84. THE BOY CAPTAIN.

check the men in this particular craft, and render them
incapable of any further mischief ; but while this was being
done two other boats had made fast alongside, and Ben
turned to meet the new danger just as the pirates were
appearing in several places at the same moment.

Twice had Miss Dunham fired, once with effect, and
Ben was attacking a sampan-load of the enemy with a
capstan-bar, not having had time to reload his weapon,
when old Eliphalet emerged from the galley with a dish-
pan full of glowing coals.

The steward looked as thoroughly frightened as a man
well can; but, despite his terror, managed to do a marvel-
lous amount of execution in a short time.

He emptied half a bushel of glowing anthracite directly
into one of the boats, causing the occupants to leap over-
board with cries of pain.

“Good for you, old man!” Ben shouted, striking down
a Chinaman who had succeeded in gaining a hold on the
forerigging. “Try that game once more, and you’ll be
doing your full share of the work.”

«Bress de Lawd! Bress de Lawd! I’se sendin’ ’em
up de golden stairs,’ Eliphalet cried in a singsong tone;
but it is extremely doubtful if he knew what he was say-
ing, for, despite the fact that he assisted materially in the
defence, he was yet so terrified as to be almost frantic.

The range in the galley had been emptied of its con-
tents by this first discharge, and the old darkey seized
anything of a heavy nature which came within reach.

As the sampans advanced he showered iron belaying-