tion, where some of the little Mtpe dhows will be trying to make runs
from the mainland, thinking the coast unguarded, I intend leaving the
pinnace behind to cruise about the Comoro Islands until I get back with
the _Dolphin_, and, as you are the only responsible man I could trust to
take charge of the boat and crew, you must remain here. Pass the word
at once for the boatswain to pipe away the pinnace and see that she is
properly stowed and provisioned.'

"This was a good deal more than I had bargained for. I thought I should
have been allowed to remain as prize-master of the _Fatima_ and sail her
up to Zanzibar, as that was what the captain had hinted the night
before. However, of course I put the best face I could on the matter,
and contented myself with seeing that the water barricoes and stores
were properly put on board the pinnace, while all the other men who had
not to remain behind with me and the boat were in high glee getting
ready for the fresh chase, the news being already whispered about in the
messes--hoping that they would have just such another scrimmage again as
they had had the day before at the capture of the _Fatima_.

"Captain Wilson did not `let the grass grow under his feet,' as the
saying goes--though it's rather a queer one for a seaman to use--in
carrying out what he had decided on.

"Before the blazing African sun was an hour old, by which time too the
rain had stopped falling, the second lieutenant of the _Dolphin_ was
transferred to the command of the captured dhow, our `First Swab' having
been wounded, taking with him all the prisoners that had been previously
removed to our vessel for safety, although they were now bound securely
with ropes and had a guard set over them to prevent their doing
mischief, besides some additional hands to navigate the _Fatima_--which,
hoisting her big lugs on the jury-masts we had rigged up the previous
evening, and casting off the _Dolphin's_ tow-rope, was soon standing up
the coast on her way to Zanzibar, keeping well inshore now, as that
course was safest since the wind had changed.

"Hardly had the dhow got well off than the pinnace was lowered into the
water alongside the steamer, her crew dropping in one by one, and I, of
course, descending last. We had provisions and water on board to last
us for six weeks, the usual time that boats are sent away from the
vessels to which they belong on the east coast when cruising
independently, as they all tak