Part 25 (2/2)

As the commodore, turning his back, strutted aft, fuming as before, Higson, shaking hands with the first lieutenant, exclaimed--

”I wish that we may have the chance of meeting as friends another time; for you're a good fellow, that you are.”

He and Desmond then beat a retreat to the gangway. The lieutenant was so pleased with the last remark, that he ordered side-ropes to be s.h.i.+pped and the side to be manned, and the English officers took their departure in a rather more dignified manner than they had arrived.

”There seems a good chance of our having a brush with the Dons,”

observed Desmond, as soon as they had shoved off and were pulling for the sh.o.r.e.

”Perhaps the consul will settle matters, but if not I'm very certain that Mr Murray will stand no nonsense,” answered Higson.

No opposition was made to their landing, and Desmond and Needham easily found their way to the British consulate. For some reason the consul had not returned, and their friend, the vice-consul, said that he had used every effort to obtain the liberation of the prisoners, but in vain. He was evidently in a great state of alarm, and confessed that he feared the worst. He had, however, been a.s.sured that the young lady and the two mids.h.i.+pmen should be properly treated, although the authorities were very angry at hearing of the escape of Desmond and his companion, and he advised them to get back to the boat as fast as possible, feeling a.s.sured that if recognised they would be recaptured.

”The fellows had better not attempt it with the English flag over their heads,” exclaimed Higson; ”however, we will get back and make our report to our commander. If you can manage the matter, and let them know that we are in earnest, he may possibly draw in his horns.”

The vice-consul shrugged his shoulders, and Higson and his party got back to the boat and pulled out as fast as the crew could bend to their oars towards the _Supplejack_. Higson was anxious to be on board, for he was very sure that no time was to be lost.

Murray, on hearing his report, was not long in determining what to do.

”We must go in and insist on the liberation of our friends,” he said.

”I'm sure, my lads, you'll stand by me.”

A cheer from the crew showed that they were in the right spirit to dare and do anything that he might require. The head-yards were braced round, the helm put up, and the brig stood boldly into the harbour.

Murray intended to pa.s.s the corvette, and bring up as near the town as the water would allow.

The corvette in the meantime had got a spring on her cable, her ports were open and her guns run out.

The little _Supplejack_ stood on, nothing daunted.

”I don't think that Don Whiskerandos will dare to stop us, though he boasted so much when we were on board,” observed Desmond to Higson.

”You're mistaken, my boy.”

Higson had just time to reply when a broadside from the corvette came hissing through the air; one shot only, however, struck the brig and shot away her forestay.

”We must not allow this to pa.s.s unnoticed,” exclaimed Murray. ”Reserve your fire, however, my lads, till I give the order.”

The long gun was pointed at the corvette, the port carronade was run over to the starboard side. Murray waited till the brig had got directly ahead of the enemy.

”Blaze away, now, my lads,” he shouted, and a raking fire from his three guns was poured into the corvette, sweeping her deck fore and aft.

The wind being light and the brig's courses being clewed up, she glided slowly through the water, and the guns were again loaded and fired into the bows of the corvette before the latter could return another shot.

The brig had just way enough on her to go about. The long gun was slewed round, and the others run over to the port side, and fired, greatly to the astonishment of the corvette's crew, before they had managed to bring their guns to bear on her; when they did their shot flew wide or through her rigging, and not one hit her. The brig was now almost stationary, her crew working with a will, fired all their guns twice before the Spaniards had returned another shot.

”Well done, my lads,” cried Higson, ”we have given them as many shots as they have sent at us.”

Such was the case, and every shot from the brig had told with good effect.

”A few more as well aimed, and the Dons, depend on it, will cry, 'peccavi,'” he added.

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