The Last of the Pirates;

OR,

DOOM DRIVEN.
A Romance of the End of Ocean Outlawry.*

Bv C.9L. Prentiss Ingraham, Author of " Merle the Mutineer," &c, &c.
THE BUCCANEER.
' Sail ho!' The cry came from aloft, on a small schooner-of-war flying the flag of the United States. A fleet craft, for she went swiftly through the waters under a light spread of canvas. She was also a very hand some vessel, and all about her was in perfect ship-shape condition. She was well armed, and her guns shone like gold, while every rope was in its place. The crew were neatly dressed, and the officers were in full uniform, and a handsome, dashing-looking set. At the cry from aloft, the senior lieutenant turned his glass upon the stranger, which had just come into view running out of an inlet upon the Florida coast.
He saw a schooner, perhaps a little larger than his own, and also armed. She carried no flag, and had evidently not yet seen the vessel-ofwar coming down the coast. ' It is Bassil the Buccaneer, as sure as I live ! Call Captain Randolph on deck, Midshipman Chandler,' cried the lieutenant.
His words created a stir among the officers, and also among the men who heard his order, and at once all was deepest interest on board the schooner.
The middy soon returned from the cabin, and, saluting politely, said : ' Captain's coming, sir!'

A moment after a man of striking appearance came on deck. He was tall, of dignified bearing, and possessed a face that was stern in the extreme.
