el she expected us to be, she suddenly
altered her course before the wind, setting all the sail that she
possibly could. We immediately crowded canvas in chase, and came up
with her fast. As we ran, the mate and I looked at her through the
glass, and I made her out to be the Transcendant, the captain of which
had treated us so cruelly when we were in the boat, and who had robbed
us of our money and clothes. I called the Portuguese and desired them
to look at the vessel through the glass, and give me their opinion.
They directly said that it was the vessel I supposed.

"Let us only catch the rascal," said I, "and we will pay him in his
own coin;" and I immediately gave directions for the better trimming
of the sails, so anxious was I to come up with him.

The men of the schooner were much pleased at the anxiety I displayed
to come up with the chase, and by the alacrity with which they obeyed
me, I saw how anxious they were that I should be their captain. In two
hours we were within gun-shot, and sent one of our bow-chasers after
him. Perceiving that it was useless to run, the fellow hove to, and as
we came alongside, he was all ready with his boat to come on board. He
did so, and at first I kept out of sight to hear what he would say. He
was followed up the side by his amiable son. Captain Toplift received
him on deck, and he looked around him, saying, "I believe I am right.
I was afraid I had made more mistakes than one. I believe you are in
the free trade?"

"Yes," replied Toplift, "we are."

"Yes, I thought so, captain, but I expected to meet another schooner
which is very like to yours, and is also in the trade. I made my
signal to her, as, when she has any thing to get rid of, why I take it
off her hands. Perhaps you may have something of the kind which is not
exactly safe to show,--church-plate and the like. I pay ready
money--that's my plan."

As it afterwards appeared, Madam, this scoundrel had been in the free
trade, or pirating, himself for many years, but he had taken an
opportunity of walking off with a large sum of money belonging to the
pirate crew, and with this money he had purchased his property in
Virginia and the brig which he now commanded. Although he did not
follow up the free trade any more, he had made arrangements with a
pirate captain whom he met at Port Royal to meet them at the back of
the island and receive such articles as the pirate might want to turn
into cash, by which he, of course