ongside of her. She
proved to be bound to the island of Curacao, being the property of an
old Dutch gentleman, who was on board with his daughter, a little girl
about seven years old. The crew consisted chiefly of negroes, slaves to
the owner; the master of the vessel and the mate being, with the
exception of the old gentleman and the little girl, the only white
people on board.

As usual, the crew were brought on board by the pirates, who reported to
the captain that the vessel was in ballast, and of no value. As the
crew of the Stella were already more than requisite, Vincent did not
require the negroes; he told them that they might go on board the
schooner again, and take her into any port they pleased; with the white
people, however it was another affair.

I had remained below, not wishing to witness a scene of butchery; but I
was induced to look up the ladder, in consequence of Jose telling me
that there was a little white girl come on board. At the time that I
did so, Vincent had just done speaking with the negroes belonging to the
captured vessel; they had fallen back, and there was then standing
before Vincent, the master and mate of the vessel, the old Dutch
gentleman, and the little girl.

A more interesting child I never had seen, and my heart bled at the idea
of her being sacrificed. I could not help hoping that Vincent would
have a similar feeling, but I was mistaken. The master and mate were
pointed at, and immediately seized by negroes and tossed over into the
sea. The old gentleman bowed his head over the beautiful child, and she
knelt to him, as if for his blessing before she died. At that very
moment Vincent gave the sign--I could remain quiet to longer--I sprang
on the deck.

"Stop!" cried I to the men who were about to seize the old
gentleman--"stop!" The negroes did fall back at my voice.

"What is this?" cried Vincent.

"Captain Vincent," cried I, "do you call yourself a man, to war with
children and old grey-headed men? You must not, shall not, touch these
two. You have wreaked your vengeance upon the white men; be content--
let these go."

"Cato," replied Vincent, fiercely, "it is well that it is you that have
dared to snatch the prey from the fangs of the wild beast. Had it been
another, this pistol should have sent a ball whizzing through his brain;
as it is, go down below immediately."

"I do not fear your pistol, Captain Vincent, nor will I go below; that
very pistol, i