eing kept fully informed of the progress
of the approaching vessels, had caused our prize, _La Belle Estelle_, to
be warped far enough off from the wharf wall to allow of our boats being
placed in ambush between her and the wharf, where they now lay, with
their officers and crew already in them, waiting for the moment when the
word should be given for them to dash forth from their hiding-place.

At length the brigantine, with the barque less than a cable's length
astern of her--both of them flying Spanish colours at their gaff-ends--
arrived within a mile of the spot where it would be necessary for her to
luff up in order to fetch the anchorage, whereupon Purchase and I
descended from our look-out, and, having made our final report to the
skipper, went our several ways--the first to take command of the pinnace
in the impending attack, and I to place myself at the head of the
convalescents, my duty being to assist as might be required, and to see
that the prisoners did not seize the opportunity to become troublesome.

The prisoners were all confined in outbuildings at the rear of the
settlement, and it was there that my little band of armed convalescents
were assembled; consequently I was obliged to station myself where I
could keep an eye upon and be in touch with them. Yet I was quite
determined that, even though I must keep one eye upon my own especial
command, and the buildings over which they were mounting guard, I would
also witness the attack upon the approaching slavers. Ultimately, after
two or three unsuccessful attempts, I succeeded in finding a spot from
which I could accomplish both objects, and at the same time sit
comfortably in the shadow of a building.

A few minutes later, from behind the belt of trees and scrub that
extended along the whole southern shore of the islet, I beheld the end
of the brigantine's flying-jib-boom slide into view, with the flying-
jib, recently hauled down, napping loosely in the wind; then followed
the rest of the spar, with the standing jib also hauled down, and a
couple of men out on the boom, busily engaged in stowing it; then her
fore-topmast staysail, beautifully cut and drawing like a whole team of
horses, swept into view, followed by the fore part of a very handsome
hull bearing the foremast, with the topsail still set, the
topgallantsail and royal clewed up and in process of being furled, and
the course hanging from the foreyard in graceful festoons. Finally came
t