The minute before not a soul was to be seen on board the schooner, which might have been absolutely deserted; but, as soon as the course of the _Nautilus_ was changed and those on board saw that, in spite of lying close up under the trees of the muddy shore of what appeared to be a creek, they had been observed, sails were rapidly hoisted, and the slight, graceful vessel began to glide so swiftly through the water that it was evidently no slow ship that would catch her should she once get into the offing. She was about a mile away and promised to escape, but Captain Maitland did not mean to be out-manoeuvred this time. The crew were beat to quarters, a gun fired, and the colours run up as the course of the _Nautilus_ was again altered so as to cut the schooner off, and in due time a second gun gave out its puff of smoke. But no heed was taken, and the schooner kept along close in shore till her captain saw that escape was impossible in the direction he was taking, and altering his helm, the swift vessel glided round and made off in the opposite direction. But the _Nautilus_ was again too quick for her, and in a few minutes was once more hard in chase and sending shot after shot, till one better directed than the rest went through her maintopmast. The crew of the _Nautilus_ sent up a tremendous cheer as the great spar came down with its gaff sail, leaving the schooner for the time like a bird with a broken wing. "We shall have her now for certain," said Bob Howlett. "Yes; and she has shown no colours," replied Mark; "but suppose she does not turn out to be a slaver, after all." "Suppose pigs were to fly," cried Bob. "She's a slaver for certain, and we've got her." "Doesn't look like it," replied his companion; "where's she making for now? Why, she sails as well as ever." This was a slight exaggeration, but all the same the vessel glided along rapidly, and through the glasses the crew could be seen rapidly cutting away the damaged rigging, while her helm was manipulated so that she appeared to be sailing right for the shore. Another shot and another was fired, but not the slightest heed was paid; and as the _Nautilus_ went swiftly on, it was noted that, unseen before, there was a narrow river running up through the trees, with its regular fringe of mangroves, and the schooner was being steered for this. "She'll get right up that river, after all," said Mark, who in the excitement had forgotten all his past illness, and appeared to be as strong as ever. "Not she. We shall have her first, my lad. Hurray! look, she has given in. They've stopped and surrendered." "She has struck on one of the banks, sir," cried Lieutenant Staples, excitedly, for the schooner's way through the water had suddenly ceased, and she slowly swung round broadside on, with her sails shivering and flapping.