s on her, and should they continue to gain on
her at the same rate, they might soon be throwing shot and shell through
her canvas.

The men, when they heard what was taking place, entered fully into the
feelings of their officers. Many a sincere prayer was offered up that
the dhow might be taken and the murderers punished. Anxiously the
course of the sun was watched as it sank towards the distant coast; for
should night come on before the dhow was captured, the murderous Arabs
might escape from the avenger of blood in hot pursuit after them.

"If they have been guilty of the horrible deed we suspect, I don't think
that they will escape," said Jack. "Even if they do get free of us,
Heaven will inflict on them the punishment they deserve, by some other
means."

Two more hours passed, when, the brig having gained another mile, the
hopes of all on board rose proportionately. At length Needham came aft.
"I think, sir, we might reach her with our long six-pounder, and a shot
or two through her sails would take the speed out of her." Already the
sun's lower limb was touching the horizon.

"The experiment is worth trying," answered Rogers.

The gun was mounted on the forecastle, and charged with a shell. The
first shell burst astern of the dhow, which still continued standing on.
Needham was quickly ready, and fired another. "Hurrah!" he exclaimed;
"I thought so." It touched her large sail, and, exploding at the same
moment, rent it in all directions. Still she did not heave-to. A third
and fourth shell were thrown, the sail being again torn by the latter.
The brig now gained fast on the chase; still, so rapidly does darkness
come on after sunset in that latitude, that the Arabs possibly still
hoped to effect their escape. Their courage, however, at length gave
way, as one shot after another struck them, and both sails were seen to
come down together. The brig now quickly got up with the chase, and,
heaving-to to leeward, two boats were lowered, Tom accompanying the
second lieutenant in one, with the interpreter, while Needham had charge
of the other.

As they got up alongside, about thirty piratical-looking ruffians,
headed by their skipper, stood prepared to receive them. They appeared
in no way disconcerted as the English leaped on board.

"Ask the negoda what has become of the slaves with which he lately
sailed, Hamed," said the lieutenant.

The Arab answered at some length: "He says they have had no s