s good with a revolver as any of his
seniors--and fifteen men, counting in Snowball, who was as good as two
others any day, besides Jem Backstay, who was a regular giant.

"Now, men," said the lieutenant addressing them--"Captain, I have your
permission to take the command?"

"Certainly, sir," said Captain Morton. "You're my senior officer in the
service, and I wouldn't wish to fight under a braver!"

"Well then, men," resumed the lieutenant, "we all here, _Albatrosses_
and _Hankow Lins_ alike, fight under one flag, the Union Jack of Old
England! Stop, don't cheer, men, or those pirate scoundrels will hear
us too soon, and we don't want 'em to hear us till they feel us! Men, I
want you to be cool--I know you are brave--and wait my word of command
before you utter a shout or draw a trigger. That pirate scoundrel is
plucky enough, and will take some beating; but he'll get it soon enough
if you only obey orders. Captain Morton, will you take charge of the
guns, please, with Mr Scuppers? Boatswain, you with that brave black
fellow, and two other hands, will mind the forecastle, to prevent
boarders coming up while we are attacking them elsewhere. I shall want
eight hands along with me for the gig, to clear her away, and get her
ready to lower to leeward, when the pirate comes alongside to windward.
When we've given them a good sweeping discharge, and cleared their deck,
captain, I shall, after reloading, drop into the gig, and board her on
her weather-side, so that'll take them between two fires. Now, men,
quick to your posts! Boatswain, to the forecastle with three others;
gig's men step out, four blue-jackets and four _Hankow Lins_; the others
of my cutter's crew will work the guns."

"May I come with you, sir?" said Mr Sprott anxiously. "I have no
special duty here, and I'd like to pay out that cut across my jib on
some of them piratical scoundrels!"

"Aye, you can come," said Mr Meredith cordially, "and glad I'll be to
have such a brave fellow with me. Now, is everything ready in the gig,
and the falls all slack for lowering?"

"Aye, aye, sir," said the coxswain. "Right as a trivet."

"Well, then, see to your small-arms, men. Have them all loaded ready,
like the guns. The surprise will favour us at first, but we shall have
to fight hard afterwards, as they'll muster pretty numerous if the
account I have received be true."

All these preparations being complete, the guns loaded, and ready for
discha