CAUGHT. 



195 



carefully obliterated. A last look round ; another glance 

 at the compass ; and then they all come slithering down 

 the rough rocks, and once more tumble one by one 

 into the boat, which a man is backing stem first towards 

 the shore. Quickly they row back and scramble on 

 board. The schooner's head falls off, and away she 

 stands, once more, for the open sea and the main. 



But in spite of all their feverish hurry they are too 

 late ; and just because their luck is dead out they run 

 smack into the King's ship which is on the look out 

 for them. Barely have they cleared the islands before 

 they see her. All her sails are drawing and bellying 

 out before the stiff Trades. She is coming down with 

 the wind going great guns ; and just as they clear the 

 southernmost island, making eastwards, she clears the 

 easternmost, making south-westerly. 



Look, boys ! They're caught, fair as mice in a trap. 

 Yes ! the King's men have got 'em. Why they haven't 

 even a dog's chance to wear their schooner round and 

 shew a clean pair of heels. 



See ! there goes the red and white flag of St. George, 

 fluttering up to the peak — a spurt of smoke comes from 

 a gun in the bows, and a round shot goes crashing over 

 the waves, across the front of the chase. It is answered 

 with a wild defiant yell, and by every gun that can be 

 brought to bear by a desperate crew. 



It is enough ! down goes the warship's helm, men 

 swarm to the sheets and braces. The ship heels over, 

 as she comes round and shoots along on a parallel course 

 to the schooner's, but with the weather gage. All her 

 starboard broadside is brought to bear by the manoeuvre — 

 crash it comes — fearful and devastating. The sloop 

 staggers on with shattered spars — outsailed and out- 

 manoeuvred. Crash comes another roar of guns as the 

 King's ship forges far ahead. Presently down goes her 

 hehn again, bringing her up into the wind. For half 

 a minute all her sails shake and shiver in the strong 

 breeze. Then as they fill again, the warship comes 



