ue indicative of an
intention to send a new main-topmast up without delay; which might or
might not mean that a suspicion as to our true character had begun to
dawn upon them. By midnight the gale had moderated to a strong breeze,
and the sky had cleared sufficiently to permit of a little moonlight
percolating through between the denser clouds, and we were then able to
make out--to our inexpressible chagrin--that the barque's people had
already got their new topmast aloft and ridded, and were getting their
main-topsail-yard across, having been hard at work, doubtless, ever
since darkness set in, though how they had managed to perform their task
was a puzzle to us. It was, however, another evidence of the resolute
character of their skipper; another hint to us that we should have all
our work cut out to bag him; and the carpenter was therefore at once
sent for, and set forthwith to the task of fishing our mast-head with
all possible expedition. The task was not half executed, however, when
we had the mortification to see our neighbour sheet home his
double-reefed topsails and make sail to the westward. This sight put
our men upon their mettle; they could vividly picture to themselves the
laugh that the slavers would be enjoying at our expense, should they
have suspected our intentions toward them, and before the barque was
absolutely out of sight from aloft, Chips had managed to make such a job
of his work as enabled us to make sail also.

Daylight brought with it a clear sky, dappled with high, fleecy, white,
fine-weather clouds, and a moderate breeze from the south-east, with a
very heavy, confused sea still running, however; and as the barque's
royals were still in sight above the horizon, we cracked on after her,
although the carpenter had warned Ryan that the work done during the
night was scarcely as satisfactory as might be, and that the mast-head
was hardly to be trusted. But the fellow was a thoroughly good man, and
eager to avoid all possibility of it being said that we had lost the
chance of a prize through him. As soon therefore as it was light enough
to see, he was aloft again; and by eight bells he had finished his work,
and reported that we might now pack sail upon the schooner to our
hearts' content, which we forthwith did, giving her everything that
would draw, from the royal down, the wind being very nearly aft, that is
to say, about two points on the larboard quarter. By noon it became
apparent