were sharp and lean as was his body, and wore every appearance of a cross-grained temper.

He had been making divers complaints of divers persons, and the captain had hitherto appeared imperturbable. Captain Plumbton was an even-tempered man, who was satisfied with a good dinner. Lieutenant Markitall was an odd-tempered man, who would quarrel with his bread

"Quite impossible, sir," continued the first lieutenant, to carry on the duty without support."

This oracular observation, which, from the relative forms of the two parties, descended as it were from above, was replied to by the captain with a "Very true."

But we must hurry over the misery that Mr. Withering- and butter. ton's kindness and benevolence brought upon him. Not a day passed-scarcely an hour, without his ears being gall-" ed with his sister's insinuations. Judy and Coco were sent back to America; the servants, who had remained so long in his service, gave warning one by one, and, afterwards, were changed as often almost as there was a change in the moon. She ruled the house and her brother despotically; and all poor Mr. Witherington's comfort was gone until the time arrived when Master Edward was to be sent to school. Mr. Witherington then plucked up courage; and, after a few storiny months, drove his sister back to Bath, and once more found himself comfortable.

"Then, sir, I presume you will not object to my putting that man in the report for punishment."

"I'll think about it, Mr. Markitall." This, with Captain Plumbton, was as much as to say, no. "The young gentlemen, sir, I am sorry to say, are very troublesome "

Boys always are," replied the captain.

"Yes, sir; but the duty must be carried on, and I cannot do without them."

"Very true-midshipmen are very useful."

"But I'm sorry to say, sir, that they are not. Now, sir, there's Mr. Templemore; I can do nothing with himhe does nothing but laugh."

66

Edward came home during the holidays, and was a great favourite; but the idea had become current that he was the son of the old gentleman, and the remarks made were so unpleasant and grating to him, that he was not sorry, much as he was attached to the boy, when he declared his intention to choose the profession of a sailor. Captain Maxwell introduced him into the service; and Laugh!—Mr. Markitall, does he laugh at you?" afterwards, when, in consequence of ill health and ex- "Not exactly, sir; but he laughs at every thing. If I haustion, he was himself obliged to leave it for a time, he send him to the mast-head, he goes up laughing; if I call procured for his protegé other ships. We must, therefore, him down, he comes down laughing; if I find fault with allow some years to pass away, during which time Edward him, he laughs the next minute: in fact, sir, he does Templemore pursues his career-Mr. Witherington grows nothing but laugh. I should particularly wish, sir, that older and more particular, and his sister Moggy amuses you would speak to him, and see if any interference on herself with Lady Betty's remarks, and her darling game your part

of whist.

“Would make him cry-eh? better to laugh than cry During all this period, no tidings o"the boats, or of Mrs. in this world. Does he never cry, Mr. Markitall?" Templemore and her infant, had been heard; it was therefore naturally conjectured that they had all perished, and they were remembered but as things that had been.

CHAPTER VI.

THE MIDSHIPMAN.

"Yes, sir, and very unseasonably. The other day, you may recollect, when you punished Wilson the marine, whom I appointed to take care of his chest and hammock, he was crying the whole time; almost tantamount-at least an indirect species of mutiny on his part, as it im plied

I

"That the boy was sorry that his servant was punished; The weather side of the quarter-deck of H. M. frigate never flog a man but I'm sorry myself, Mr. Markitall." Unicorn was occupied by two very great personages : "Well, I do not press the question of his crying-that Captain Plumbton, commanding the ship; who was very I might look over; but his laughing, sir, I must beg that great in width if not in height, taking much more than you will take notice of that. Here he is, sir, coming up his allowance of the deck, if it were hot that he was the the hatchway. Mr. Templemore, the captain wishes to proprietor thereof, and entitled to the lion's share. Cap. speak to you."

tain P. was not more than four feet ten inches in height;| Now, the captain did not wish to speak to him, but, forced but then he was equal to that in girt: there was quite upon him as it was by the first-lieutenant, he could do no enough of him, if he had only been rolled out. He walked less. So Mr. Templemore touched his hat, and stood bewith his coat flying open, his thumbs stuck into the arm. fore the captain, we regret to say, with such a good-huholes of his waistcoat, so as to throw his shoulders back moured, sly, confiding smirk on his countenance, as at and increase his horizontal dimensions. He also held his once established the proof of the accusation, and the enorhead well aft, which threw his chest and stomach well for-mity of the offence. ward. He was the prototype of pomposity and good natare, and he strutted like an actor in a procession.

