The next minute he was on the main-deck, giving his orders. "They can't board us," he said, "but they can cut that boat adrift, and carry her off with all those provisions on board. Now, Mr Frewen, you will help us. Mr Preddle, be ready to come and haul when you are asked, but in the meantime I leave the arms to you. See that they are all loaded and laid ready on the saloon-table, and with the ammunition to hand." "Yes, I'll do that," he said eagerly; and he was moving off. "Stop," cried Mr Brymer. "There is a small keg of powder in the cable-tier, get that in the saloon too; and in the locker in my cabin you'll find some big cartridges and shot. Everything is there. Do you think you can load and prime the cannon?" He pointed as he spoke to the small brass gun, used for signalling when going into port. "I never loaded a big one," said Mr Preddle, "but I used to have a brass one when I was a boy, and I've loaded and fired that." "It is precisely the same, sir. Have it ready, and a poker in the galley red-hot. Bah! we have no fire." "Wrong, sir. Stove's going, and the kettle nearly on the bile," growled Dumlow, who had limped up. "Bravo!" cried the mate. "They have not taken us yet. Off with you, Mr Preddle. Now, Hampton, we must either get that boat on board, or save all we can, and then she must be stove in." "Which would be a pity, sir," said Bob Hampton. "She's heavy, and we're few, but I think if you'll help get out all you can from her, water-breakers and sech, I can slew round the yard, and rig up tackle as 'll do the job." "Right! Up with you! Now, Blane, and you, Dale, have the boat round here to the gangway, and down into her. Mr Frewen, you and I will lower tackle, and have all up we can to lighten her." The men cheered, and, as excited as they were, I added my shout, and the next minute we were all at work as ordered by the mate. The boat was soon brought round, made fast, and by the time Barney and I were in, the port-gangway was opened, and tackle lowered, to which we made fast one of the breakers of water, and saw it hauled up. The other followed, and then cases, biscuit-bags, everything heavy was roped together and hauled up on them, till nothing remained but small things that it would have taken too long to collect. "Now then," shouted Mr Brymer, "look out!" and there was a creaking and clanging sound as the iron wheel of the tackle used for loading and unloading the cargo spun round, and the falls for running up boats to the davits descended, and were hooked on bow and stern. "Now then, up with you!" cried the mate; and we seized the rope lowered, and climbed on board. "Are they close here, sir?" I panted. "Don't talk; no. Ready there at the capstan?" "Ay, ay," came back. "Haul away then."