"Faix, and ye've got the best place there, Bart, me lad," cried Dinny, merrily. "Shall I come and howlt him while you take a change?" "Look here!" growled Bart, as another volley was fired at them, and the shot came hurtling round; "it's no good now. Are you going to give in?" The sailor looked from one to the other as he lay, with his head in the water at the bottom of the boat. "Well, this here ar'nt cheerful," he said. "You're beat. Why don't you give in?" "Is it weazand slitting?" he said. "Snickersnee!" "Get out!" cried Dinny. "Did they cut mine?" "Yours, you deserter!" said the sailor, contemptuously. "As much a deserter as you are, Dick Dullock. Sure, and they tuck me prishner, wid a musket to me ear and a bagnet to my chist." "You look like one," said the sailor, sourly. "Will you surrender?" growled Bart. "Yes. Can't do no more, can I? Only bear witness, all on you, as I did my dooty. Didn't I, youngster?" "You fought like a brave man," said Jack, gravely; "but it is of no use to struggle now, so give up." "Ay, I'll give in," said the sailor; "but I'm a-going to lie here till the firing's done. I'll stand fire when there's fighting o' both sides; but I'm a prisoner now, and out of it, so here I stays." Bart rose from where he had been kneeling on the man's chest, and straightened himself slowly, but only to start as a fresh volley was fired and a pellet grazed his chin; but he only uttered a savage growl like an angry beast, and made way for Dinny to sit down and row with all his strength. Suddenly a shout from the bay shore took the attention of those in the boat, and the firing ceased. "What's that mean?" cried Abel. "They've found our boat," said Jack, excitedly. It was true enough; and the fugitives redoubled their efforts to reach the cutter, while the overseer continued the firing, so as to disable some of the party before they could attain the shelter the vessel would give. Abel was hit twice, and Bart received another shot, but the distance was great now, and the pellets too small to do serious mischief; but as they rowed round behind the cutter, anxiously watching to see that no one was aboard, its hull sheltering them from the firing, the noise and the buzz of voices ashore drew their attention to the fact that the overseer, the officer, and four more had entered the boat, which started with a cheer from those left behind, and pulled rapidly in pursuit. "Quick, Bart, run up the jib while I cut the rope." "Nay, haul up to it, you and Dinny," cried Bart, as he ran forward. "It's only a grapnel." The firing recommenced now so viciously that every act on board the cutter was performed with great risk, the overseer and the officer taking it in turns to send a hail of buckshot at everyone who showed a head above the low side of the vessel.