e entered Sourabaya in the evening, when the streets were still crowded
with the mixed population of the town, in their varied and picturesque
dresses, each speaking their own language, or uttering the various cries
of their respective trades. I directly rode to the hotel in the hopes
of finding Fairburn there, as I was eager to learn how he was
progressing with the schooner. He had not returned; and I was setting
off to the docks when I met him coming in.

"How do you get on?" I exclaimed, as soon as I saw him. "Are we likely
soon to be able to start?"

"We have gone ahead more rapidly than I expected," he answered. "What
by good wages and encouragement, and constant supervision, the
carpenters and riggers have got on so well, that I expect she will be
ready for sea in a few days. The more I see of the little craft, the
more I like her; for she is a beauty, I can assure you, and will sail
well too."

"I am delighted to hear it, and thank you for all your exertions in my
cause," I answered. "I long to be fairly under weigh. But have you
gained any more information about the _Emu_?"

"Nothing of importance," he answered. "A Dutch merchantman came in here
a few days ago, and she reports that some months since, on her outward
voyage, she was chased by a strange brig, which showed no colours; but,
by carrying all sail, she got away from her. If that was the _Emu_, it
shows that she has taken regularly to piracy, and that we must be
prepared to encounter her."

To this I agreed; but the thought that my sister and Mrs Clayton were
among wretches who were pursuing such a course made me feel very
wretched. The next morning I accompanied Fairburn down to the vessel.
I was indeed surprised with the appearance she presented. Indeed, she
required little more than to get her sails bent and her stores on board
to be ready for sea. She mounted four carronades, and one long brass
gun amidships, besides numerous swivels on her bulwarks, to enable her
to contend in every way with any piratical prahus we might encounter.
Besides these, her arm-chests contained a good supply of muskets,
pistols, and cutlasses.

"I have engaged also the best part of our crew," said Fairburn. "They
are all staunch fellows, or I am much mistaken. It is important that we
should be well manned. There are eight Englishmen, four Dutchmen, two
Americans, and six Javanese. The last are fine fellows, and, well
treated, will labour hard; and i