We had just sailed through the heat of the tropics, and having been ill for more than three weeks, and of course weak and easily perturbed, the firing of the gun sent me directly into the cabin; but, through Master Charlie, I learned that in about ten minutes after I had left the deck, the steamer, which proved to be the _Florida_,--a pirate, officered and manned by the rebels of the Southern States,--came round our stern to the port side, and when within two ship’s lengths of us ran up the rebel Confederate flag,--taking down the “stars and stripes,”--and hailed us. On being answered, and told whither we were bound, we were ordered to strike our colors; and no answer being returned, nor any movement made to carry the order into execution, there came a second and more peremptory summons, with which Captain Frisbee complied, and our colors were struck! The steamer, meanwhile, made a circuit once or twice around us for purposes of observation, very much in the same way that a cat toys with a mouse, after having made sure of her victim. Having no efficient armament, we were powerless; yet she did not raise the rebel flag until she had us broadside under her guns,--a circumstance which indicated, as clearly as anything could, the conscious guilt of these pirates, and their extreme care lest they should be caught in some trap, thus getting their retribution somewhat in advance of their calculations. The pirate captain then sent a boat alongside, with a prize-master; who, accosting Captain Frisbie, exclaimed--“You are my prize.” The captain replied--“But this is English property.” “I can’t help that,” rejoined the prize-master; “I must obey my orders.” Captain Frisbie then said--“Is this the way you take English property on the high seas?” “Yes, sir!” was the reply; “Lord John Russell has recently said that if English subjects put their property in United States vessels, they must look for pay to the Confederate Government.” The prize-master then told Captain Frisbie that he must prepare to go on board the steamer, while he took possession of the ship; and on being asked what was to be done with the passengers and crew, the officer said they were also to be taken on board, but that all private property should be saved, and after taking what they wished from the _Jacob Bell_, they should burn her. There being no appeal from this _ex cathedra_ decision, or rather doom, our captain went below and directly made preparations to leave. In a few minutes after this another boat coming from the _Florida_, in charge of one of their doctors, our crew were immediately taken on board, and we were only allowed the time taken for their transshipment,--which could not have exceeded half an hour,--to gather up a few things and get ready to follow.