"How many do they number?"

"I know not."

"It is not important," continued the Englishman, turning to his
followers, and in a low voice bidding them look to their weapons, for
the game was near at hand.

A few more steps brought the party to the skirts of the thicket, where
it bordered on a small clearing, opening upon the river, and looking
across which--while they were themselves screened by the jungle--they
discovered the dark hull of the "Sea Witch," with her lower masts and
their standing rigging. The vessel was moored close to the shore, with
which a portable gangway connected it. Shallow as the water was, yet so
light was her draft that she evidently floated upon its sluggish
current. Voices were heard issuing from the fore hatch, and two or three
petty officers were seated about the entrance to the cabin, smoking
cigars and pipes, all unconscious of any danger.

"There is your prey! Spring upon it, and be quick, for they will fight
like mad, and he will lay a dozen of you by the heels before you take
the 'Sea Witch!'" said Maud.

Captain Bramble rushed forward to the attack, followed by his men, and
was soon on the deck of the vessel; but though he took Mr. Faulkner and
his crew by surprise, he did not find them entirely unprepared, and
after dropping eight of his people upon the slaver's deck, and being
himself, severely wounded in the arm, Captain Bramble thought it best to
beat a retreat, at least for a few moments, and so sought again the