lege was
not refused me. The monster in human shape (for such was then his
appearance) conducted me by the hand himself to the companionway,
and pointing to the cabin said to me, "Descend and remain there and
you will be perfectly safe, for although Pirates, we are not
barbarians to destroy the lives of innocent females!" Saying this he
closed the companion doors and left me alone, to reflect on my
helpless and deplorable situation. It is indeed impossible for me,
brother, to paint to your imagination what were my feelings at this
moment; being the only female on board, my terror it cannot be
expected was much less than that of the poor devoted mariners! I
resigned my life to the Being who had lent it, and did not fail to
improve the opportunity (which I thought it not improbable might be
my last), to call on Him for that protection, which my situation so
much at this moment required--and never shall I be persuaded but
that my prayers were heard.

While I remained in this situation, by the sound of the clashing of
swords, attended by shrieks and dismal groans, I could easily
imagine what was going on on deck, and anticipated nothing better
than the total destruction by the Pirates of the lives of all on
board. After I had remained about one hour and a half alone in the
cabin, and all had become silent on deck, the cabin doors were
suddenly thrown open, and eight or ten of the Piratical crew
entered, preceded by him whom I had suspected to be their leader,
and from whom I had received assurances that I should not be
injured. By him I was again addressed and requested to banish all
fears of personal injury--that they sought only for the money which
they suspected to be secreted somewhere on board the vessel, and
which they were determined to have, although unable to extort a
disclosure of the place of its concealment by threats and violence
from the crew. The Pirates now commenced a thorough search
throughout the cabin, the trunks and chests belonging to the captain
and mate were broken open, and rifled of their most valuable
contents--nor did my baggage and stores meet with any better fate,
indeed this was a loss which at this moment caused me but little
uneasiness. I felt that my life was in too much jeopardy to lament
in any degree the loss of my worldly goods, surrounded as I