re making for the shore.

"No doubt now about what she is, gentlemen," said the captain. "Pipe
away the cutter's crew. Mr Russell, you would like to begin work
again. Jump in, sir, and go and take possession."

"And pursue the boats, sir?"

"Bah! no! They are not worth the labour. You can take one of the young
gentlemen with you."

Bob took a step forward, but Mr Russell turned to Mark.

"You'll come, Vandean," he said; and the lad leaped into the cutter,
which was rapidly rowed away through the muddy water, just as the
schooner's boats disappeared round a headland covered with trees, which
screened the outlet of a stream far larger than had been imagined, and
for which without doubt now the schooner's captain had been making.

"A splendid prize, Vandean," said Mr Russell, as they drew near and saw
the admirable build of the vessel, which looked nearly new. "She was
evidently on her way for a cargo of the poor wretches. We ought to have
taken her afterwards, when she was laden."

"Yes, we should have done more good then. But if they had no slaves on
board, why did they run? Oh!"

The midshipman uttered an ejaculation expressive of the utter disgust
which he felt as they neared the schooner's side.

"What is it? What's the matter?" cried the lieutenant; and then his
countenance changed. "Back water!" he exclaimed, as he turned away his
head. "How horrible!"

Then, altering his order, he cried, "Row--row, my lads--pull!"

For from somewhere on board, now not a dozen yards from them, there rang
out in smothered tones a piteous cry of despair.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

IN THE SCHOONER'S HOLD.

It was undoubtedly a terrible cry of despair from a human being in
deadly peril, and with all the force of Englishmen sent to answer such a
call for aid, the boat was rushed through the water, the coxswain hooked
on, and setting at defiance that which had horrified and disgusted them,
the two officers, followed by all their men but the boat-keeper, sprang
on board the beautifully clean, trim-looking schooner, where the remains
of the broken spar, axes that had been hastily thrown down, and a tangle
of cordage and canvas cumbered the deck.

"What is it?" cried Mark, excitedly. "Is someone being killed?"

"Some dozens," cried Russell, fiercely, as the cry was repeated from
beneath their feet, followed by a horrible scuffling sound mingled with
groans. "The wretches have battened down the hatches, and the p