s the smoke occasionally cleared away, I saw the Arrow
schooner close hauled on the same tack as the Stella, and distant about
a mile, every ten seconds the smoke from her guns booming along the
water's surface, and the shot whizzing through our rigging; she had not
suffered much from our fire: her sails were full of shot-holes, it is
true, but her spars were not injured. I then turned my eyes upon the
masts and rigging of the Stella: apparently, the damage done was about
equal to that received by the Arrow; our sails were torn, but our spars
were unscathed.

The water was smooth, although the breeze was fresh, and both schooners
were running at the rate of six or seven miles an hour; but the Stella
had evidently the advantage of sailing, and fore-reached upon her
opponent. I perceived that everything depended upon a lucky hit and
having satisfied myself with what I had seen, I hastened down below.

For more than half an hour the firing continued without advantage on
either side, when a yell was given by the negro crew, and I heard them
cry on the deck that the Arrow's foretop-mast was shot away. I heard
the voice of Vincent cheering his men, and telling them to be steady in
their aim. My heart sunk at the intelligence, and I sat down on a
chest.

The firing now slackened, for the Stella had shot ahead of the English
schooner, and the negroes on deck were laughing and in high good-humour.
For a few minutes the firing ceased altogether, and I took it for
granted that the Stella had left her pursuers far behind; when of a
sudden, a whole broadside of guns were poured into us, and there was a
terrible crashing and confusion on the deck.

I ran up the ladder to see what had happened. It appeared that as the
Stella was crossing the bows of the Arrow, the latter had, as a last
chance thrown up in the wind, and discharged her whole broadside into
us: two shots had struck our mainmast, which had fallen by the board. I
perceived at once that the Stella's chance was over--nothing could save
her; she might resist the schooner but could not escape the frigate.

I ran down below, and went into the cabin; I was afraid that the negroes
might perceive the joy in my countenance. I heard the angry voice of
the negro captain--I heard him stamping with rage, and I thanked God
that I was not by his side. The wreck of the mast was soon cleared
away; I heard him address his negroes, point out to them that it was
better to die lik