"Ay, ay, sir!" As the approaching vessel drew nearer, the crew of the Betsy Allen sent up a cheer from their united voices which, to their great joy, was answered from the strange sail. "Ahoy, where away?" "Three points on your weather bow--starboard your helm, and you'll be on us." "Ay, ay." In a very short time the shipwrecked crew stood on the deck of the privateer Raker, which, attracted by the light of their burning brig, had varied somewhat from its course, to render assistance if any were needed. Captain Greene and his men soon became acquainted with the history of the crew of the lost brig, and every attention was shown to them. Captain Horton gave them a brief account of the pirate's assault, and the abduction of Julia. "O Captain Greene, save my child, if possible. She is my only one," exclaimed Mr. Williams. "Which way did she steer, Captain Horton?" "She went off right before the wind, sir, and is not three hours ahead of us." "Mr. Williams I will immediately give chase, and God grant that I may overtake the scoundrels." "A father's thanks shall be yours, sir." "Never mind that--you had all better turn in; I will steer the same course with the pirate till morning, sir; and if he is then in sight, I think he is ours--for there are few things afloat that can outsail the Raker." The crew of the Betsy Allen, whose anxiety and exertions during the last few hours had been excessive, gladly accepted the captain's offer, and were soon snoring in their hammocks. Captain Horton and Mr. Williams remained on the deck of the Raker, the one too anxious for revenge upon the pirate who had destroyed his brig, to sleep, and the other too much afflicted by the loss of his daughter, and the painful thoughts which it engendered, to think of any thing but her speedy recovery. The long night at length wore away, and with the first beams of the morning sun the mists rolled heavily upward from the ocean. To the great joy of all on board the Raker, the pirate-brig was in sight, though beyond the 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.