noon
The tears filled my eyes as I prayed for forgiveness of my past sins , and for strength to support me through the coming trial . The brig was tumbling about on the almost calm sea , with all sails furled , except the topgallantsail , which by some chance had broken adrift , and the crew , not excepting the look-out man , were all asleep , when all at once the report of a gun came booming over the water . The sound acted like magic upon the slumbering crew -- they were on the alert in a moment -- the sails were set with wonderful quickness -- the sweeps were manned , and the little schooner rippling through the water . Next morning we had distanced the stranger considerably , and the pirate was in great hopes of escaping ; but the breeze freshened , and before noon the frigate , for such she proved to be , had gained so much upon us , that her shot began to tell upon us . I was now hurried below , and a sentry was placed over me ; the captain ordering him to blow my brains out if I attempted to escape , and adding , ` I 'll settle his account by and by . ' It was with impatience almost amounting to agony that I listened to the strange medley of sounds which reached my ear -- the creaking of the sweeps , the curses and shouts of our crew cheering each other at their work , the loud report of our guns , and the more faint and distant sound of those of the frigate ; and I prayed for deliverance -- prayed that some lucky ball might find its way into the cabin , and put an end to my suspense and to my miseries at once . At last the sound of the sweeps ceased .