rally to have, I'm mighty glad we came out
here."

"Small fun for the poor fellows who have been shot," answered Archie; "I
hear one of them groaning terribly; the sooner we get back to the ships
the better for them."

"Faith, it isn't pleasant to have a shot through one, and I hope that
won't be our lot," said Desmond. "I only wish Tom Rogers was with us.
From what I hear, the boats of the squadron are constantly sent away on
separate cruises to look after slavers, and it would be capital if we
could get sent off on a cruise together--much more amusing than having
to stick on board the ship with the humdrum, everyday routine of watches
and musters and divisions."

To this, of course, Archie agreed. The youngsters, forgetting that
their commander was close to them, were chattering away in somewhat loud
voices, when Murray ordered them to knock off talking, and to turn in
and go to sleep. The night passed away quietly, and all hoped to get on
board their respective ships at an early hour the next morning.

After the men had breakfasted on the island, the squadron of boats, led
by their gallant commodore, pulled down with the ebb towards the mouth
of the river, up which a stiffish breeze was blowing, just sufficient to
ripple over the surface of the water glittering in the rays of the
rising sun. On either hand rose a forest of tall trees, their feathery
tops defined against the clear blue sky. In a short time the ships
could be discerned in the offing, rolling their masts ominously from
side to side, while ahead rose a threatening wall of white foam,
extending directly across the river's mouth. The crew of the
commodore's boat ceased pulling, and the other boats as they came up
followed their example.

"Here we are, caught like mice in a trap, gentlemen!" exclaimed Adair,
as Murray and the commander of the _Busy Bee_ came up alongside him.

"It will be madness to attempt forcing the boats through yonder
breakers; the largest would be swamped directly she got among them,"
observed Murray. "It's now nearly low tide; but perhaps at the top of
high-water they may prove less formidable, and we may be able to get
out. We shall, at all events, have to wait till then."

As the boats, during this conversation, had been carried somewhat close
to the dangerous breakers, the commodore ordered them to pull round and
to make their way some little distance up the river, where the men could
lie on their oars and wait for