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MR. DYKER made a grievous mistake in thinking any kind of a fight would please me.

Although comparatively little damage had been done us by the guns of the enemy, owing to poor marksmanship and the heavy swell, what I had seen below was more than enough to sicken me of warfare.

Donald, however, having really taken part in the running fight, was still so wrought up by the excitement of it all that he was most eager to give the Portuguese a flogging for having interfered in what was none of his business, and, being on deck when the order was given to chase the man-of-war, said to me, in a tone of satisfaction:

"I should be mightily disappointed if Captain Tom did not overhaul that fellow.  He needs a taste of Yankee shot, and I venture to say he'll get it."

"The brig is six guns heavier than the Comet"

"And it would make little difference to us if she carried sixteen more than we; the flogging would be given just the same.  But why do you look so glum, Stephen Burton?  Surely you are not in favour of letting the Portuguese go free?"

"I am not certain that it is for us to say how he shall go.  We have captured two prizes, and in such an unequal fight that it should be sufficient satisfaction for us, without running after an enemy nearly twice our strength.  Why not let well enough alone, instead of taking the chances of losing all we have gained?"

"I don't count that we are taking any chances; we can whip him out of his boots."

"You have grown wonderfully valiant since you and I last talked together, Donald Fyffe!"

"Perhaps that is to be accounted for by the fact that I have been where the fighting was done, instead of here on deck, with nothing to do save give full sway to my fears."

At that moment our conversation was interrupted by Abraham Dyker, who shouted for Donald to come below, and fortunately my comrade was bound to obey the summons, for, had he remained with me a single moment longer, I am afraid something would have been said that might have caused an unpleasantness between us, so vexed was I that he should have been thus eager for more fighting.

However, Donald's bravery and my timorousness should have no place here while the gallant little Comet is pursuing the hulking brig that had meddled with what did not concern her.

It can be guessed that with a Baltimore clipper under our feet, and she commanded by such a man as Captain Tom Boyle, the chase was not a long one.  We could have sailed three knots to her two, and, in less than five minutes after my comrade went below, the schooner was luffed up into the wind sufficiently to permit of our gunners raking the Portuguese fore and aft.

Even in the gloom I could see the white splinters fly from her quarter in a. perfect shower, and but for the fact that immediately afterward our main-deck guns were discharged, I believe we might have heard the cries of the wounded.

Then it was for the first time I began to share in Donald's excitement, and longed most earnestly to go below, where I could be of some service, rather than forced to remain idle at Captain Tom's heels.

This punishment seemed to arouse the Portuguese, for instead of trying to escape, as had at first seemed his intention; he began manoeuvring to get the weather-gage of us.

It can be understood that this was not an easy matter when such a skilful sailor as Captain Tom was opposed to him, and, after doing his best for ten minutes or more, the Portuguese came about.

With each on a different tack, we passed within half a musket-shot, and when we were abreast the brig she gave us a broadside without so much as starting a rope, so high did her shot fly; but when Captain Tom gave the word our grape cut the enemy's rigging in a hundred places, until it seemed certain she must be unmanageable.

It is only fair to say that the Portuguese were good sailors, otherwise they could not so quickly have repaired the damage, for in a reasonably short time the brig attempted to wear, and then was come our opportunity.

Captain Tom bore up, although in so doing we got another broadside; but the guns were as badly served as before, and then we were well under the brig's port quarter.

Now every gunner on board the Comet set to work with a will, and not a shot was wasted.

I could see the brig's crew fall here and there, until I believe no less than twenty were out of the fight, and in my savage joy I cried aloud with glee.

Captain Tom himself served the swivel on the main-deck, and three times in rapid succession was it loaded and discharged, carrying death and wounds to those on the brig's gun-deck, before she could crawl out from her dangerous position.

There was no longer any fight left in the Portuguese; they had received a full dose of Yankee iron, and were now most eager to get out of range.

If we had pursued, she must have been sunk offhand, unless some accident befell us; but our captain, eager to secure his prizes and not of the mind to continue the lesson to the brig's commander, allowed her to sneak away while we returned to the ship and brig which had surrendered.

On our course we passed the third Britisher, and she, believing it was our purpose to serve out such a dose as had been given the Portuguese, quickly hauled down her flag.

We had beaten off the foreigner and captured three merchantmen, despite the odds against us, and little wonder is it that, when this third English flag was lowered, our crew set up such shouts of rejoicing as must have been heard by all the enemy.

Only two shots had struck our hull, although of course the Comet's rigging was cut in many places, and some of the smaller spars severely wounded; but, considering the damage we had done, it was as if the schooner came out of the conflict scot-free.

Donald came on deck, intending, no doubt, to laugh at me for having been so timorous as to believe we could not whip the Portuguese; but finding that the scent of the battle was in my nostrils quite as strong as it had been in his, he forbore any sarcastic remarks, and joined me in the general rejoicings.

Now that our work had been done so handsomely, I was at a loss to know how we might be able to take advantage of that which was gained.

By this time, the moon having set, it was so dark that one could hardly see the prizes with the naked eye.

