arlike spirit, of what use would it be in
a despised Israelite to display such?"

"There is truth in that," returned the padrone in a more respectful
tone; "nevertheless, if fighting becomes needful, I trust that one
furnished with such thews and sinews will not fail to lend effective
aid."

"That he will not, I dare say; and here is a cutlass for him, wherewith
to carve a name and fame," said Mariano, coming aft at the moment and
presenting the weapon to Bacri, who took it with a half-humorous smile,
and laid it on the seat beside him.

"Hast got the big gun ready, boy?" demanded Francisco.

"Ay--loaded her almost to the muzzle. I ordered her to be
double-shotted, and that big black rascal Manqua slily crammed in a
handful of nails without leave. I only hope she won't burst."

"Burst!" exclaimed the padrone, with a laugh; "if you were to load her
even beyond the muzzle she wouldn't burst. I remember once loading her
with a full dose of canister, and clapped two round shot on the top of
that, after which the same negro you have mentioned, (for he has a
tendency in that way), shoved in a handspike without orders, and let the
whole concern fly at a pirate boat, which it blew clean out of the
water: she well-nigh burst the drums of our ears on that occasion, but
showed no sign whatever of bursting herself."

"Nevertheless," said Bacri earnestly, "I advise you to trust entirely to
your sails."

"We haven't another stitch of canvas to set," said Francisco in reply;
"and if we had, the old schooner couldn't stand it, for, as you may see,
the strain is already as much as she can bear."

This was indeed the case, for the vessel was by that time flying before
a stiff breeze, with all the sail set that she could carry, while the
water dashed in clouds from her bows, and rushed over her lee bulwarks.

But the sailing powers of the pirate-vessel were superior to those of
the trading schooner. In a short time she was close alongside, and
fired a shot across her bows to cause her to heave-to. This, however,
the determined skipper resolved not to do. In reply he sent on board
the pirates the varied contents of the big gun, which cut the halyards
of their smaller sail, and brought it down on the deck. This result was
celebrated by a hearty cheer from the schooner's crew. The pirates, in
return, discharged a broadside which cut away the foremast of the
schooner, thus rendering escape impossible.

"Now, men," cried Fr