d see the whole of
her hull. She was a large barque, and there could be little doubt that
the pirates were right in supposing her to be a merchantman. We had
just done breakfast when she was first seen; it was almost sunset by the
time her hull was completely seen.

Our appearance did not seem to have created any alarm on board, for she
stood on steadily in her course to the southward. We followed like a
blood-hound chasing its prey. The pirates were in high glee; they
recognised the vessel as one which had been unloading in San Francisco
when they had been there, and they seemed to have no doubt, from the
number of people who appeared to be on board, seen through their
glasses, that her passengers were gold-diggers, returning to their
distant homes with their hard-earned gains--some obtained, undoubtedly,
by honest, laborious industry--others, perhaps, by the many lawless
means to which people will resort when excited by the lust of getting
money.

As darkness settled down on the ocean, we could just see the vessel
ahead. We kept on in her wake. As we much outsailed her, we quickly
stole up after her, till we could make out the dark figures of her crew,
as they stood on her deck, wondering, probably, what we could be. Not a
shot was fired--no words were exchanged between the two vessels.
"Perhaps the large vessel is prepared for the strife," I thought to
myself. "If so, the pirates may again find that they have caught a
tartar; still, it is strange that no one on board takes notice of us."
We were still following in the wake of the stranger, but rapidly
overhauling her. Jerry and I remained on deck to see what would happen.
We had got close up on her quarter. Our helm was put to port, and this
placed us on a line which enabled us to run up alongside. Not till our
bows were almost up to the stranger's quarter did any one hail us.

"What are you? what do you want?" asked some one, in a tone of surprise.

"We'll show you," replied Captain Bruno.

"Oh! is that your game?" exclaimed a person on board the stranger. "We
thought so;--fire!"

The order was obeyed, and several shot came crashing into the bows of
the schooner. The pirates were not slow in returning the compliment.
Their fury was speedily worked up to the highest pitch. They laboured
away at the guns, shouting and uttering terrific oaths, more like demons
than men. We quickly ranged up alongside, keeping a little further off
than we probably