50 MARTIN RATTLER.

In a few minutes the ship’s course was completely
altered; a cloud of canvas spread out from the yards,
and the Firefly bounded on her course like a fresh
race-horse, But it soon became evident that the heavy
barque was no match for the schooner, which crowded
gail and bore down at a rate that bade fair to over-
haul them in a few hours. The chase continued till
evening, when suddenly the look-out at the mast-
head shouted, “ Land, ho!”

“ Where away ?” cried the captain.

« Right ahead,” sang out the man.

“T]l run her ashore sooner than be taken,” mut-
tered the captain, with an angry scowl at the schooner,
which was now almost within range on the weather
quarter, with the dreaded black flag flying at her
peak. In a few minutes breakers were descried
ahead.

“D’ye see anything like a passage ?” shouted the
captain.

« Yes, sir; two points on the weather bow.”

At this moment a white cloud burst from the
schooner’s bow, and a shot, evidently from a heavy
gun, came ricochetting over the sea. It was well
aimed, for it cut right through the barque’s main-
mast, just below the yard, and brought the main-top-

mast, with all the yards, sails, and gearing above it,