man, too, I am certain of it. Well, it's a great comfort to
feel that of a man who you believe has just been taken out of the
world," observed the master. "I hope your man, Yool, was a trusting
believer. I know our man was, poor fellow."

Mr McRitchie had been listening, and seemed much affected at what had
been said. The master spoke so confidently of Mr Brand's death, and of
the others, that we began ourselves to realise the melancholy fact.
What, however, was likely to be our own fate? we had several times asked
ourselves. What could we expect but to be instantly murdered? We
anxiously scanned the horizon on every side. There was not a sign of a
sail of any description. The wind remained steady. There was no
prospect of a storm or a calm. The stranger was coming up after us with
fearful speed. We were within range of her guns, but she did not fire--
so we concluded that she had none on board. It was useless for us to
attempt to do anything by fighting. Jerry and I talked about it, but we
gave it up as a hopeless case. The stranger could quickly have settled
the matter by running us down.

Mr Stone showed us that he did not boast in vain. He was calm and
unmoved in spite of the dreadful danger which threatened us. Still
holding the tiller in his hand, and keeping his eye on the sails, he
knelt down and offered up an earnest prayer for our safety. We followed
his example, as did the natives; and when we arose from our knees, I,
for my part, felt that I was much better prepared than before to meet
with resignation whatever might befall us; so, I have no doubt, did my
companions.

The stranger had now got within musket-range, but still she did not
fire. Those on board, of course, expected that in a few minutes more
they would be up with us, and perhaps did not think us worth their
powder.

"What chance have we now, Mr Stone?" asked the doctor, eyeing our big
pursuer with a look of horror.

"None, sir, that I see," was the answer; "but then, as I said, there may
be means prepared which I don't see, so we'll hold on, if you please."

After a minute or two the patience of the pirates appeared to have been
exhausted. There was a report, and a musket-ball came whistling through
our sails. Jerry and I bobbed our heads, for it felt so terribly near
our ears. Jerry looked up indignantly. "I have a great mind to have a
crack at them in return," he exclaimed; and before any one saw what he
was about,