ss gun almost at the same moment, and the heavy ringing roar of her
explosion seemed like a prolonged echo of the broadside. The gun was
well aimed; but the schooner had already passed so far behind the point,
that the ball struck a projecting part of the cliff; dashed it into
atoms, and, glancing upwards, passed through the cap of the _Talisman's_
mizzen-mast, and brought the lower yard, with all its gear, rattling
down on the quarter-deck. When the smoke cleared away, the _Avenger_
had vanished from the scene.

To put the ship about, and follow the pirate schooner, was the first
impulse of Montague; but, on second thoughts, he felt that the risk of
getting on the rocks in the narrow channel was too great to be lightly
run. He therefore gave orders to warp the ship about, and steer round
the islet, on the other side of which he fully expected to find the
pirate. But time was lost in attempting to do this, in consequence of
the wreck of the mizzen-mast having fouled the rudder. When the
_Talisman_ at last got under way, and rounded the outside point of the
islet, no vessel of any kind was to be seen.

Amazed beyond measure, and deeply chagrined, the unfortunate captain of
the man-of-war turned to Gascoyne, who still sat quietly on the taffrail
smoking his cigar--

"Does this pirate schooner sport wings as well as sails?" said he; "for
unless she does, and has flown over the mountains, I cannot see how she
could disappear in so short a space of time."

"I told you the pirate was a bold man; and now he has proved himself a
clever fellow. Whether he sports wings or no is best known to himself.
Perhaps he can dive. If so, we have only to watch until he comes to the
surface, and shoot him leisurely."

"Well, he is off; there is no doubt of that," returned Montague. "And
now, Mr Gascoyne, since it is vain for me to chase a vessel possessed
of such mysterious qualities, you will not object, I daresay, to guide
my ship to the bay where your own little schooner lies. I have a fancy
to anchor there."

"By all means," said Gascoyne, coolly. "It will afford me much pleasure
to do as you wish, and to have you alongside of my little craft."

Montague was surprised at the perfect coolness with which the other
received this proposal. He was persuaded that there must be some
mysterious connexion between the pirate schooner and the sandal-wood
trader, although his ideas on this point were somewhat undefined and
confuse