vine itself being
accessible from the main land by only one narrow path known to the
pirates, and which they seldom made use of, except when a spy was sent
to the Havannah to ascertain what vessels were about to sail.

On the high land which shut in the bay from the sea, the pirates had a
man constantly on the look-out, to report any vessel which might be in
the offing, and Vincent himself passed much of his time there, as the
breeze was fresh and the air cool to what it was down in the land-locked
bay. I was, for the same reason, very fond of being on the look-out
hill, and generally followed up the captain when he went out there. He
certainly now showed a strong affection for me, and I liked him better
than I ever thought I could have done. He was constantly telling me of
the treatment he and the other poor blacks had received in America, and
I could not help feeling my blood boil, and a conviction that, had I
been so treated, I should probably have been equally under the influence
of revenge. It is the world, and the treatment we receive from it,
which makes us chiefly what we are.

One day the captain told me he was going that evening to obtain
information, as the spy he had sent had returned unsuccessful, and that
he should be absent for three or four days.

Although I was not discontented with my position, still, as the reader
may well suppose, I had a strong wish to be out of it as soon as
possible, and I had determined to escape if I could; it immediately
occurred to me, that his absence would give me the opportunity.

I replied with a laugh, "Had you not better take me with you?"

"Very likely, indeed, you would be so very useful; I shall have quite
enough to do to take care of myself; besides, you might betray me,"
added he, with a fierce and penetrating look.

"Thank you, for your good opinion," replied I, indignantly. "So you
think, because you have saved my life, that I would take yours. I am
not yet such a rascal, whatever I may become by keeping bad company."

"Well, well," replied the negro captain, "I believe I am wrong, so don't
get into a passion; but, at all events, you must see that it is
impossible I can take you with me."

"If you don't choose, I can't help it," said I; "but I don't like
remaining here without you; I shall run away if I can, so I give you
fair warning."

"You won't find that quite so easy," replied he, laughing; "and I
recommend you not to attempt it."

Here the