of our jackets, a half a mile nearer the
ship may save us all our lives."
With a cheer as merry as ever broke from their lips when on board
ship, the reanimated sailors went to work, and soon reared a small
sail made of their clothing, which caught enough wind to move them
slowly onward.
"Steer in the wake of our own vessel, my men, and the strange sail
will come right on to us--get between them."
"Ay, ay, sir!"
As the approaching vessel drew nearer, the crew of the Betsy Allen
sent up a cheer from their united voices which, to their great joy,
was answered from the strange sail.
"Ahoy, where away?"
"Three points on your weather bow--starboard your helm, and you'll be
on us."
"Ay, ay."
In a very short time the shipwrecked crew stood on the deck of the
privateer Raker, which, attracted by the light of their burning brig,
had varied somewhat from its course, to render assistance if any were
needed. Captain Greene and his men soon became acquainted with the
history of the crew of the lost brig, and every attention was shown to
them.
Captain Horton gave them a brief account of the pirate's assault, and
the abduction of Julia.
"O Captain Greene, save my child, if possible. She is my only one,"
exclaimed Mr. Williams.
"Which way did she steer, Captain Horton?"
"She went off right before the wind, sir, and is not three hours ahead
of us."
"Mr. Williams I will immediately give chase, and God grant that I may
overtake the scoundrels."
"A father's thanks shall be yours, sir."
"Never mind that--you had all better turn in; I will steer the same
course with the pirate till morning, sir; and if he is then in sight,
I think he is ours--for there are few things afloat that can outsail
the Raker."
The crew of the Betsy Allen, whose anxiety and exertions during the
last few hours had been excessive, gladly accepted the captain's
offer, and were soon snoring in their hammocks. Captain Horton and Mr.
Williams remained on the deck of the Raker, the one too anxious for
revenge upon the pirate who had destroyed his brig, to sleep, and the
other too much afflicted by the loss of his daughter, and the painful
thoughts which it engendered, to think of any thing but her speedy
recovery.
The long night at length wore away, and with the first beams of the
morning sun the mists rolled heavily upward from the ocean. To the
great joy of all on board the Raker, the pirate-brig was in sight,
though beyond the
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