er than the
rover. As they got nearer, she showed English colours. Roger and
Stephen watched her anxiously, and they called Jumbo.

"Remember what I told you," said Roger. "Follow our movements whatever
happens; you are not expected to fight, so probably will not be missed."

"What do you think of her?" asked Roger, who went in search of the old
seaman.

"That she is a stout English craft, likely not to give in without tough
fighting; but she probably carries not more than thirty men, if so many,
and we muster a hundred, so that she has very little chance if we run
her alongside."

"But you don't mean to say that you fight your countrymen, Sam?" said
Roger.

"Cannot help myself," he answered. "I would rather not; but should have
my head whipped off in a moment if I was to show the white feather, or
try to hide away."

"Well, I tell you this much, Sam," said Roger. "I don't believe that
craft will be taken, although she may have but thirty men on board; but
they are thirty honest Englishmen against these hundred cut-throat
Moors; and if you can manage to get on board and let them know that you
are an Englishman wishing to escape, you will act wisely."

"Cannot do it, Mr Willoughby," said Sam with a sigh. "I should like to
be free. The chances are the Englishmen cut me down before I can open
my mouth, and the Moors will whip off my head if they see me making the
attempt."

"Still you would have done the right thing, and I hope you will risk
it," said Roger. He could not venture to say more, as the Moors always
cast frowning glances at the Englishmen when they saw them talking
together.

Roger went back to Stephen, who was standing aft, watching the stranger.
Suddenly he exclaimed, "She is wonderfully like the _Benbow_ frigate.
Though so long a time has passed since we saw her, I remember her well.
I hope she may be, for Captain Benbow is not a man to yield to a pirate.
See, she has no intention of avoiding the fight."

As he spoke, the English ship brailed up her courses and hove-to,
preparing for the combat. This seemed somewhat to cool the courage of
the Moors, who looked at each other, for they were accustomed to see the
merchant vessels they attacked run from them and do their utmost to
escape. The English ship remained stationary. The Sallee rover stood
on, and as she got nearer, shortened sail to be more under command.
Presently the former filled, not to escape, but to be ready for
manoeuvri