"So, sir," said Captain Plumbton, stopping in his perambulation, and squaring his shoulders still more, "I find that you laugh at the first-lieutenant."

"I, sir?" replied the boy, the smirk expanding into a broad grin.

The other personage was the first-lieutenant, whom na. ture had pleased to fashion in another mould. He was as tall as the captain was short-as thin as his superior was corpulent. His long, lanky legs were nearly up to the "Yes, you, sir," said the first-lieutenant, now drawing captain's shoulders; and he bowed down over the head of up to his full height; "why, you're laughing now, sir." his superior, as if he were the crane to hoist up, and the "I can't help it, sir-it's not my fault; and I'm sure captain the bale of goods to be hoisted. He carried his it's not yours, sir," added the boy, demurely.

hands behind his back, with two fingers twisted together; "Are you aware, Edward-Mr. Templemore, I mean und his chief difficulty appeared to be to reduce his own-of the impropriety of disrespect to your superior of stride to the parrot march of the captain. His features ficer ?"

VOD XXVIII. FEBRUARY, 1836-24.

trowsers, and untanned yellow leather boots, such as are upon his features: he is dressed much in the same way made at the Western Isles; a broad-striped cotton shirt; as we have described the captain, but the costume hangs a red Cashmere shawl round his waist as a sash; a vest more gracefully upon his slender, yet well-formed limbs. embroidered in gold tissue, with a jacket of a dark velvet, He is seated on a sofa, fixed in the fore part of the cabin. and pendant gold buttors, hanging over his left shoulder, with a book in his hand, which occasionally he refers to, after the fashion of the Mediterranean seamen; a round and then lifts his eyes from, to watch the motions of the Turkish skull-cap, handsomely embroidered; a pair of pis-Krouman, who is busy in the office of the steward, arrangtols, and a long knife in his sash, completed his attire. ing and cleaning the costly articles in the buffet.

"Massa Francisco, dis really fine ting;" said Pompey, holding up a splendidly embossed tankard, which he had been rubbing.

"Yes," replied Francisco, gravely; "it is, indeed, Pompey."

The crew consisted in all of 165 men, of almost every nation; but it was to be remarked, that all those in au thority were either Englishmen or from the northern countries: the others were chiefly Spaniards and Maltese.Still there were Portuguese, Brazilians, negroes, and others, who made up the complement, which, at the time we now speak, was increased by twenty-five additional hands. These were Kroumen, a race of blacks well known up to his mouth, his eyes, full of meaning, fixed upon at present, who inhabit the coast near Cape Palmas, and Francisco.

How Captain Cain came by dis?"
Francisco shook his head; and Pompey put his finger

are often employed by our men-of-war stationed on the At this moment the personage referred to was heard decoast to relieve the English seamen from duties which scending the companion-ladder. Pompey recommenced would be too severe to those who are not inured to the rubbing the silver, and Francisco dropped his eyes upon the climate. They are powerful, athlectic men, good sailors, book.

of a happy, merry disposition, and, unlike other Africans, What was the tie which appeared to bind the captain to will work hard. Fond of the English, they generally this lad was not known; but, as the latter had always acspeak the language sufficiently to be understood, and are companied, and lived together with him, it was generally very glad to receive a baptism when they come on board. supposed that he was the captain's son; and he was as The name first given them they usually adhere to as long often designated by the crew as young Cain, as he was by as they live; and you will now on the coast meet with a his Christian name of Francisco. Still it was observed, that Blucher, a Wellington, a Nelson, &c., who will wring latterly they had frequently been heard in altercation, and swabs, or do any other of the meanest description of work, that the captain was very suspicious of Francisco's movewithout feeling that it is discreditable to sponsorials so ments. grand. "I beg I may not interrupt your conversation," said It is not to be supposed that these men had voluntarily Cain, on entering the cabin; "the information you may come on board of the pirate; they had been employed in obtain from a Krouman must be very important." some British vessels, trading on the coast, and had been Francisco made no reply, but appeared to be reading his taken out of them when the vessels were burnt, and the book. Cain's eyes passed from one to the other, as if to Europeans of the crew murdered. They had received read their thoughts. promise of reward, if they did their duty; but, not expecting it, they waited for the earliest opportunity to make their escape.

