r her, true enough."

"Lay the brig alongside of her," shouted Captain Greene to his men.

As his men with a cheer began to unfurl all sail, Captain Horton
approached the commander of the privateer. He had up to this period
ventured no interference, both from matter of delicacy, and because he
saw nothing to disapprove of in the course pursued by Captain Greene.

"My dear sir," said he, as he laid his hand upon the arm of the
captain of the privateer, "allow me to say a word."

"Certainly, sir," replied the courteous commander. "I ought sooner
than this to have asked your advice."

"I would not place too great confidence in the pirate's signal of
surrender."

"Do you apprehend foul play?"

"Recollect the savage brutality which the fiend has already evinced,
and judge for yourself whether he is worthy of being trusted at all."

"You are right, sir. Lieut. Morris," continued he, turning to his
young officer.

"Ay, ay, sir."

"Load the long gun with grape and canister, and wheel it abaft--load
the larboard guns the same way. Now, my men, don't run too near her.
She must send a boat aboard."

The privateer approached within half a cable's length of the pirate.

"Ship ahoy!" cried Captain Greene.

No answer came from the pirate, but her head was rounded to, so as to
bear directly down on the Raker.

"Answer me, or I'll fire into you."

"Fire and be d--d," came from the deck of the pirate, and at the same
time a broadside was poured into the Raker, which killed two or three
men at the guns, and severely wounded Captain Greene.

"Lieut. Morris," cried he, "take the command of the vessel," and
falling on the deck he was immediately carried below.

The young officer was fully equal to the emergency of the occasion. At
a glance he perceived that the pirate in the confusion which ensued
from his unexpected broadside, had fallen foul of the privateer's
rigging, and the crowd of his crew in his bow and fore-rigging, all
with cutlases drawn, and ready to spring aboard the privateer, plainly
announced the intention to board.

"All hands to repel boarders," shouted Morris, and drawing his cutlas
he sprang forward, followed by his men.

A well contested struggle ensued, the American seamen, indignant at
the foul deceit which had been practiced upon them, fought like
tigers, and for a time kept the pirates at bay--they had indeed,
notwithstanding their superior numbers, nearly driven them from the
deck, when the