ease in the slaver's rate of sailing became apparent, and even then
Hans could not quite comprehend it; but the fact was, that the slaver
was very light, and was built mainly for running before the wind. Her
sails were large, and she thus sailed in a light wind better than could
a larger, heavier ship, to which a strong breeze was better adapted.
Thus as the wind was falling lighter, she gradually increased her
distance from her pursuer, and bid fair to escape out of sight. The
wind, which had decreased from a fresh breeze to merely a light air,
ceased altogether about sundown, and before dark the slaver was
becalmed, not having even enough way on her to enable her head to be
kept in one direction. The last rays of the setting sun just illumined
the royals and topgallant sails of the distant vessel, and at this Hans
cast a lingering look as he left the deck and was sent below, and again
chained to the benches. Some of the negroes, who had been taken on deck
for various labours, had seen the pursuing ship, and were evidently
under the belief that she was an enemy of the captain's, and therefore
was a friend of theirs. A great deal of talking was going on amongst
these men, evidently with reference to what they had seen on deck,
though their words were unintelligible to Hans.

Night closed in, and all was silent on deck. The groaning of the
bulkheads could alone be heard as the vessel rolled lazily on the now
tolerably quiet sea. The effect of the fresh sea breeze, and the labour
he had undergone, rendered Hans sleepy, and though his position was a
most uncomfortable one, he yet managed to sleep for short intervals.
From one of these brief minutes of repose he awoke, and heard the
sailors on deck talking in subdued tones. The rattle of swords or some
such weapons on the deck was audible, whilst the ring of a ramrod, as
bullets were rammed down, was a sound which to Hans' ears was very
intelligible. What all these preparations were for he could not imagine
unless it was that the captain and crew expected the slaves to mutiny,
and were thus making preparations to meet them.

When the sailors appeared to have loaded several muskets, all was again
quiet on deck, and no sound seemed to indicate that there was a living
soul there--the groans of some of the slaves, and the snores of others,
being audible to those only who were with them.

For some time this quietness continued, when Hans heard a slight
movement on dec