could gain but little by fighting should the stranger
prove an enemy, we did our best to run away. The prize, however, sailed
badly, and the stranger, which turned out to be a large schooner, sailed
remarkably well. We had a couple of guns; so we fired away with them as
long as we could till she ranged up alongside, when a number of men
leaped on our decks and we were obliged to give in. I was carried on
board the schooner; but the rest of the men were left on board the brig
to work her, so that I hope that their lives may have been preserved.
She was a privateer out of Saint Malo. Your determined attempt to
escape excited their anger to the highest degree; and at the very moment
that the vessel was struck by lightning, from the effects of which she
foundered, they were swearing vengeance against you, wherever you might
be. Their terrific shrieks and cries, as one after the other they were
overwhelmed by the waves, made my heart sink within me. Still I
determined not to yield as long as my strength endured, and I struck out
for dear life. I soon found myself close to a shattered spar, to which
was attached a quantity of rigging. I climbed up and lashed myself
securely to it. Thus I passed the night. I more than once thought I
saw the dismantled brig; and you may fancy my joy when I caught sight of
her at dawn. Still I scarcely expected that anybody on board would be
able to render me assistance; and when I saw that all her boats were
gone, I almost gave up hope. I have not thanked Freeborn as I wish; but
I have those at home who will thank him still more, if we are allowed to
reach dry land, and I am sure our Captain will thank him too."

While the lads had been talking, the appearance of the sky gave evident
signs that the gale was breaking. Still the sea ran very high, and the
waterlogged wreck laboured in a way which made it doubtful whether each
plunge she made would not prove her last. She sunk lower and lower, and
it was very evident that in a short time no part of her deck would be
tenable. Anxiously, therefore, all eyes were looking out for a sail.
Each time that the brig rose to the top of a sea, they all looked out on
every side, in the hope of catching a glimpse of some approaching
vessel; and blank was the feeling when she again sunk down into the deep
trough and they knew that no help was near.

Suddenly True Blue shouted out, "A sail! a sail!--she is standing
towards us!" He had seen her be