'Of course not,' the old man replied. 'They'll lie off on their paddles till midnight. They can always keep us in sight, and yet remain invisible. Anyhow, we are well-armed, Sennit, and should be able to hold our own.'
All the firearms were loaded with ball cartridges and served out; the old navy cutlasses and the dozen long spears were laid ready for service on the main hatch, while every light, save one small one in the compass binnacle, was put out. Lengths of hose were attached to the head pump, so that in case of assault the foe should be thoroughly drenched, and thus, perhaps, escape worse treatment.
'I think, sir,' Mr. Sennit observed, 'that we might also take the precaution of having the outer chain-plates well greased. Although the barque is high out of the water, those rascals are exceedingly active, and once they get a grip don't soon let go.'
'A capital idea,' the old man replied. 'There could be no harm in trying the effect, and it may prove advantageous.'
So the men set to work in the dark, smearing the outer iron-work, to prevent the pirates from boarding. All the while the vessel was becoming more and more hopelessly becalmed, and the vigilance was, if possible, redoubled.
The glasses of both captain and officers were in constant use. At every point of observation sentries were set, to announce the first approach of the enemy, and no one thought of going below, much less indulging in a smoke. The hours dragged heavily away, but there was no sign of attack.
'I expect a silent rush about midnight, Sennit,' the old man said. 'They know we are alone, and probably think that a sudden swoop will catch us napping.'
'And discover the mistake when too late,' the mate added.
Hour after hour the men, musket on shoulder, paced the deck, a keen lookout to port and starboard being maintained; but nothing of the canoes or their occupants could be perceived.
At last dawn began to show eastward. The adjacent island loomed weirdly above the thick morning mist, lying low on the water. As the light strengthened into good promise of another cloudless day, the lookout on the forecastle-head suddenly reported the two canoes within musket range, slightly off the port bow.