a

Pray, what were you saying, Mr. Pompey ?"

"Me say, Massa captain? me only tell young massa dis very fine ting; as where you get him-Massa Francisco no tell."

The captain of the schooner is abaft, with his glass in his hand, occasionally sweeping the offing in expectation "And what might it be to you, you black scoundrel?" of a vessel heaving in sight; the officers and crew are cried the captain, seizing the goblet and striking the man lying down, or lounging listlessly about the decks, pant- with it a blow on the head which flattened the vessel, and at ing with the extreme heat, and impatiently waiting for the same time felled the Krouman, powerful as he was, to the sea-breeze to fan their parched foreheads. With their the deck. The blood streamed, as the man slowly rose, rough beards and exposed chests, and their weather-beaten, stupified and trembling from the violent concussion.fierce countenances, they form a group which is terrible Without saying a word, he staggered out of the cabin, and even in repose. Cain threw himself on one of the lockers in front of the

We must now descend into the cabin of the schooner. standing bed-place, saying, with a bitter smile, "So much The fittings-up of this apartment are simple: on each side for your intimates, Francisco!" is a standing bed-place; against the after bulk-head is a "Rather, so much for your cruelty and injustice towards large buffet, originally intended for glass and china, but an unoffending man," replied Francisco, laying his book now loaded with silver and gold vessels of every size and on the table. "His question was an innocent one-for he description, collected by the pirate from the different ships knew not the particulars connected with the obtaining of which he had plundered; the lamps are also of silver, and that flagon." evidently have been intended to ornament the shrine of "And you, I presume, do not forget them? Well be it so, young man; but I warn you again-as I have warned

some Catholic saint.

In this cabin there are two individuals to whom we you often-nothing but the remembrance of your mother shall now direct the reader's attention. The one is a plea- has prevented me, long before this, from throwing your sant-countenanced, good-humoured Krouman, who had body to the sharks."

been christened "Pompey the Great;" most probably on "What influence my mother's memory may have over account of his large proportions. He wears a pair of duck you I know not; only regret that, in any way, she had trowsers; the rest of his body is naked, and presents a the misfortune to be connected with you."

sleek and glossey skin, covering muscles which an ana- "She had the influence," replied Cain, " which a woman tomist or a sculptor would have viewed with admiration.must have over a man when they have for years swung in The other is a youth of eighteen, or thereabouts, with an the same cot; but that is wearing off fast. I tell you intelligent, handsome countenance, evidently of European so candidly; I will not allow even her memory to check blood. There is, however, an habitually mournful castame, if I find you continue your late course. You have

shown disaffection before the crew-you have disputed my so great; vesssls had been seized and plundered, but life orders-and I have every reason to believe that you are now had been spared. In the course of crime, however, the plotting against me." descent is rapid: and as, from information given by those

"Can I do otherwise than show my abhorrence," replied who had been released, the schooner was more than once Francisco, "when I witness such acts of horror, of cruelty in danger of being captured, latterly no lives had been -cold-blooded cruelty, as lately have been perpetrated ?- spared: and but too often the murders had been attended Why did you bring me here? and why do you now detain with deeds even more atrocious. me? All I ask is, that you will allow me to leave the vessel. You are not my father; you have told me so."

"No, I am not your father; but-you are your mother's

son."

Francisco had witnessed scenes of horror until his young blood curdled: he had expostulated to save, but in vain. Disgusted with the captain and the crew, and their deeds of cruelty, he had latterly expressed his opinions fearlessly, and defied the captain; for, in the heat of an altercation, -"Cain had acknowledged that Francisco was not his son.

