We should be in a fix, then; and four Spaniards at once is more than we bargained for." They were now within two miles of the point towards which they were steering, and towards which the eyes of the two officers on the poop were directed.

Five minutes later an exclamation broke from them, simultaneously, as the sails of a lofty ship made their appearance over the extremity of the point, and a minute later a great hull came into sight.
"Helm to larboard," Captain Reuben ordered sharply.

"We must run down the island.

We can never weather that fellow that has just appeared.
"Ah! There are two others coming out.

We are in a hornets' nest." The sails were squared off, and the Swan was soon running before the wind; almost parallel with the coast, but edging in a little, to keep her farther from the vessels that had first chased them.
These had also changed their course, and their position to leeward now gave them an advantage.
Ere long the Swan was almost abreast her late pursuers, who were about a mile and a quarter to seaward; while the other three Spanish ships, with all sails set, were a mile and a half astern, but a good deal nearer in shore.
"The sun will be down in another five minutes," Captain Reuben said, "and in half an hour it will be dark.