THE RED TARTANE. 56*7 



when the whitish smoke had passed away, she was again seen dark 

 and silent, the light in the stern being occasionally obscured by a form 

 that passed and repassed in the cabin. 



" Senor Captain/' said Alvarez, " all the shot took effect ; and, 

 though the accursed vessel stirs not, I would swear there is some one 

 on board." 



" We will tack again," replied Massareo, " while you and I, with 

 Peres, and that poltroon Jago, who, however, can counsel well, de- 

 termine what shall be done." And putting about, the vessel ran 

 gently eastward, while the four officers were deliberating. 



Several plans were proposed and rejected; when the prudent Jago 

 exclaimed : 



" With the protection of our Lady, here is what I would briefly 

 advise : arm the launch well, and send ten men quietly on board 

 her ; what think you, gentlemen ?" 



The others had thought of this plan too the most reasonable that 

 could be employed but suspecting that he who proposed it, would 

 naturally be charged with its execution, had carefully abstained from 

 mentioning it. 



The inconceivable temerity of Jago relieved them from this em- 

 barrassment, and with one voice they praised and extolled so excellent 

 a proposition, the lieutenant seeing too late in what a dangerous 

 position he had placed himself. 



" Brother Jago/' said Alvarez, " you are indeed a fortunate fellow ! 

 Such a chance of gaining promotion is not to be met with every day !" 

 and humming a tune carelessly, he disappeared by the gun-room 

 ladder. 



" But," exclaimed the unhappy lieutenant, in the utmost confusion, 

 "I did not say " 



" You will have the best chance for boarding to starboard," said 

 Peres ; " to board to larboard is unlucky. And this is what will pro- 

 bably happen : You arrive within a boat's length they fire ; you 

 run alongside they sink the boat; you cling to the chains, and 

 whatever you can lay hold of, to get on deck very well ; but while 

 you are climbing on deck, other ports are unmasked, and you find 

 yourself muzzle to muzzle, with a dozen of tromblous evases crammed 

 full of balls, nails, and iron, which, as you may suppose, give you the 

 devil's own reception killing three-fourths of the men you have 

 left ; those who remain, rush forward like wild cats, and fight man 

 to man ; you are probably killed ; but it will be gloriously, and that 

 is sufficient. Ah ! why am I not in your place !'' And with a pro- 

 found sigh, the malicious Peres quickly disappeared down the gun- 

 room scuttle. 



" But, by the holy Virgin/' exclaimed Jago, "though I gave this 

 advice I did not intend to execute it myself, and as they envy my 

 place " 



" No, Jago," interrupted Massareo, " as you have sown so you 

 shall reap ; this mission is yours by right, and you shall have it. 

 The boat shall be well armed and manned, and you shall want for 

 nothing ; did not my station compel me to remain on board, you 

 should not have commanded this expedition. Go, my son, and 



