been standing off the coast of Africa
under easy sail, when, just as the cold grey light of day stole over the
waters, a vessel was seen inside of her, evidently making for a harbour
in the neighbourhood. As the light increased, she was discovered to be
a schooner.

"All hands make sail," cried the officer of the watch, who had just made
his report to the commander.

"All hands make sail," echoed the boatswain, giving with his shrill pipe
the well-known signal. "Tumble up there, tumble up there," roared out
the boatswain's mates, with their gruff voices, to the sluggards who
seemed inclined to stick in their hammocks.

In a few moments the watch below were rushing up on deck and flying to
their stations, and then, as if by magic, the masts and yards of the
brig were covered with the broad sheets of canvas which had been furled
during the night. Topgallant-sails, royals, and studding-sails being
set in rapid succession, away glided the brig with her head towards the
land, through the calm, leaden-coloured water. Jack and Terence had
with the rest sprung on deck, not taking many moments to slip into their
clothes. Few landsmen can understand how quickly that operation can, by
constant practice, be performed. They had there joined Alick, who had
the morning watch. Together they all went aloft to take a look at the
chase.

"She's a slaver, from her evident wish to avoid us, and from the way she
is standing," observed Alick, after having taken a long look at her
through his glass. "We may prevent her from embarking her slaves, and
save the poor wretches the horrors to which they are always exposed,
when once they get on board these iniquitous prison-ships. To look down
on a slave-deck crowded with human beings, is quite sufficient to make a
man abhor slavery for ever after, and to desire to put an end, with all
his might, to the system which can produce such horrors."

Jack and Adair agreed that they should have great satisfaction in
capturing or destroying every slaver on the coast. The stranger soon
discovered that the brig of war was in chase of her, and having crowded
all sail, kept away directly for the land. From the wide spread of her
white canvas, and from the way she had behaved, there was no doubt she
was a slaver. Everybody felt certain that they should capture the
stranger; the _Archer_ was undoubtedly overhauling her, and she could
not escape either to the north or south without their perceivin