us every day."

"If you are tired already, my pretty lady," said Captain Horton, "I
wonder what you'll be before we get to the Indies."

"Heigh-ho," sighed the fair lady.

"Mast-head there," shouted Captain Horton.

"Ay, ay, sir."

"What do you make of her _now_?"

"Nothing yet, sir; we are overhauling her fast though."

In a short time the top-sails of the strange vessel became visible
from the deck.

"Ah! she's hove in sight, has she?" said Captain Horton. "I'll see
what I can make of her," and seizing his glass he ascended the
fore-ratlins, nearly to the cross-trees, and after a long and steady
survey of the approaching vessel, in which survey he also included the
whole horizon, he descended with a thoughtful countenance, muttering
to himself, "I was a little afraid of it."

"Well captain," inquired Julia, "is it an English vessel?"

"May be 't is--can't tell where 't was built."

"Can't you see the flag?"

"Can't make it out yet."

"Captain Horton," exclaimed the merchant, who had been watching his
countenance from the moment he had descended the ratlins, "you _do_
know something about that vessel, I am sure."

Captain Horton interrupted him by an earnest glance toward Julia,
which the fair girl herself noticed.

"O! be not afraid to say any thing before me, captain. I am not easily
frightened, and if you have to fight I will help you."

The bright eyes of the girl as she spoke grew brighter, and her little
hand was clenched as if it held a sword.

Casting a glance of admiration toward the beautiful girl, Captain
Horton leisurely filled his pipe from his waistcoat pocket, and
replied as he lit it--

"Well, I'm inclined to think it's what we call a pirate, my fair
lady."

"A pirate," sung out John, "a pirate, boo-hoo! oh dear! we shall all
be ravaged and cooked, and eaten. O dear! why didn't I marry Susan
Thompson, and go to keeping an inn--boo-hoo!"

"John," said his master, "be still, or if you must cry, go below."

The servant made a manly effort, and managed to repress his
ejaculations, but could not keep back the large tears which followed
each other down his cheeks in rapid succession.

"Can't you run from her, captain?" asked the merchant.

"Have you no guns aboard?" inquired Julia.

"I see you are for fighting the rascals, Miss Julia, and I own that
would be the pleasantest course for me; but you see, we can't do it.
The company don't allow their vessels enough fire-arms to be