"Very well," replied Hardy; "ten ships have struck, but five of the van have tacked, and show an intention to bear down upon the 'Victory.' I have called two or three of our fresh ships round, and have no doubt of giving them a drubbing."

"I deserve a good drubbing for leaving you alone here!"

" "Then shall he not go without a ducking and eke a drubbing himself!" cried Will Stutely.

Then, again, it seemed probable we had a better chance of making our way around this circle than when we first traversed it, because just at this time Thayendanega's villains had received such a drubbing at the hands of the patriots as would most likely prevent them from having any keen desire to come upon more white men.

Well, a minute is but a minute, and if it saves a fellow-creature a drubbing, it shall not be set down as ill spent.