two craft were by this time within hailing distance of each other,
but perfect silence was maintained on board both until the _Nonsuch_, by
hauling her wind to pass under the plate ship's stern, exposed
practically the whole of her deck to those aboard the bigger ship, when
an order suddenly rang out, and the whole of the Spaniard's b