one displayed strong indications of intemperance. On the hencoop, by the captain’s side, lay a long-barrelled pistol; the fellow to it was grasped in his right hand, and with the rolling eye of intoxication he first glanced at the instrument of death, and then at the poor wretch who sat with an unmoved countenance on the gunwale. ‘You are just come in time, sir,’ said the captain, ‘to witness an act of justice; for I guess, though you have got the British bunting[14] at the peak, you come from the land of the stripes and stars.[15] But you shall see, sir, how cleverly I’ll put a brace of balls through that mutinous rascal.’ He raised the pistol to a level with his eye; his fore-finger was on the trigger, when I hastily struck it up with my hand, and the bullets whistled over the negro’s head without doing him any injury. But he had experienced only cruelty from white men; he had expected death, and could not suppose that one of the fair-skinned race would rescue him from the fate of his companion. As soon as he heard the report of the pistol, he fell forward on his face; but my boat’s crew ran, and saved him from going overboard. ‘What is the meaning of all this?’ said I, ‘thou disgrace to manhood. I am a British officer, and to me you shall be accountable for your demoniac conduct. What has that poor creature done? and these too on the deck? Release them my men,’ and my boat’s crew had soon broken off their fetters. [14] Bunting is the stuff of which flags are made. [15] The captain thought the vessel was in the service of the United States, their colours being striped red and white, except the upper quarter next the staff, which is blue, and bears as many stars as there are states in the Union. “The negro, whom I had saved from the murderous intention of the captain, could not exactly comprehend the scene; but when he found that he was safe and knew me for his deliverer, he clung round my knees--ay, just as the fellow did to-night, for it was no other than Davy himself. But I can’t think what brings him here to England away from the pretty hut, and the cocoa-nut trees, and the guinea grass.” “But what became of the little black children, grandpapa?” inquired I, “and the other four men, and the wicked captain? and where did you take Davy to? and--”