mes of the gentlemen, who walked up and down with
swords buckled to their sides, pistols in their belts, or muskets on
their shoulders.

The captain had not vainly boasted of the sped of the ship, and, as he
now hauled up a little to the westward there appeared to be a
considerable chance of her running the stranger out of sight during the
night. Darkness was now coming on. The stranger was seen on the
lee-quarter continuing the pursuit under all sail. Some of the more
timid suggested that part of the cargo should be thrown overboard to
lighten the ship, so as to afford them a better chance of escaping, but
to this the captain would not consent. He was responsible for the
property. He hoped to defend it and every part of it, and even if hove
away it could do little to aid their escape. His calmness and
determination infused courage into all around him. Night came on. The
stranger was still far beyond gunshot. Not a light was allowed to be
shown on board the Indiaman. The ladies were induced to retire to their
cabins, many under the happy belief that all danger had passed, and that
they might look forward to a pleasant continuance of the voyage. None
of the officers or crew, however, went below.

Many of the passengers also remained on deck. As night closed in, far
off was still to be seen the dark outline of the stranger ship. Was she
gaining on the "Osterley?" Captain Winslow and his officers looked and
looked again. There seemed to be little doubt about that. No more
canvas could be clapped on the Indiaman. Everything had been done that
could be thought of to make her sail fast. A hurricane just then would
have been welcome. Clouds were gathering in the sky, and, as the night
drew on, the darkness increased. At length the stranger was hid from
sight. Some declared that they could still see her, but Captain Winslow
was of opinion that they were mistaken. Still even he, as he walked the
deck, continued to cast many an anxious glance astern. He called his
first officer to him, and they held an earnest consultation together.

"We'll try it," he observed; and the yards were squared away, and the
Indiaman was once more steering to the southward dead before the wind;
it was her best point of sailing. It was hoped that the stranger,
believing that she was bound for Madras, would continue the chase in
that direction. The darkness continued.

"Well, sir, I trust that we have given that suspicious-loo