shelter of the jungle.

The conflict, which was very brief, was also a very sanguinary, and five
of the slaver's people had been either mortally wounded or killed
outright; but from the habit of constantly wearing their arms, even to
pistols, when on the coast, they had been found in a very good situation
at even the shortest notice for defending themselves. Captain Bramble
now saw evident tokens of a purpose to unmoor the vessel, and let her
drift out into the river, which would at once place her beyond his
reach, as he had no boats within a league of the spot; and therefore he
resolved upon a second onslaught, and this time divided his men into
three parts--one to board at the bows, one at the stern, and himself
leading a dozen picked men at the waist.

This division of his forces was the best manouvre he could possibly
make, and succeeded admirably, since his own people outnumbered the
slavers, and by dividing them he strengthened his own power and weakened
theirs. Once more upon their deck, the hand-to-hand battle was short,
bloody and decisive, until towards its close, Captain Bramble found
himself driven into the forecastle with a number of his followers, and
at the same moment saw the mate of the "Sea Witch," with those of his
people that were left alive hastening to embark in a quarterboat, and
pull away from the vessel's side with great speed.

A sort of instinct explained to him the meaning of this, and hurrying
his people on shore with the wounded, they sought the shelter of the
jungle once more. Scarcely had they gained the shade of the thick
undergrowth, when a report like that of a score of cannons rang upon the
night air, and high in the air soared a body of flame and wreck in
terrific confusion. The slavers had placed a slow match in connection