lly would fall asleep. With much satisfaction I saw this effect
take place.

"Now I am commanding officer," I thought, "and I will see what is next
to be done." Just as I had thought this, and had stood up to look
around me, I felt the hot breeze coming off the land. An idea struck
me, if I could but liberate the prisoners, they might run the vessel far
away to sea before the morning, and out of the reach of the pirates.

How to accomplish this was the next thought. Go with them I could not,
on account of my oath, and I was also bound to the rest. There was a
sentry placed before Captain Dean's cabin. I determined to make him
tipsy also, I had recourse to the old rum, and with the same effect it
had on the mate. Two men walked the deck near the main hatchway, the
other four were forward. The prisoners were in the hold, and my great
difficulty was to get to them.

I went on deck to watch the two men. They were sitting down, and I had
hopes were asleep. Mark Anthony, whom I most feared, was forward. The
night had become very dark, so I went close to them without being
perceived, and I could distinguish by the tones of their voices that all
four were talking together. On this I crept back to the cabin. The
sentry was snoring in complete insensibility, so I dragged him on one
side, and tapped softly at the door of the state-cabin.

"It is Peter," I whispered. "Open the door, I have something to say."
Mary knew my voice, and opened it before I had done speaking, for I had
unlocked it from the outside.

"Captain Dean," I said, in a hurried tone, "the wind is off the shore;
two of your guards are unconscious from drink; and if I can but make the
rest so, or you can manage to overpower them, you may regain possession
of your vessel. I can neither assist you further, nor can I accompany
you, for at all risks I must return to the schooner."

"Oh no, no," exclaimed Mary, "you must go with us; we cannot leave you
behind with those dreadful men."

"I have taken an oath, Mary, and I must remain," I replied. "But have
no fears for me. I shall, I trust, finally escape from the toils which
surround me, and we may meet again." For some time I continued in the
same strain, and finally succeeded in winning her over to my view of the
case. I had less difficulty in persuading her father that there was no
other chance of escape; and I urged on him the duty he owed to his
owners as well as to his child, if not to hims