Towards nightfall we sighted a sail on the larboard bow, and made in its direction; but darkness came on before we had got within signaling-distance. As well as we could make out she was a fishing-schooner, and, if so, would be of no great value as a prize, though of sufficient consequence to be taken and sent to port, provided, of course, she was British in nationality. The next morning the sail was nowhere to be seen. She had changed her course in the night, and disappeared, but whether through any fear of us or not we were unable to say. Soon after breakfast Haines came aft, and reported to me that several of the prisoners were ready to swear allegiance to the American flag, and wanted to be allowed to go to work with the crew, instead of being confined below. That they should prefer the deck to the hold was no more than natural, and I told Haines to bring them aft and I would talk with them. "There are ten or twelve of them, sir," said Haines; "shall I bring them all at once?" "No," I answered; "you may bring four of them: they will be enough for the present." In due time Haines came with four of the prisoners. I had my suspicions concerning them, but endeavored to appear utterly unsuspecting as I questioned them. CHAPTER XVI. A CONSPIRACY, AND HOW IT WAS DEFEATED.--ANOTHER PRIZE.--VIEWS ON PRIVATEERING.--A CARTEL.--IN THE JAWS OF A BRITISH MAN-OF-WAR. The reasons that the men gave for wishing to swear allegiance to the American flag and be released from confinement in the hold were simple and plausible enough. They wanted to become American citizens, had intended to do so at the first opportunity, and now that there was war between the two countries, they would like a chance for prize-money. It struck me as a little odd that they were all Englishmen; had there been an Irishman or two among them it would have been less suspicious, as a goodly portion of the inhabitants of the Emerald Isle entertained feelings for the British flag which were anything but respectful. But the four were English; and so, according to Haines, were all the others who had manifested their willingness to throw off British allegiance, become citizens of the new republic of the Western world, and take up arms against the country of their birth. I told them I would consider their proposal, and let them know later in the day. Meanwhile, they were to give Haines a list of such as were willing to join them in becoming Americans, and he would report it to me.