I'm only afraid they'll run away before we can reach them." "No fear of that," said he laughing.

"The Blazer, as I've told you, can travel fast when we want her; and if she's not fast enough, why, that gun there on the sponson forrud can send a speedier messenger in advance of her, to tell the pirates she's coming!" "Will it reach them inside the reef, sir ?" "Reach them inside the reef!" he repeated after me in a quizzing sort of way.

"Of course it will, my lad, and further too.

That gun will carry seven miles at an elevation of less than forty-five degrees!" "Oh, crickey!" I exclaimed; whereat he and the other officers laughed at my astonishment, which my face betrayed, of course, as usual.

The crew, though, who were near were too well trained to laugh, except according to orders.