e been
saved, and fearing that he was lost. For a long time too it seemed I
could not go to sleep. The vessel also was pitching heavily, the sea
dashed against her sides, and I could hear the roaring and whistling of
the wind in her rigging; it was evidently blowing very hard. At last I
dropped off to sleep. I was awakened by a loud crash, and the fearful
shrieks and cries which arose from the hold.

No longer heeding my friend's caution, slipping on my clothes, I rushed
on deck. The schooner's masts had gone by the board, and she lay
helpless on the foaming ocean. The crew were shouting and swearing as
they endeavoured to cut away the masts, which were battering against her
sides, while ever and anon a heavy sea striking her, swept over her
deck, and from the shrieks which came up out of the waters a short
distance away to leeward, I had little doubt that several of the people
had been washed overboard. Fearing that such might be my fate were I to
remain on deck, I hurried back again into the cabin. I knew that
nothing could be done till daylight, and that it would be impossible to
rig jury-masts until the sea was somewhat smoother. Perhaps before then
the slaver and her living freight might be carried down into the depths
of ocean. I would not venture to lie down, but sat in the cabin, ready
to rush out and make an attempt for my life should such a catastrophe
appear imminent.

The night seemed very long. At length I saw daylight through the
bull's-eye overhead, and the movement of the vessel was less violent
than before. I could no longer restrain my curiosity, and made my way
on deck. The crew, much diminished, were sheltering themselves under
the bulwarks, while the officers were collected in the after part of the
vessel. I saw that their eyes were directed to windward, I looked in
the same direction, and there to my infinite satisfaction I caught sight
of the corvette standing towards us. I was glad to see my English
friend among the officers, but the captain and first mate were gone.
They had been carried overboard. I felt that they deserved their fate,
terrible as it was.

The corvette soon came up, and hove-to to windward; a boat was lowered
and pulled towards us. I watched her eagerly. A lieutenant was
steering, and among her crew I observed a black man. I tried to make
out his features, but at that distance it was impossible. The hope rose
in my breast that he might be Paul.

As the s