We passed them during the gale, and had some hopes that we should not see them again; but, in the light breeze we have been having during the last few days, they have made up lost ground, and I am afraid we shall have to fight them." Exclamations of alarm broke from some of the ladies who heard his words.
"You need not be alarmed, ladies," he went on.

"We carry twelve guns, you know, and I expect that all of them are of heavier metal than theirs.

The Madras is a strongly-built ship, and will stand a good deal more hammering than those light craft will, so that I have no doubt we shall give a good account of ourselves." After breakfast, the hatches were opened and the gun cases belonging to the passengers brought on deck.

Scarce one of them but had a rifle, and many had, in addition, a shotgun.

The day passed without any change in the positions of the vessels, for they still lay becalmed.
"Why don't they get out their boats, and tow their vessels up ?" Dick asked the doctor.
"Because they would be throwing away their chances, if they did so.
They know that we cannot get away from them, and we might smash up their boats as soon as they came within range.