tir up her fires and get
under way pretty smartly, or they will have slipped by before she can
pounce down on them."

The signal was made, and in a short time a column of black smoke was
seen ascending from the funnel of the ship. Two of the boats were at
the island, with armed crews ready to pull off towards any dhows which
might come near enough to be overtaken. The boats had already seen the
signal from the headland, and were pulling out from under the lee of the
island. The dhows had not as yet, apparently, discovered that foes were
at hand. Out glided the steamer, her black smoke clearly indicating
what she was. Two of the inshore dhows quickly disappeared behind an
intervening point, almost as high as that on which Tom and his party
were posted. The boats, each selecting her prey, pulled away towards
two dhows nearest the island, while the ship steered towards three
others which were somewhat farther out and ahead of the rest.

The wind was strong; they were all carrying moderate sail, and as they
made no apparent effort to escape, it was supposed that they were legal
traders. Such for some time, apparently, was the commander's opinion,
as the ship's head was seen to be turning more to the southward towards
one of the other dhows. Just then a sail of one of the leading dhows
was seen to come down.

"She's carried something away," exclaimed Tom; "and the ship can easily
overhaul her."

"No, she hasn't," exclaimed Desmond; "see, she's only been shifting her
canvas;" and presently, in spite of the fresh breeze, an enormous sail
was spread in lieu of the smaller one. The other dhows followed her
example, and the ship was quickly in chase of them, setting, as she went
along, sail after sail; and as the broad sheets of white canvas were
expanded to the breeze, her speed was evidently increased.

"She's not got her full steam up yet," observed Desmond; "when she has,
she'll be after them like a shot."

"The shot must fly pretty fast then; see how they bowl along," cried
Tom; "look, two of them are edging in for the land, while the third
holds her course. The ship seems doubtful which she will follow. They
may be all rogues together; or the last may be honest, and only wishes
to lead her a wild-goose chase for the sake of favouring the others.
No; the commander has made up his mind that the last is no better than
the rest. See, he's determined to make her heave-to, at all events."

As Tom spoke, a puff