f
my broadside might have sunk or seriously damaged our antagonist, but
the consequences would have been terrible if he boarded me, which I
believed to be his aim.

Accordingly, I paid no attention to the threat, but taughtened my
ropes and surged ahead. Presently, my racing chaser came up _under my
lee_ within pistol-shot, when a reiterated command to heave to or be
fired on, was answered for the first time by a faint "_no
intiendo_,"--"I don't understand you,"--while the man-of-war shot
ahead of me.

_Then I had him!_ Quick as thought, I gave the order to "square away,"
and putting the helm up, struck the cruiser near the bow, carrying
away her foremast and bowsprit. Such was the stranger's surprise at my
daring trick that not a musket was fired or boarder stirred, till we
were clear of the wreck. It was then too late. The loss of my jib-boom
and a few rope-yarns did not prevent me from cracking on my
studding-sails, and leaving the lubber to digest his stupid
_forbearance_!

This adventure was a fitting epitaph for the stormy life of our poor
commander, who died on the following night, and was buried under a
choice selection of the flags he had honored with his various
nationalities. A few days after the blue water had closed over him for
ever, our cargo was safely ensconced in the _hacienda_ nine miles east
of St. Jago de Cuba, while the San Pablo was sent adrift and burnt to
the water's edge.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

The beneficent disposition of my late commander, though not a regular
testament, was carried out in Cuba, and put me in possession of twelve
thousand dollars as my share of the enterprise. Yet my restless spirit
did not allow me to remain idle. Our successful voyage had secured me
scores of friends among the Spanish slavers, and I received daily
applications for a fresh command.

But the plans of my French friend had so bewitched me with a desire
for imitation, that I declined subordinate posts and aspired to
ownership. Accordingly, I proposed to the proprietor of a large
American clipper-brig, that we should fit her on the same system as
the San Pablo; yet, wishing to surpass my late captain in commercial
success, I suggested the idea of fighting for our cargo, or, in
plainer language, of relieving another slaver of her living freight, a
project which promptly found favor with the owner of "LA CONCHITA."
The vessel in question originally cost twelve thousand dollars, and I
proposed to cover