being captured, either by bringing them on shore or beating off the
English, induced them to go back and make a second attempt; but scarcely
had they collected when another shell pitched right into the boat,
shattering her to pieces, and laying low two more of their number.

This was more than their greed of gain could stand; again they took to
flight, following their chief, who made towards the only shady spot in
the neighbourhood, where a horse was left tethered. Mounting, he
galloped off, followed by the rest of his gang on foot.

The party on the hill were at first doubtful whether they ought to
follow the fugitives, as Desmond had suggested. Tom, however, thought
that they decidedly ought to prevent any slaves who might be landed from
escaping. One of the dhows was seen hoisting her sail. Having cut her
cable, she stood out to sea, while the other two, in order to give her a
better chance of escaping, commenced firing at the boat, expecting that
she would at once attack them. The lieutenant, however, had made up his
mind to have all three, and, disregarding their shots, he pulled away
after the first, at the same time firing his bow-gun at her rigging.
She was a fast vessel, and was leading the boat out of harbour. The
other two dhows, seeing this, began to hoist their sails for the purpose
of slipping out astern of her. As he might possibly lose all three, the
lieutenant now put back, and managed to run on board one of the dhows.

The Arabs fought desperately, and it seemed doubtful who would gain the
victory. "I wish we were on board to help them!" exclaimed Desmond; "if
I thought we could swim as far, I should propose going off to her."

"Better stay where we are," said Tom; "we shall have work enough to do.
See, the other dhow is coming round with the intention of running on
shore; probably those on board don't see their friends scampering off,
and they hope to re-land their slaves. It is fortunate we are here to
prevent them escaping; perhaps they have been so busily engaged that
they may not have seen us, and I propose that we hide ourselves behind
those rocks out there, and, if the slaves land, we can rush out and
surprise them." The plan suggested by Tom was instantly put into
execution. Notwithstanding the opposition of the crew, the dhow
attacked by the lieutenant was quickly captured, and again brought to an
anchor; when, leaving some of his people on board, he made sail after
the first dho