raft," he said. "The lighter sails of a large
vessel would not look so clear as that does."

If Jack was right, there could be no doubt that the mate had purposely
altered his course for the sake of getting away from us. I could not
help thinking that he was fully capable of such treachery. Soon after
this, again sweeping the horizon with the glass, my eye fell on the
topsails of a vessel far away to the north-west. I pointed it out to
Jack, and both he and Timbo were of opinion that she was standing toward
us on a wind, and that if we continued running as we were doing, she
would before long be up with us.

CHAPTER THREE.

ON BOARD THE SCHOONER.

Our spirits, which had naturally been at a low ebb, were greatly cheered
by the sight of the strange sail. She had evidently a strong breeze
with her, stronger than we should like when it reached us, as it
probably would do before long. Already, indeed, it had freshened, and
the sea had got up considerably. This made us more than ever anxious to
be seen and taken on board. Gradually her topsails rose above the
horizon. We watched her anxiously. Although we were not seen, Timbo
and Leo could not resist an impulse to stand up and wave towards the
stranger. She was standing steadily to the southward, gradually edging
in towards the land. Our hopes increased of cutting her off. We made
her out to be a large topsail schooner--a rakish-looking craft. Nearer
and nearer she drew. Still she came on so fast that we began to fear
that we should not get sufficiently to the westward to be seen, for
though we could make her out clearly, and could now see her hull, we
were so low in the water, that unless those on board were keeping a
bright look-out, they might easily pass us.

"What do you think, Timbo? Shall we get up with her?" asked Stanley.

"Not quite sure, massa. If dey look dis way, den dey see us; but if dey
not look dis way, den dey pass to westward one mile or perhaps two
mile."

At length Jack Handspike gave a loud shout. The schooner was coming up
to the wind. Her foretopsail was thrown aback, and she lay hove-to.
"We are seen! We are seen!" we exclaimed, one after the other.
Presently a boat was lowered; she came gliding over the water towards
us. As she approached we saw that she had a crew of dark, swarthy men,
evidently not English. They hailed us in a foreign language. Senhor
Silva replied, and a short conversation ensued.

"They are my