Esse and I were watching what was taking place.
Presently we saw a figure appear at the stern of the prize. The next
instant there was a plunge, and the waters closed over the man's head.
Another and another followed. The prow then cast off, and a bright
flame burst forth from the merchant vessel. The materials of which she
was composed ignited rapidly, and in another instant she was one mass of
fire; one after the other was treated in the same way. We had got
half-a-mile from the scene before all the vessels taken had burned to
the water's edge and sunk, leaving not a trace behind, while we sailed
away with the goods which had lately filled their holds. I confess I
did not feel quite as comfortable in the society of our friends after
this occurrence as I had done before. We had been nearly six weeks on
board, and the pirates had taken a considerable number of prizes, when
Smith told us that he suspected, from the conversation he overheard,
that they were about to return to their own stronghold, to which traders
were wont to resort for the purchase of their goods. Our best chance of
escape will be to make a bargain with one of the captains, and get him
to buy us of the Rajah, we promising to repay him. Esse and I talked
over the matter, and, though it did not appear very promising, we of
course agreed to attempt it, if we could find no other way of escape.
Two nights after this we were at sea, with the wind aft, and the water
smooth, though the sky was overcast. Now and then the moon came forth,
soon again, however, to be obscured. Our prow was leading. A small
vessel, apparently a trader, appeared ahead, and we gave chase. She
must have seen us, and made all sail to escape. We pursued eagerly.
Now we saw her, now the darkness hid her from sight. On we went. The
night was hot, and Esse and I, with our companions, were on the
fore-part of the deck watching the chase, hoping heartily she would
escape.

"She's distancing us, sir," observed Kiddle. "She's in luck, for I
don't think the black fellows will have her this time."

Suddenly the moon beamed forth.

"Hillo! Why, what is that?" exclaimed Esse.

We all eagerly looked out. A little on the starboard-bow, the rays of
the bright luminary fell upon the white canvas of a tall ship standing
across our course.

"She's a man-of-war, or I am a Dutchman!" exclaimed Kiddle, "and a
frigate too."

"Perhaps she is the Orion herself, after all," cried Esse.