the idea that
she might have fallen into the power of the corvette, and seemed rather
to wish that she might have gone to the bottom. However, as she was a
capital sea-boat, it was possible she might have weathered the gale, in
which case Jerry and I concluded that she would find her way to some
rendezvous or other with the pirate. We hoped she might, for vague
ideas ran through our minds that she might by some means or other enable
us to make our escape from our captors. We could not tell how, but we
thought that perhaps we might some night get on board her in some
harbour, when the large schooner was refitting, and run off with her.
Very slender hopes serve to buoy up people in circumstances like ours.

Three or four days passed away, and the pirates became pretty confident
that the man-of-war was not likely again to fall in with them. As Jerry
and I passed the compass, we carelessly cast a glance at it, and found
that we were still steering a course to the southward. The pirates were
now constantly on the alert. It was evident that they were on the watch
for some vessel or some island. We considered that they were looking
for a vessel, from the various directions in which they were looking
out--north, south, east, and west; and sometimes we lay hove-to for
hours together.

"I say, Harry, would it not be a joke if they were to fall in with the
corvette again?" observed Jerry, when no one was near. "The Americans
would not let us escape quite so easily as before."

"The pirates will be too wary for that," I answered. "But look! there
is something in sight from the mast-head. There is `up helm.' Away we
go in chase of her, whatever she may be."

There was a strong breeze from the north-west. Our course was about
south-east. Mr McRitchie joined us in our walk on deck. He looked
more grave and sad even than before. He had heard, we concluded, that
the pirates were about to commit some fresh act of atrocity. They
expected some fighting, at all events, we soon discovered; for the
magazine was opened, powder and shot were got up, and all hands were
busily employed in overhauling their arms, giving them an additional
cleaning, and loading their pistols.

We did not venture aloft, but we looked out eagerly ahead to discover
the vessel of which it was clear the pirates were in chase. First
royals, then top-gallant-sails, and topsails slowly rose above the
horizon. At last her courses appeared, and we coul