a huge rent
in the mizzen-topsail--another dashed in the galley, and a third tore
up the companion-way, and still another cut down the fore-topmast, and
materially decreased the speed of the vessel.

Noticing this the pirate ceased his fire, and soon drew up within hail
of the merchantman.

"Ship ahoy--what ship?"

"The Betsy Allen, London."

"Lay-by till I send a boat aboard."

Captain Horton gave orders to his crew to wait the word of command
before they altered the vessel's course, and then seizing the trumpet,
hailed the pirate.

"What ship's that?"

"The brig Death--don't you see the flag?"

"I know the character of your ship, doubtless."

"Well, lay-by, or we'll bring you to with a broadside."

Perceiving the inutility of further effort, Captain Horton brought-to,
and hauled down his flag.

In a short time the jolly-boat of the pirate was lowered from the
stern, and the commander jumped in, followed by a dozen of his crew.

The vigorous arms of the oarsmen soon brought the boat to the
merchantman, and the pirate stood upon the deck of the captured
vessel.

"Well, sir, you have given us some trouble to overhaul you," said he,
in a manner rather gentlemanly than savage.

"We should have been fools if we had not tried our best to escape."

"True, true--will you inform me how you eluded our pursuit last night.
I ask merely from motives of curiosity?"

Captain Horton briefly related the deception of the boat.

"Ah! ha! very well done. Here Diego," said he to one of the sailors
who had followed him, "go below and bring up the passengers."

The swarthy rascal disappeared with a malignant grin through the
cabin-door, and speedily escorted Mr. Williams to the deck, followed
by Julia, and, to the surprise of Captain Horton and his crew, another
female.

"Now, captain," said the pirate, with a fiendish smile, "I shall
proceed to convey your merchandize to my brig, including these two
ladies, though, by my faith, we shall have little use for one of them.
After which I will leave you in quiet."

"I could expect no better terms," said Captain Horton, resignedly.

"O, you will soon be relieved from my presence."

Julia clung to her father, but was torn from his grasp, and the good
old man was pushed back by the laughing fiends, as he attempted to
follow her to the boat. The father and daughter parted with a look of
strong anguish, relieved in the countenance of Julia by a deep
expression of firmness