"That gives you no right to have power over me, even if you had been married to my mother; which "I was not."

"I thank God; for marriage with you would have been even greater disgrace."

Had any of the crew or officers expressed but a tithe of what had fallen from the bold lips of Francisco, they would have long before paid the forfeit of their temerity; but "What!" cried Cain, starting up, seizing the young man there was a feeling towards Francisco which could not be by the neck, and lifting him off his seat as if he had been stifled in the breast of Cain-it was the feeling of associaa puppet; "but no-I cannot forget your mother." Cain released Francisco, and resumed his seat on the locker. "As you plesae," said Francisco, as soon as he had recovered himself; "it matters little whether I am brained by your own hand, or launched overboard as a meal for the sharks; it will be but one more murder.”

tion and habit. The boy had been his companion for years; and, from assuetude, had become, as it were, a part of himself. There is a principle in our natures which, even when that nature is most debased, will never leave us that of requiring something to love-something to protect and watch over it is shown towards a dog, or any "Mad fool! why do you tempt me thus ?" replied Cain, other animal, if it cannot be lavished upon one of our own again starting up and hastily quitting the cabin.

The altercation which we have just described was not unheard on deck, as the doors of the cabin were open, and the sky-light removed to admit the air. The face of Cain was flushed as he ascended the ladder. He perceived his chif mate standing by the hatchway, and many of the men, who had been slumbering abaft, with their heads raised on their elbows, as if they had been listening to the conversation below.

species. Such was the feeling which so forcibly held Cain towards Francisco; such was the feeling which had hitherto saved his life.

After having paced up and down for some time, the youth took his seat on the locker which the captain had quitted: his eye soon caught the head of Pompey, who looked into the cabin and beckoned with his finger.

Francisco rose, and, taking up a flagon from the buffet which contained some spirits, walked to the door, and,

“It will never do, sir,” said Hawkhurst, the mate, shak- without saying a word, handed it to the Krouman. ing his head.

"Massa Francisco," whispered Pompey, "Pompey say

No, replied the captain; "not if he were my own son. -all Krouman say-suppose they run away, you go too. But what is to be done?-he knows no fear."

Hawkhurst pointed to the entering-port.

"When I ask your advice, you may give it," said the captain, turning gloomily away.

Pompey say-all Krouman say-suppose they try kill you! Nebber kill you while one Krouman alive."

The negro then gently pushed Francisco back with his hand, as if not wishing to hear his answer, and hastened forward on the birth deck.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE ATTACK.

In the meantime Francisco paced the cabin in deep thought. Young as he was, he was indifferent to death; for he had no tie to render life precious. He remembered his mother, but not her demise; that had been concealed from him. At the age of seven he had sailed with Cain in a daver, and had ever since continued with him. Until In the mean time the sea-breeze had risen in the offing lately, he had been led to suppose that the captain was his and was sweeping along the surface to where the schooner father. During the years that he had been in the slave- was at anchor. The captain ordered a man at the crosstrade, Cain had devoted much time to his education: it so trees, directing him to keep a good look out, while he happened that the only book which could be found on walked the deck in company with his first mate. board of the vessel, when Cain first commenced teaching, "She may not have sailed until a day or two later," was a Bible belonging to Francisco's mother. Out of this said the captain, continuing the conversation; "I have book he learned to read; and, as his education advanced, made allowance for that, and depend upon it, as she makes other books were procured. It may appear strange that the eastern passage we must soon fall in with her; if she the very traffic in which his reputed father was engaged does not heave in sight this evening, by daylight I shall did not corrupt the boy's mind; but accustomed to it from stretch out in the offing: I know the Portuguese well. has infancy, he had considered these negroes as another The sea-breeze has caught our craft; let them run up the species, an idea fully warranted by the cruelty of the Eu- inner jib, and see that she does not foul her anchor." ropeans towards them. It was now late in the afternoon, and dinner had been sent There are some dispositions so naturally kind and in- into the cabin; the captain descended and took his seat at genuous that even example and evil contact cannot debase the table with Francisco, who ate in silence. Once or twice them: such was the disposition of Francisco. As he the captain whose wrath had subsided, and whose kindly gained in years and knowledge, he thought more and feelings towards Francisco, checked for a time, had returnBore for himself, and had already become disgusted with ed with greater force, tried, but in vain, to rally him into Le cruelties practised upon the unfortunate negroes, when conversation, when the "sail, ho!" was shouted from the Be slave-vessel was seized upon by Cain and converted into mast-head. a párate. At first, the enormities committed had not been

