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 anything 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, took care to secure large profits.

This he had done several times, and as he sold his cargo at Port Royal
for dollars, he had always cash to pay for what the pirate wished to get
rid of. But he had now run into the lion's jaws, for not only were I
and the Portuguese on board to denounce him as a robber, but, what was
still more unfortunate for him, three of the pirate's crew, whom had he
swindled out of their property, were also on board of us, and recognised
him immediately.

As Captain Toplift knew how I had been treated by him, he thought it was
time he should be confronted with me, and to