tely better, as they were far
more generally understood. At the conclusion of a toast I ordered the
guns to be fired to give it due effect, when so surprised were our
guests with the unexpected sound, that up they jumped as if electrified:
some went overboard, not knowing what was to follow; others hid
themselves under the table, and the rest tried to find their way below.
They were, however, in no way offended, when they discovered that no one
was hurt. The clothes of those who had been in the water were speedily
dried, and perfect harmony was restored.

We lay here for some days, in order to refresh the crew, and to supply
ourselves with wood, water, and fresh provisions. I will not say that I
began to despair of falling in with the _Emu_; but I was much
disappointed in not finding her. I had now been many months engaged in
the search, and was still as far as ever, I supposed, from the success I
wished for. We expected the last of our stores on board during the day,
and should immediately have sailed, when one morning a vessel was
observed in the offing, standing towards the island. We were curious to
know what she could be, and were watching her approach. Van Graoul made
her out to be a brig; and as she drew near, we saw that she was a small,
low black vessel, with the American ensign flying at her peak. My heart
beat with an extraordinary sensation of doubt and fear, as I saw her.

"Fairburn," I exclaimed, touching his shoulder, "what do you think of
that craft? Does she not answer the description of the _Emu_?"

"Indeed she does," he answered; "but she may not be the _Emu_; and if
she is, your friends may not be on board her."

"We will speedily learn," I exclaimed. "Let us get under weigh, and go
out and meet her."

"Wait a bit," observed Van Graoul. "Her people do not know who we are.
Let her come in and drop her anchor; and when her people go on shore to
amuse themselves, then we will go on board and see who they have got
below."

I at once saw the wisdom of this advice, and acceded to it.

There was a fine breeze, and the stranger came boldly on with all sails
set. We, being close under the shore, and our hull being hidden by a
spit of land, could see her without being ourselves discovered. There
were two harbours where we lay, an outer and an inner one; and we were
in hopes that she would come into the inner one and be entrapped. To
our great satisfaction, an Arrapara pilot went out to mee