the vessel. The boat's crew were all negroes.

One of them said, "Jump in, you white boy; next jump he take be into the
shark's mouth," continued the man, grinning, as he addressed himself to
the others in the boat.

I got into the boat, and they rowed on board the schooner. I did then
think that I was done for; for what mercy could I expect, being a king's
officer, from pirates, which the words of the negro convinced me they
were?

As soon as I was alongside of the schooner, they ordered me to go up the
side, which I did, with my spy-glass in my hand. I leaped from the
gunwale down on the deck, and found myself on board of an armed vessel,
with a crew wholly composed of blacks.

I was rudely seized by two of them, who led me aft to where a negro
stood apart from the rest. A more fierce, severe, determined-looking
countenance, I never beheld. He was gigantic in stature and limbed like
the Farnesian Hercules.

"Well, boy, who are you?" said he, "and how came you on board of that
vessel?"

I told him in very few words.

"Then you belong to that frigate that chased us the day before
yesterday?"

"Yes," replied I.

"What is her name?"

"The Calliope."

"She sails well," said he.

"Yes," replied I; "she is the fastest sailer on this station."

"That's all the information I want of you, boy: now you may go."

"Go where?" replied I.

"Go where?--go overboard, to be sure," replied he, with a grin.

My heart died within me; but I mustered courage enough to say, "Much
obliged to you, sir; but I'd rather stay where I am, if it's all the
same to you."

The other negroes laughed at this reply, and I felt a little confidence;
at all events, their good-humour gave me courage, and I felt that being
bold was my only chance.

The negro captain looked at me for a time, as if considering, and at
last said to the men, "Overboard with him."

"Good-bye, sir, you're very kind," said I; "but this is a capital
spy-glass, and I leave it to you as a legacy." And I went up to him and
offered him my spy-glass. Merciful Heaven! bow my heart beat against my
ribs when I did this!

The negro captain took the glass, and looked through it.

"It is a good glass," said he, as he removed it from his eyes. It was
poor Green's spy-glass, which he had given me for showing him the
mason's signs.

"Well, white boy, I accept your present; and now, good bye."

"Good-bye, sir. Do me one kindness in return," said I, very grav