1g THE WORLD OF ICE.

“ Please, sir, may I remain?” said Buzzby, touching
his hat.

“Obey orders,” answered the captain sternly. The
sailor went below with a sulky fling.

For nearly an hour the two vessels cut through the
water before a steady breeze, during which time the
fast-sailing schooner gradually overhauled the heavy
West Indiaman, until she approached within speaking
distance. Still Captain Ellice paid no attention to
her, but stood with compressed lips beside the man at
the wheel, gazing alternately at the sails of his vessel
and at the windward horizon, where he fancied he saw
indications that led him to hope the breeze would fail
ere long.

As the schooner drew nearer, a man leaped on the
hammock-nettings, and, putting a trumpet to his
mouth, sang out lustily, “Ship ahoy! where are you
from, and what’s your cargo?”

Captain Ellice made no reply, but ordered four of
bis men on deck to point one of the stern-chasers.

Again the voiee came harshly across the waves, as
if in passion, “Heave to, or Tl sink you.” At the
same moment the black flag was run up to the peak,
and a shot passed between the main and fore masts.

“Stand by to point this gun,” said the captain in a
subdued voice.

“ Ay, ay, sir!”

“Fetch a red-hot iron; luff, luff a little—a little
more steady—so.” At the last word there was a puff
and a roar, and an iron messenger flew towards the