so long; I sounded the others, and found them
all willing.

"We sailed from the Mexican Gulf, and made for the Rendezvous Bay, in
Cuba. As soon as we arrived, of course, as with all pirate vessels, the
first day was dedicated to revelling and intoxication--that is, by the
white portion of the crew. We negroes were employed in getting the
casks ashore for water. That very night, when they all lay asleep and
drunk, we put every soul of them to death, and the Stella belonged to me
and my brave black who chose me for their captain, and swore by their
wrongs eternal enmity to the European race.

"As you may suppose, I was short-manned; but we soon found plenty of
men, and have now as fine a crew as ever trod a deck."

"How long is it since you took possession of the vessel?"

"About eight or nine months, during which time I have spared none except
you. The usual death is drowning; but if I fall in with a slaver,
then--you know what took place yesterday."

I was silent for a time. "I do not wonder," said I, at last, "at your
hatred of the whites, especially of the Americans. As for your wreaking
your vengeance upon those employed in the slave trade, dreadful as it
is, I scarcely pity them; but in your general warfare against the
whites, recollect that you may murder those who are your friends, and
who have done all they can to put an end to slavery. Even in America,
there are many who are opposed to it."

"It is impossible to make a distinction," replied the negro.

"What is your name?" said I, musing.

"Why do you ask? You may as well know; I wish it to be known: it is
James Vincent."

"But tell me, if you were to meet with a very superior force, what would
you do?"

"Run if I could; if not, fight."

"But you might be captured, and then--"

"Never, boy; never."

"Well," said I, "as you have begun by sparing me, I hope you will spare
others now."

"I don't know why I spared you. Had you shown any fear of death I
should not have done so; but I felt that you would not care about it. I
believe it was that."

About ten days after, we made the east end of the island of Cuba, and
ran into the Bay of Rendezvous, as it was named by the pirate. It was
very small, but completely land-locked, and the land so high on every
side that the masts of the vessel could not be seen from the seaward.
The bay on the land side was met by a deep, narrow ravine, between
mountains which were almost perpendicular, the ra