I'll tell my wife." Buzzby went forward; but the captain's heart failed him, and he took two or three rapid, hesitating turns on the quarter-deck ere he could make up his mind to speak.
"Alice," he said at length abruptly, "yonder vessel is a pirate." Mrs.Ellice looked up in surprise, and her face grew pale as her eye met the troubled gaze of her husband.
"Are you quite sure, Frederick ?" "Yes, quite.

Would God that I were left alone to--but--nay, do not be alarmed; perhaps I am wrong, it may be a--a clipper-built trading-vessel.

If not, Alice, we must make some show of fighting, and try to frighten them.

Meanwhile you must go below." The captain spoke encouragingly as he led his wife to the cabin; but his candid countenance spoke too truthfully, and she felt that his look of anxious concern bade her fear the worst.
Pressing her fervently to his heart, Captain Ellice sprang on deck.
By this time the news had spread through the ship, and the crew, consisting of upwards of thirty men, were conversing earnestly in knots of four or five while they sharpened and buckled on cutlasses, or loaded pistols and carbines.
"Send the men aft, Mr.Thompson," said the captain, as he paced the deck to and fro, casting his eyes occasionally on the schooner, which was rapidly nearing the vessel.

"Take another pull at these main-topsail-halyards, and send the steward down below for my sword and pistols.