Part 60 (1/2)

Directly after theso, and directly after, to the lad's annoyance and disgust, the cabin was partially darkened by a sail being hung down over the stern

”To keep us frorumbled dick Bannock

”No,” said Mark; ”to keep us froh they could not see, they could hear, and they all sat listening with intense excitement as shot followed shot, and the schooner lay so much over to one side that it was evident that she was carrying a very heavy press of sail, and that the slaver captain was straining every nerve to escape

”Now, then,” cried Mark, ”be ready for a rush either at the door or up through the skylight, in case the boats board We can then take the Yankee between two fires”

”Ay, ay, sir,” cried To your pardon, sir, as sohtylass_ is terrible bad shots I want 'em to hit us--forrard, o' course; not here”

”They could hit fast enough,” said Mark, petulantly, for he was in great pain, ”only they are firing at the rigging, so as not to injure the slaves”

”Course I forget that, sir; only if they don't bring down a spar, and the beggars escape again, where are we?”

Just at thatat the cabin door, as if so removed; and as the prisoners listened, the skipper's voice was heard at the skylight

”Below there!” he cried ”Ah, it's of no use I'ot a boat alongside ready; that door's a-going to be opened, and one of yeill come out a time, and tumble into the boat One at a ti, we'll shoot you doithout mercy Do yew hear?”

”Yes, I hear,” said Mark bitterly

”Soon as yew're all over the side, we'll cut yew adrift; and when yew're skipper picks yew up, yew er overboard before he shall take us, and run the schooner aground and blow her up this tie when Captain Maitland has you safely in irons, sir,” said Mark, stoutly

”Thankye,” said the skipper; and at that iven, the cabin door was dragged open

”What d'yer say to a rush, sir?” whispered Tom Fillot

He had hardly uttered the words, when there was a fresh crashi+ng noise, a heavy report, and a splintering of wood, acco sound The door was clapped to again and fastened, and as there was a rush of feet, a shouting of orders, and the sound of axes being used, the schooner swung round, stopped, and the prisoners set up a cheer

”Main ”We can ai and throbbing from his burns on the instant, as he snatched out his dirk, for knowing as well as if he could see everything that the whole of the after-rigging was lying across the deck and dragging at the side, so that the schooner lay on the water like a gull with a broken wing, he felt that in a few minutes a couple of boats' crews from the _Nautilus_ would be aboard; and if there was to be any resistance, noas the time to make a diversion

”Make ready, my lads,” he cried ”Cutlasses only Quick!”

Just then there was a fresh crackling and breaking sound, and the skylight, through which he hadover it of a part of the great sail and the gaff; so that they were in twilight

”Better try the door, sir,” cried To behind”

”Quick, then, quick!” cried Mark, excitedly; and theof orders on deck grew et out, Tom,” cried Mark, ”and et here first, they will claim to have taken the schooner, and rob us of all the honour”

”We'll try, sir,” cried Tom ”Go it, my lads! Lay your backs into it

Soup, heave!”