"There she is, by G-d!" cried the captain, jumping

from, and then, as if checking himself, immediately resum-Jschooner, finding she had met with an unexpected resisting his seat. ance, had sheered off, gave a loud cheer.

Francisco put his hand to his forehead, covering his

eyes as his elbow leant on the table.

"A large ship, sir; we can see down the second reef

"The last you will ever give, my fine fellows!" observed Cain, with a sneer.

In a few minutes the schooner had run a mile astern of

66

of the topsails," said Hawkhurst, looking down the sky-light. the ship. The captain hastily swallowed some wine from a flagon, Now, then, Hawkhurst, let her come to and about; cast a look of scorn and anger upon Francisco, and rush-man the long gun, and see that every shot is pitched into ed on deck. her, while the rest of them get up a new fore top-mast, and

"Be smart, lads!" cried the captain, after a few seconds' knot and splice the rigging." survey of the vessel through his glass; "that's her: furl The schooner's head was again turned towards the ship; the awnings, and run the anchor up to the bows: there's her position was right astern, about a mile distant, or more silver in that vessel, my lads, than your chests will rather more; the long 32-pounder gun a-midships was now hold; and the good saints of the churches at Goa will have regularly served, and every shot passing through the cabinto wait a little longer for their gold candlesticks." windows, or some other part of the ship's stern, raking The crew were immediately on the alert; the awnings her fore and aft. In vain did the ship alter her course, were furled, and all the men, stretching aft the spring and present her broad-side to the schooner; the latter was cable, walked the anchor up to the bows. In two minutes immediately checked in her speed, so as to keep the premore the Avenger was standing out on the starboard tack, scribed distance at which the carronades of the ship were shaping her course so as to cut off the ill-fated vessel. useless, and the execution from the long gun decisive. The breeze freshened, and the schooner darted the smooth The ship was at the mercy of the pirate; and, as may be water with the impetuosity of a dolphin after its prey. In expected, no mercy was shown. For three hours did this an hour the hull of the ship was plainly to be distinguish-murderous attack continue, when the gun, which, as before ed; but the sun was near to the horizon, and before they observed, was of brass, became so heated that the pirate could ascertain what her force might be, daylight had dis- captain desired his men to discontinue. Whether the ship appeared. Whether the schooner had been perceived or had surrendered or not it was impossible to say, as it was not it was impossible to say; at all events, the course of too dark to distinguish: while the long gun was served, the ship had not been altered, and if she had seen the the foretop-mast and main-gaff had been shifted, and all schooner, she evidently treated her with contempt. On the standing and running-rigging made good; the schooner board the Avenger they were not idle; the long gun in the keeping her distance, and following in the wake of the centre had been cleared from the imcumbrances which ship until daylight.