Both Donald and I were satisfied that there would be no attempt made at boarding them; but in this we were mistaken.

Captain Tom ran the schooner alongside the ship, which proved to be the George, of Liverpool, and her captain reported that so much damage had been done it was only through the greatest exertions he could keep her afloat.

"I'll stand by you until morning," our commander cried," and should there be imminent danger of foundering, show a flare on your quarter."

Then we stood off to the last brig that had hauled down her flag, which proved to be the Gambier, of Hull, and learned that she had been as badly damaged as the ship.

Captain Tom gave the same command as he had to the George, and we stood over for the last of the three, -the Bowes, also of Liverpool.

She had not suffered as much as the others, and to my surprise I heard the order given for a prize-crew to be thrown on board.

How it might be done in the darkness and with such a sea running, I had no idea; but, from the little we had already seen of Captain Tom, I understood full well that there would be no hesitation at carrying out his commands.

After speaking a few moments with the first officer and Mr. Harker, my uncle turned to me, and said:

"I am minded to give you lads a better show to learn sailoring than you can get by remaining on board the Comet.  You will go with the prize-crew, which is to be under the command of Mr. Harker, and see to it that you do full duty aboard."

"Are we to take our sea-chests, sir?" I asked, and the tears of vexation were very near my eyelids at the thought of leaving the schooner just at a time when I was beginning, or fancied I was, to forget my timorousness.

"No; what you stand in will be enough, for it may be you'll join us again before we reach the home port.  We shall rendezvous off Natal."

Again we took our places in the long-boat, and for the second time that night found ourselves tossed to and fro on the dangerous waters; but now there was no Portuguese brig to fire into us, and we made the trip in safety, though not without many misgivings on my part.

It was with a sense of deepest relief that I found myself on board the Bowes, and saw her captain formally surrender the brig to Mr. Harker.

The crew had not come off uninjured during their share in the running fight.  No less than eight round-shot had found lodgment in the hull.  The upper spars were carried away, and much work was needed to repair the rigging.

There were sixteen of us all told in this prize-crew, and thirty-one of the enemy; but such disparity in numbers gave us no uneasiness, for it was understood that at daybreak, or as soon thereafter as might be convenient, the prisoners would be transferred to the Comet.

However, it was now only about midnight, and in order to better protect ourselves the brig's crew was ordered into the forecastle, where they must have found snug quarters, and the hatches closed on them.

The officers were locked in their berths, and when this had been done, our men set about repairing the brig so far as might be possible in the night.

We were hove to, as a matter of course, therefore all hands were at liberty to set about making good the rigging; but in such a task Donald and I, however willing, could be of little service, because of our ignorance.

"You shall act as lookouts, lads, one forward and the other aft," Mr. Harker said, after having set his men to work.  "Keep sharp watch with one eye for any signalling which may be made from the schooner, and let the other be on the prisoners, for we have too many aboard to take any chances. There are four wounded men in the deck-house, and they should be looked after now and then.  The captain tells me none of them are seriously hurt; but yet it may be possible for you to do something towards relieving their sufferings, therefore bear them in mind every half hour or so."

I gave Donald the choice as to whether he would go forward or aft, and he chose the latter place, with the understanding that we were to take turns in looking after the disabled men.

Lanterns were hung here and there around the deck that the crew might be able to see what they were about, and although I was stationed at some distance from our men, it was not a lonely vigil, such as usually falls to the lot of the lookout.

We could only guess where the Comet might be, for although, now and then, when the vessels rose on the swell, we could see lights, it was impossible to say whether they were on board our schooner or one of the other prizes.

In less than half an hour from the time I had taken my station Donald hailed me to say he was about to visit the wounded men, and five minutes later I saw him come out of the deck-house.

"How are they?" I cried.

"Getting along fairly well, I should say.    All are complaining bitterly, and if they drink as much water when you look after them as I have just dealt out, you'll have to pay more than one visit to the scuttle-butt."

He did not venture to join me even for a moment, because we two were minded to perform our duties in such a manner that Mr. Harker would have no reason for faultfinding, and I turned my attention once more to the lights of the vessels in the distance.

From below could be heard a murmuring sound, as the prisoners most likely discussed their situation; but they were apparently so quiet that I gave little heed to the possibility of mischief.

When I believed half an hour or more had passed, I took my turn at visiting the wounded men, and while approaching the deck-house observed that Donald was gazing out over the after rail, and consequently did not see me.

I was on the point of hailing him, when I bethought myself that Mr. Harker might consider us childish if we must speak to each other every time we came or went, and I held my peace.

On entering the deck-house I saw three men lying in hammocks, and the fourth seated on what appeared to be a pile of dunnage near the door.

Two had blood-stained bandages around their heads, the arm of one was in a sling, and the other, he who sat near the door, was rubbing his leg as if it gave him severe pain, although I could see no evidence of a wound in that member.

"Are you minded to let us die of thirst?" this last man asked, in a surly tone, as I stepped inside.  "If there are two boys aboard, it would seem that we might at least be supplied with water."

