The weather had continued fine, and they had heard nothing, from ships they had fallen in with, of any Moslem pirates having been seen.

A few hours, however, after sighting the coast of Africa, a dark object was seen ahead.
"It is a ship of some sort," Ralph said; "but her masts have gone.

It may be that she is a merchantman that has been captured and sacked by the Moorish pirates." Orders were given to the rowers to quicken their pace, and in little over an hour they were alongside the hull.

As soon as the vessels were close enough for those on the poop of the galley to look down on to the deck of the other craft, it was seen that Ralph's suppositions were correct.

Two bodies lay stretched upon it.