more for the ship's company, who were divided into the
larboard and starboard watch. The cutter's crew were perfectly content
with Jack's speech, and their brevet rank, and after that they commenced
a more important topic, which was, how they were to take the ship.
After some discussion, Mesty's advice was approved of; which was, that
they should anchor not far ahead of the ship, and wait till about two
o'clock in the morning, when they would drop silently down upon her in
the cutter, and take possession.

About nine o'clock the vessel was anchored as they proposed, and Jack
was a little astonished to find that the ship was much larger that he
had any idea of; for, although polacca-rigged, she was nearly the same
tonnage as the _Harpy_. The Spanish prisoners were first tied hand and
foot, and laid upon the beans, that they might give no alarm, the sails
were furled, and all was kept quiet.

On board of the ship, on the contrary, there was noise and revelry; and
about half-past ten a boat was seen to leave her and pull for the shore;
after which the noise gradually ceased, the lights one by one
disappeared, and then all was silent.

"What do you think, Mesty?" said Jack; "do you think we shall take her?"

"It is take her, you mane; sure enough we'll take her, stop a bit--wait
till um all fast asleep."

About twelve o'clock there came on a mizzling heavy rain, which was very
favourable for our hero's operations. But as it promised soon to clear
up, by Mesty's advice they did not delay any longer. They crept softly
into the boat, and with two oars to steer her dropped under the bows of
the vessel, climbed up the forechains, and found the deck empty. "Take
care not fire pistol," said Mesty to the men as they came up, putting
his finger to their lips to impress them with the necessity of silence,
for Mesty had been an African warrior, and knew the advantage of
surprise. All the men being on deck, and the boat made fast, Jack and
Mesty led the way aft; not a soul was to be seen: indeed, it was too
dark to see anybody unless they were walking the deck. The
companion-hatch was secured, and the gratings laid on the after-hatch
ways, and then they went aft to the binnacle again, where there was a
light burning. Mesty ordered two of the men to go forward to secure the
hatches, and then to remain there on guard--and then the rest of the men
and our hero consulted at the wheel.

"By the power we ab the ship!" said Mest