tive in the
cabin, while the bustle of preparation for war went on overhead; we say
alone, because her father, although there, was too much exhausted to act
the part of companion or comforter in any degree.

Meanwhile the gun-boat approached close to the enemy, and it soon became
apparent that they meant to fight--trusting, no doubt, to their very
decided superiority in numbers.

"They mean mischief," said the captain, as he shut up his telescope.

"Faix, an' they'll git it too," replied Rooney Machowl, who chanced to
be near at the time, though the remark was not addressed to him.

To this the captain made no reply, save by a grim curl of his black
moustache, as he once more ascended to his exposed position on the
bridge. From this outlook he could see plainly that the pirates were
lashing their three prows together, and training all their guns on one
side, where the attack was expected. As each prow mounted twelve guns,
they could thus fire a broadside of thirty-six heavy pieces, besides
small arms.

The men of the gun-boat were now all at their quarters, eagerly awaiting
the order to begin. The captain descended and went round among them, so
as to inspect everything with his own eye.

"Now, lads," he said, in passing, "remember, not a single shot till I
give you positive orders."

He returned to the bridge. Although naturally disinclined to parley
with scoundrels, he felt that he had a duty to perform, and resolved to
go close up, and, if possible, induce them to surrender. But he was
saved the trouble of attempting a parley, for while yet six hundred
yards off, a regular volley burst from the sides of the pirate vessels.

Again the black moustache curled, but this time with a touch of
ferocity, for the shot partly took effect, cutting the rigging to some
extent, killing one man of the crew, and wounding several. A
musket-ball also struck his own cap and knocked it off his head.

"Just hand that up," he said, pointing to the cap.

One of the men obeyed, and the captain, taking a look at the hole,
replaced it. Still he gave no order to fire, although the pirates were
seen to be busily re-loading.

Hanging up to within a hundred yards, the captain looked quickly at his
men.

"Port, a little," said he to the man at the wheel.

"Are you ready?"

"Ay, ay, sur," from Rooney Machowl, in a deep bass undertone.

"Fire!"

As if but one piece had been fired the whole broadside burst from the
side of