second onslaught, and this time divided his men into
three parts--one to board at the bows, one at the stern, and himself
leading a dozen picked men at the waist.

This division of his forces was the best manouvre he could possibly
make, and succeeded admirably, since his own people outnumbered the
slavers, and by dividing them he strengthened his own power and weakened
theirs. Once more upon their deck, the hand-to-hand battle was short,
bloody and decisive, until towards its close, Captain Bramble found
himself driven into the forecastle with a number of his followers, and
at the same moment saw the mate of the "Sea Witch," with those of his
people that were left alive hastening to embark in a quarterboat, and
pull away from the vessel's side with great speed.

A sort of instinct explained to him the meaning of this, and hurrying
his people on shore with the wounded, they sought the shelter of the
jungle once more. Scarcely had they gained the shade of the thick
undergrowth, when a report like that of a score of cannons rang upon the
night air, and high in the air soared a body of flame and wreck in
terrific confusion. The slavers had placed a slow match in connection
with the magazine, and had blown in one instant of time that entire and
beautiful fabric into ten thousand atoms!

Even Maud, with all her hatred and passion, quailed at the shock, and
trembled as she crouched to the ground with averted face. She realized
the result of her treachery, but looked in vain for the object on whom
she had hoped to reck the strength of her indignation and her hate.
Where was he? This was a question that Captain Bramble had several times
asked; but in vain, until now, when suddenly there appeared before their
eves, hastening towards the scene, Captain Will Ratlin.

"Seize him, my men! seize him, and bind his arms!--he is our prisoner,"
said the English officer.

"By what authority do you give such an order as that, Captain Bramble?"
asked the young commander.

"In the queen's name, sir; in the name of the English people, who abhor
pirates and slavers!" was the taunting reply of the Englishman.

"Stand back!" said Captain Ratlin, felling two seamen to the earth who
approached him to lay hands upon his person, and at the same time
drawing a revolver from his pocket. "Stand back, I say! I carry the
lives of six of you in this weapon, and I am not one to miss my aim, as
your valiant leader yonder well knows.--Now, Captain Bra