"Call me at once if there is any change on deck, Mr Lowe; but I think that fellow's had enough of us," said the jubilant master. "Ay, ay, sir," said the mate, taking charge of the deck. "Keep a bright look out on yonder jagged cloud; it will take in our flying kites for us before sunset," were the captain's last words as he disappeared down the hatchway. Below, the table had been laid for breakfast by the steward, who, with all a sailor's carelessness, had proceeded with his ordinary duty, just as though nothing out of the common way had happened. In the cabin the passengers were gathered, if such they may be termed, for the scenes of peril through which they had passed had so identified them with the brig, that they seemed to look upon her as their home, while the captain, quite unused to carry passengers, and having seen the men of the party fighting as if under his orders, and Isabel wounded on his decks, had got quite to consider them as part and parcel of his crew. Captain Hughes appeared thoughtful and preoccupied; but the rest, the master included, revelled in the idea of danger past. "We lie our course, and shall soon have plenty of wind," he remarked, drawing towards himself a massive English ham, which he proceeded to carve. "I only wish I had a few more guns, and I would not let that blackguard off so easily." "You think we shall have a storm?" asked Wyzinski. "It is just the season for it in these seas," replied the captain, "and yonder cloud over the land will make itself felt before long. The mercury is falling in the barometer rapidly." "Do you think our guns did much damage among the Malays?" "No. It was a lucky shot that brought the villains' foresail on deck; but even in this smooth sea it needs practice to make gunners, and my lads have had none." "But you think the pirate has left us?" It was Captain Hughes who put the question, anxiously. "The fellow is hugging the wind instead of running down to us; and as he completely outsails us, it is a proof that he does not wish to close." "How do you account for the great confusion on board her? With so strong a crew, the foresail should have been hoisted directly." "The lubbers can fight like savages, but can't sail their ship, that's all," said the captain, laughing. Steps were heard coming down the hatchway, and the mate opened the cabin-door. "The schooner is edging nearer us, Captain Weber," he said, "and there is some long black object on her decks I can't quite make out." "I'll be on deck in a moment, Mr Lowe. Steward, give me a small glass of brandy to finish with." "Well, gentlemen," said the seaman, as he raised the glass, "here's to our voyage, and--" The word was never spoken, for a distant but loud report, followed by the rending of wood, interrupted him. For a moment the old seaman stood like a statue, the next he was on deck.