reach of shot from the privateer.

Although the captain of the Raker had sufficient confidence in the
superior speed of his own vessel, yet to avoid the possibility of
being deceived, he decided to pretend flight, well assured that the
pirate would give chase. He accordingly bore off, as if anxious to
avoid speaking him, and displaying every sign of fear, had the
satisfaction of perceiving the pirate change his course, and set all
sail in pursuit.

In order to test the relative speed of the two vessels he did not at
first slacken his own sail, but put his brig to its swiftest pace. He
had reason to congratulate himself upon the wisdom of his manoeuvre
when he perceived that in spite of every exertion the chase gained
upon him, and it was evident that unless he was crippled by a shot, he
might yet escape.

As the pirate bore down upon his brig, Captain Greene perceived, by
aid of his glass, that the number of the crew on board was
considerably superior to his own, even with the addition of the crew
of the Betsy Allen. In consideration of this fact, he determined to
fight her at a distance with his long gun. This he still kept
concealed amidships, under the canvas, desiring to impress fully upon
his opponent the idea of his inferiority.

Leaving the vessels thus situated, let us visit the pirate again.

Julia, and John in his disguise, were conveyed to his deck, where they
were speedily separated. Julia was conducted below, where, to her
surprise and joy, she found a companion of her own sex, in the person
of Florette.

The wounded commander of the pirate was also conveyed to his berth,
where Florette, with much grief, attended to nurse him. It was in her
first passionate burst of sorrow that Julia discovered her love for
the pirate, from which circumstance she also derived consolation and
relief; and having already, with the natural firmness of her mind,
shaken off the deep despondency which had settled upon it when first
torn from her father, she began to resolve upon the course of action
she would pursue, in every probable event which might befall her.

During the long night the pirate lay groaning and helpless; but such
was the strength of his will, and the all absorbing nature of his
hatred, that when informed on the succeeding morning that a vessel was
in sight, he aroused his physical powers sufficiently to reach the
deck, where, seating himself on the companion-way, he watched the
strange sail with an in