"There are two aboard," I answered, quietly, for it was not in my heart to be angry with prisoners who were wounded, however harshly they might speak.  "We are acting as lookouts, and if one of us comes here every half hour it would seem as if that was all the time we could spend in such duty, for a signal from our schooner may be made at any moment."

"Where are you stationed?" the man asked.

" Forward."

"But the rest of the crew?"

"In the forecastle. The officers are in their rooms aft."

"Did you crowd all our men into that one hole?"

"There was no other place where they might be safely kept, I suppose, although I know but little of such things, for this is my first cruise."

"Get some water, will you, and plenty of it.  The other boy brought it in sparing quantity, and we have thirsted, this half hour or more."

I believed the man lied; but did not think it manly to tell him so when he was helpless, and, taking up the bucket which he pushed towards me with his uninjured foot I went to the scuttle-butt.

Donald was still gazing astern, and I stood an instant trying to make out what so riveted his attention, but failed to see anything unusual in that direction, after which I drew what seemed to be an ample supply of water.

Just as I returned to the deck-house and was about to step inside, I heard a noise aft, as if some one of our men had fallen, and I looked in that direction until making certain no mishap had occurred.

Then I continued on, still gazing back with never / thought of possible mischief, when suddenly what felt like a man's pea-jacket was thrown over my head, and my arms were pinioned to my side.

The bucket fell to the floor as I tried to free myself and at the same time scream for help.

I doubt if my voice could have been heard outside the deck-house, so closely was the garment pressed about my mouth, and as for freeing myself, I might as well have struggled against bands of iron.

In an instant, and even while I was yet vainly struggling, there came to my mind the knowledge of what all this meant.

The Britisher who had been seated near the door was only slightly wounded, -there was still the strength of half a dozen ordinary men in his arms, -and once I had been made prisoner it would not be a difficult task for him to set free those who were confined in the forecastle.

He could go forward, and should any of our crew see him they would suppose it was I, for no one would pay particular attention to such a matter, believing the wounded men incapable of mischief.

The thought that the brig might be recaptured through my carelessness made me desperate, and I continued my struggles even after one of the other men came out of his hammock to assist in rendering me helpless.

While the fellow who had leaped upon me held his hand over my mouth in such fashion that I was nearly suffocated, one of the others lashed my arms and feet, and then the two set about gagging me.

A wad of oakum wrapped around the end of a belaying pin was thrust into my mouth until it seemed as if my jaws were dislocated, and there it was made fast with a bit of ratline stuff.

During all this time I had not been able to raise my voice, and now as a matter of course I was totally helpless.

The two men, -the second being one of those whose heads were tied up, -bundled me into the hammock, and I question if Donald would have understood that anything was wrong had he come in while I lay there.

Now I could hear all that was said, and, so far as might be possible in the gloom, see the movements of the prisoners, who were supposed to be helpless because of their wounds.

"There is no fear this little trick will be discovered by the Yankees before that second lad comes here," the fellow who had been seated near the door, and who appeared to be the leader in this movement, said, in a tone of triumph.  "I shall go to the forecastle, taking the chances that the Americans will believe me to be this boy whom we have trussed up so neatly, and once there our crew shall be let out, one or two at a time, until we are ready for business."

"There must not be too much delay, for once the other lad goes forward, the whole affair will be discovered," the man who had assisted in my capture suggested, and the other fellow replied:

"You three have nothing to do, save lay for him here. Bob shall take my place near the door, and a smart rap over the head, when the cub first shows himself, will settle matters, if those in the forecastle have not already brought the work to an end.  Keep your eyes open, for now nothing, save a mistake on your part, will prevent us from carrying this thing through in proper shape."

Then the fellow went out, and I noted that there was no limp in his gait, therefore believed he had shammed the wound in the hope of being able to do exactly what had been accomplished.

The man who had aided in making me a prisoner seated himself by the door, with a spare pump-brake in his hands, and my heart was even more heavy than before, for in addition to losing our prize, and becoming prisoners, it seemed certain Donald Fyffe would be killed.

A blow on the head from such a weapon as this Britisher held would most likely kill the strongest man, and I doubted not but that it would be dealt with all the strength of which he was capable, in order that there might be no possibility the poor lad could make an outcry.

And all this was due to me. Had I observed such precautions as would have suggested themselves to almost any one, save such a simple as myself, the attempt could not have succeeded, and, therefore, I might charge all that followed to my own account.

It would have been better had they killed me outright, for then I should be spared the mental anguish from which I now suffered.

How madly I strained every muscle, in the vain hope of rending the bonds, or so far loosening them that I might get one hand free! Although I was nigh to death from suffocation, the pain seemed as nothing, so great was my anxiety to repair the mischief brought about by carelessness.

How long a time passed before we heard anything that might betoken what the Britishers were doing, I know not, for the moments were to me like hours, and the seconds fully five minutes long.

Then I heard a slight noise from the outside, and saw the fellow near the doorway straighten himself up to deal a blow.

There could be no question, to my mind at least, but that Donald was coming to visit the wounded, and I must lie there helpless while these Britishers killed him!