surrounded it, the other guns had been cast loose, shot We must now repair on board of the ship: she was an handed up, and everything propared for action, with all Indiaman; one of the very few that occasionally are sent the energy and discipline of a man of war. The chase out by the Portuguses government to a country which had not been lost sight of, and the eyes of the pirate-cap-once owned their undivided sway, but in which, at pretain were fixed upon her through a night-glass. In about sent, they hold but a few miles of territory. She was an hour or more the schooner was within a mile of the bound to Goa, and had on board a small detachment of ship, and now altered her course so as to range up within troops, a new governor and his two sons, a bishop and his a cable's length of her to leeward. Cain stood upon the niece, with her attendant. The sailing of a vessel with gunwale and hailed. The answer was in Portuguese. such a freight was a circumstance of rare occurrence; "Heave to, or I'll sink you!" replied he in the same and was, of course, generally bruited about long before language. her departure. Cain had, for some months, received all A general discharge from a broadside of carronades, the necessary intelligence relative to her cargo and destiand a heavy volley of muskets from the Portuguese, was nation; but, as usual with the Portuguese of the present the decided answer; the broadside too much elevated to day, delay upon delay had followed, and it was not until hit the low hull of the schooner, was still not without ef- about three weeks previous that he had been assured of fect the foretop-mast fell, the jaws of the main-gaff were her immediate departure. He then ran down the coast to severed, and a large proportion of the standing, as well as the bay we have mentioned that he might intercept her; the running-rigging, came rattling down on her decks. and, as the event has proved, showed his usual judgment The volley of musketry was more fatal: thirteen of the and decision. The fire of the schooner had been most pirates were wounded, sonie of them severely. destructive: many of the Indiaman's crew, as well as the "Well done! John Portuguese," cried Hawkhurst; "by troops, had been mowed down one after another; until, the holy poker! I never gave you credit for so much at last, finding that all their efforts to defend themselves pluck." were useless, most of those who were still unhurt had consulted their safety, and hastened down to the lowest recesses of the hold to avoid the raking and destructive shot. "Blood for blood! if I drink it," observed the second At the time that the schooner had discontinued her fire to mate, as he looked at the crimson rivulet trickling down allow the gun to cool, there was no one on deck but the the fingers of his left hand from a wound in his arm-Portuguese captain and one old weather-beaten seaman "just tie my handkerchief round this, Bill." who stood at the helm. Below, in the orlop deck, the re

"Which they shall pay dearly for," was the cool reply of Cain, as he still remained in his exposed situation.

In the interim, Cain had desired his crew to elevate mainder of the crew and the passengers were huddled totheir guns, and the broadside was returned. gether in a small space: some were attending to the "That will do, my lads: starb ard; ease off the boom-wounded, who were numerous; others were invoking the sheet; let her go right round, Hawkhurst—we cannot af- saints to their assistance; the bishop, a tall dignified perford to lose our men."

The schooner wore round, and run astern of her oppo

nent.

The Portuguese on board the ship, imagining that the

son, apparently nearly sixty years of age, was kneeling in the centre of the group, which was dimly lighted by two or three lanterns, at one time in fervent prayer, at another, interrupted, that he might givea bsolution to those wound.

191

"A pirate!" ejaculated several, beating their breasts and calling upon their saints.

66

ed men whose spirits were departing, and who were Defence we can make none; and I fear that we are at the brought down and laid before him by their comrades. On mercy of a pirate." one side of him knelt his orphan niece, a young girl of about seventeen years of age, watching his countenance "Silence, my good people, silence," quietly observed the as he prayed, or bending down with a look of pity and tearful eyes on her expiring countrymen, whose last mo- bishop; " as to what it may be best to do," continued he, ments were gladdened by his holy offices. On the other turning to the captain, "I cannot advise; I am a man of Don side of the bishop stood the governor, Don Philip de Ri- (peace, and unfit to hold a place in a council of war. biera, and his two sons, youths in their prime, and holding Ribiera, I must refer the point to you and your sons. Tremcommissions in the king's service. There was melan- ble not, my dear Teresa; are we not under the protection choly on the brow of Don Ribiera; he was prepared for, of the Almighty ?" and he anticipated the worst. The oldest son had his eyes fixed upon the sweet countenance of Terresa de Silvathat very evening, as they walked together on the deck, had they exchanged their vows-that very eve ing they had luxuriated in the present, and had dwelt with delight. ful anticipation on the future. But we must leave them and return on deck.

The captain of the Portuguese ship had walked aft, and now went up to Antonia, the old seaman, who was stand-a ing at the wheel.

"I still see her with the glass, Antonio, and yet she has not fired for nearly two hours; do you think any accident has happened to her long gun? if so, we may have some

chance."

"Holy Virgin, pity us!" exclaimed Teresa.

