in performing
which the three Arabs had been killed, and to hoist up the sail, aided
by several of the crew, whom they compelled at the point of their swords
to lend a hand; while, one of the seamen being sent to the helm, the
dhow steered after the pinnace in hot chase of the still uncaptured
slaver, the canoe, which had hitherto been alongside, being stowed
astern.

The deck of the dhow, on board which the midshipmen found themselves,
presented a horrible appearance. The three men who had first been shot
lay stiff and stark, weltering in their blood at the foot of the mast.
Farther off sat the negoda, with a shot through his leg and another in
his body, glaring fiercely at them; while another man lay not far off,
writhing in agony, with life ebbing fast. The rest of the crew, greasy,
dirty ruffians, with close-fitting turbans and caps on their heads,
baggy trousers, and vests covering their bodies, stood about with sulky,
hang-dog looks, regarding the victors.

"We must keep an eye on these fellows," said Jerry Bird to Archie;
"they'll not mind cutting our throats if they have the chance."

"Little doot aboot that," said Archie; "but hallo! here's our old friend
Mustapha Longchops. How did he get on board?"

It was very evident that the old chief must have scrambled up after the
seamen boarded, and stowed himself away till the fight was over. What
was his object in so doing was difficult to ascertain.

"It wasn't with any good intention, I've a notion," said Desmond;
"however, we'll be up to him."

"I think, sir," said Jerry Bird, "we may as well see if they've got any
more arms stowed away. If they have, the sooner they're hove overboard
the better; for if they get hold of them, the Arabs would prove somewhat
ugly customers on a dark night."

Jerry's advice was followed. While two of the hands kept an eye on the
crew on deck, Jerry and Desmond, with the rest, searched the
after-cabin, and discovered no less than a dozen muskets, several
pistols and swords, and some formidable-looking knives or daggers, which
would have proved deadly weapons in the hands of the Arabs. They were
all quickly hove overboard, greatly to the disgust of their former
owners. They were, however, not the only articles discovered.

"Hallo! what's this?" cried Jerry, drawing out a box from the locker;
"it seems pretty heavy for its size. Shouldn't be surprised to find it
full of gold."

Desmond, who was superintending the se