stinguish the dim outline of a vessel in that
direction. Gradually the sails of a ship with taut raking masts became
visible.

"That craft is not one of our convoy, and I doubt that she comes among
us for any good purpose," exclaimed the captain. "I should like to
bring the frigate down upon the fellow, but we should lose our share of
the work, and I think that we can manage him ourselves. Call the
starboard watch, Mr Stubbs."

The men soon came tumbling up from below, rather astonished at being so
soon called. The other officers were also soon on deck Mr Randolph
agreed that the stranger, which hung on our quarter like some ill-omened
bird of prey, had an exceedingly suspicious appearance, and that we were
only acting with ordinary prudence in being prepared for him.

"The fellow won't fire, as he would bring the frigate down upon him if
he did," observed the first mate; "he will therefore either run
alongside in the hopes of surprising us, and taking us by boarding
before we have time to fire a pistol, which would attract notice, or,
should the wind fall light, he may hope to cut us out with his boats."

Eight bells struck. We could hear the sound borne faintly over the
waters from two of the Indiamen to windward of us, but no echo came from
the deck of the stranger. The men were ordered to lie down under the
bulwarks till wanted. Had Captain Hassall thought fit, he might, by
making sail, have got out of danger, but he had hopes that instead of
being taken by the stranger he might take him. It struck me that we
might be running an unwarrantable risk of getting the vessel or cargo
injured by allowing ourselves to be attacked.

"Not in the least," answered the captain; "we serve as a bait to the
fellow, and shall benefit directly by catching him. If we were to give
the alarm he would be off like a shot, and depend on it he has a fast
pair of heels, or he would not venture in among us, so that the frigate
would have little chance of catching him."

The truth is, Captain Hassall had made up his mind to do something to
boast of. Orders were now given to the men to remain perfectly silent;
the stranger was drawing closer and closer; grapnels had been got ready
to heave on board him, and to hold him fast should it be found
advisable. It was, however, possible that his crew might so greatly
outnumber ours that this would prove a dangerous proceeding. As to our
men, they knew when they shipped that they might