66

'Come, my sons," said Don Ribiera, "we will go on deck and consult: let not any of the men follow us; it is useless risking lives which may yet be valuable.”

Don Ribiera and his sons followed the captain to the quarter-deck, and with him and Antonio they held a consultation.

"We have but one chance," observed the old man, after time; “let us haul down our colours as if in submission; they will then range up alongside, and either board us from the shooner or from their boats; at all events, we shall find out what she is, and, if a pirate, we must sell our lives as dearly as we can. If, when we haul down the colours, she ranges up alongside, as I expect she will, let all the men be prepared for a desperate struggle." "You are right, Antonio," replied the governor; "go

Antonio shook his head. "We have but little chance, I am afraid, my captain; I knew by the ring of the gun, when she first fired it, that it was brass; indeed, no schoon-aft, captain, and haul down the colours;-let us see what Down, my boys! and prepare the men to

er could carry a long iron gun of that calibre. Depend upon it, she only waits for the mettle to cool and daylight to return: a long gun or two might have saved us, but now, as she has the advantage of us in heels, we are at her mercy."

"What can she be-a French privateer?"
"I trust it may be so; and I have promised a silver
candlestick to St. Antonio that it may prove no worse: we
then may have some chance of seeing our homes again;
but I fear not."

"What, then, do you imagine her to be, Antonio?"
"The pirate which we have heard so much of."
Jesu protect us! we must then sell our lives as dearly

as we can."

"So I intend to do, my captain," replied Antonio, shift ing the helm a spoke.

The day broke, and showed the schooner continuing her pursuit at the same distance astern, without any apparent

she does now.

do their duty."

As Antonio had predicted, so soon as the colours were hauled down, the shooner ceased firing and made sail. She ranged up on the quarter of the ship, and up to her main peak soared the terrific black flag; her broadside was poured into the Indiaman, and before the smoke had cleared away there was a concussion from the meeting sides, and the bearded pirates poured upon her decks.

The crew of the Portuguese, with the detachment of troops, still formed a considerable body of men. The sight of the black flag had struck ice into every heart, but the feeling was resolved into one of desperation.

"Knives, men! knives!" roared Antonio, rushing on to the attack, followed by the most brave.

"Blood for blood!" cried the second mate, aiming a blow at the old man.

"You have it," replied Antonio, as his knife entered the pirate's heart, while, at the same moment, he fell and was himself a corpse.

movement on board. It was not until the sun was some degrees above the horizon that the smoke was again seen The struggle was deadly, but the numbers and ferocity to envelope her bows, and the shot crashed through the of the pirates prevailed. Cain rushed forward followed timbers of the Portuguese ship. The reason for this de- by Hawkhurst, bearing down all who opposed them. lay was, that the pirate waited till the sun was up to as- With one blow from the pirate-captain the head of Don certain if there were any other vessels to be seen, previous Ribiera was severed to the shoulder; a second struck down to his pouncing on his quarry. The Portuguese captain the eldest son, while the sword of Hawkhurst passed went aft and hoisted his ensign, but no flag was shown by through the body of the other. The Portuguese captain the schooner. Again whistled the ball, and again did it tear up the decks of the unfortunate ship: many of those who had reascended to ascertain what was going on, now hastily sought their former retreat.

Mind the helm, Antonio," said the Portuguese captain; "I must go down and consult with the governor." "Never fear, my captain; as long as these limbs hold together I will do my duty," replied the old man, exhausted as he was by long watching and fatigue.

The captain descended to the orlop-deck, where he found the major part of the crew and passengers assembled.

had already fallen, and the men no longer stood their ground. A general massacre ensued, and the bodies were thrown overboard as fast as the men were slaugh tered. In less than five minutes there was not a living Portuguese on the bloody decks of the ill-fated ship.

CHAPTER IX.

THE CAPTURE.

"Pass the word for not a man to go below, Hawkhurst!"

"I

My lords," said he, addressing the governor and bish- said the pirate-captain. "the schooner has not shown any colours, although our *wn are hoisted. Iain come down to know your pleasure. ways.

have, sir; and sentries are stationed at the hatchShall we haul the schooner off?”