As I rose I heard a
noise and talking on deck, and one of the mates came down in the cabin.

"How does she bear?" cried Vincent, starting up from his couch, as if he
instinctively knew what was to be told.

"Two points on the weather bow, captain," replied the negro. "I think
she has her foresheet to windward."

"What's the time?"

"One bell in the morning watch; it will be daylight in an hour."

"Very good. How far is she off?"

"About four miles."

"Pipe to quarters; I will be up directly."

Vincent took down his sword and buckled on his belt; then his pistols,
which after having examined the primings, he fixed in his girdle. I
still remained as if asleep, and as he was going out of the cabin, he
turned to me. "He sleeps, poor boy; well, why should I wake him?--the
guns will rouse him up soon enough." So saying, he went on deck.

I considered what I should do. To be on deck was hardly safe for me as
a white person; and, indeed, what business had I there? Why should I
expose myself to the shot of my countrymen, or run the risk of losing my
life from the rage of the negroes? I therefore resolved on remaining
where I was--at all events, for the present.

The negroes now came into the cabin, for the after-magazine was under
the forepart of it. The hatch was taken up, the screens let down, and
all was dark. I had nothing to do but to catch now and then the
commands given by the negro captain, and draw my inference as to what
was taking place.

Although for the first half-hour I gained little information, after that
time had elapsed I knew what was going on. I heard a voice hailing us
from another vessel, and the reply of the Stella was a broadside. There
could be no mistake in that. The Stella was then put about, and the
other broadside given without a return from her opponent. At last it
came, and as the shot whizzed over or tore up the planking of the
gunwales, I certainly did feel very strangely. I had never been in
action before, and the sensation was, I confess, that of alarm; but it
was so mingled with curiosity as to what was going on, that it was
impossible to say what my feelings were. I longed to be on deck, and
certainly would have been, if I had thought that I was safe with the
pirate crew: that alone prevented me; I remained, therefore, in a most
unpleasant state of ignorance and suspense.

The broadsides were now exchanged rapidly and the wounded, brought down
between decks ever