vessel were also killed. Both vessels, too, were much injured. The pirate captain was among the first who

fell.

The trading vessel continued to resist, until but three of those on board remained. One was the captain, another a sailor before the mast, and the third a gentleman passenger, while only two of the invaders remained alive. By this time, the ammunition of the merchantman was exhausted. During the scene of confusion and slaughter, two of the pirates were accidentally knocked overboard; and, as their comrades at the time were too much engaged to assist them, were drowned. It would seem as if Providence thus kindly interposed in behalf of the merchantman.

By this time, the two vessels had approached along side each other, and the captain of the trading ship resolutely determined to board the other. Frederic was one of the pirates remaining on board. The captain, in attempting to board their shattered bark, was furiously resisted. Frederic was foremost in striving to prevent his doing so, and with surprising agility managed to evade his brave opposers, and jump on board their vessel. His companion instantly followed his example. Frederic seized the captain, and his comrade gave the sailor a blow which laid him prostrate upon the deck, then in an instant sprang towards the passenger, who had just left the cabin. He raised his hand, which grasped an instrument of death, with which he was about to assail him, when Frederick cried out, imploringly,

Stop, comrade! spare that man!' while his hold instantly relaxed, which he had until that moment retained of the captain: his arm seemed paralyzed.

'Frederic Jefford,' said the passenger in a mild tone, approaching him and gazing earnestly at the face of the ruffian, do I behold thee? can I credit the evidence of my senses, that I now see before me the son of my much loved friend?-behold him, too, the worst of robbers, his hands yet reeking with the blood of his innocent victims?'

'Mr. Hammond, the gentleman, paused. The astonished young man spoke not. His companion in guilt, too, seemed overawed, and for a moment all were silent.

The dignified passenger had known Frederic, from his birth until the time he clandestinely left his home. From that time until he saw him jump upon the deck of the merchantman, he had known nothing concerning him. Notwithstanding he was aware that Frederick had been a reckless youth, and knew, too, under what circumstances he had left his native place, his astonishment was exceedingly great on finding him thus abandoned.

The surprise of Frederic, on beholding Mr. Hammond, exceeded if possible that of this individual, on seeing him. In a moment, a multitude of tender recollections, associated with the remembrance of this gentleman, crowded at once into his mind, and overwhelmed his spirit. He had ever been wont to regard Mr. Hammond with a feeling of reverence and affection. He knew that his father had loved him as an own dear brother; and that after the death of that parent, this gentleman and his family had most tenderly sympathized with his mother in her affliction. He knew too, that Mr. Hammond had ever felt a lively interest in her welfare and that of her children. Besides all this, he was a near and dear relative of Mr.

Hilton, whom, notwithstanding the degradation of his own mind, he still respected.

After this Providential interview with his friend, Frederic made no further effort to take possession of the vessel; and his companion, finding he would be alone if he attempted further resistance, surrendered also.

The blow which the sailor had received from the ruffian who felled him to the deck, was not fatal; he soon recovered from its effect and arose. The captain, with the assistance of this man, immediately made prisoners of Frederic and his associate in crime.

After putting the vessel into as favorable a condition as they could under the circumstances, they pursued their way to the nearest port, and not long after arrived in this country.

During the remainder of the voyage Mr. Hammond conversed much with the prisoners, as he felt deeply interested for both, particularly so for Frederic; and he was encouraged to trust that the prayers of his mother for her son, had been heard and answered. The heart of the long hardened young man was touched with tenderness, whenever the name of his mother was mentioned; and with a feeling of gratitude he informed this friend of the disinterested kindness of Mr. Hilton towards him.

'O,' said Frederic, with deep feeling, 'had I not been so awfully perverse, I should have been effectually won to the path of peace and virtue by his great kindness; but I have proved most ungrateful. When my eye first rested upon your well-remembered countenance,' continued the humbled individual, as you strongly resembled Mr. Hil

ton I was in a moment reminded of the debt of gratitude due him from me. That, with the reflection of your past friendship, and my cruelty to my mother and Myra, was what overpowered me. As if directly held by the arm of Omnipotence, I was unable to make further effort. I thank God,' added he, that He thus arrested me in my awful career of guilt.'

6

In view of the fact that his life had been forfeited by his crimes, and that justice required him to expiate them by submitting to the infliction of the penalty which the law demanded, he said, 'I deserve to die an ignominious death; but I must,' added he, 'be tried for my crimes under a name assumed when I first embarked in the atrocious enterprise, which I feel has ended with me better than it began.'

Frederic said, several times, when speaking of his mother, 'I have already caused her too much pain, she must not know my end; better will it be for her to remain ignorant of my fate.'

Soon after the vessel arrived in one of our southern ports, Frederic and his associate were tried for the awful crime of piracy, after a confinement of only a few days. As was expected, they were found guilty and sentenced to die upon the scaffold.

After Frederic was remanded to prison, to await his doom, Mr. Hammond revisited the place where he was confined, for the purpose of seeing him. He had much conversation with him, and after listening to his confessions, witnessing his apparent humility, he could not but trust that almighty grace had subdued his once stubborn heart.

Frederic desired that his example might be a warning to other young men who possessed dispositions like his own.

He expressed a feeling of regret that he could not pen a farewell letter to his mother and sister without overwhelming them with sorrow.

Would,' said he, that they could know the self-abhorrence I feel on reviewing my past life, and the joy I experience in realizing that Jesus died for the very vilest of sinners. But they must not know it now; they will learn it hereafter, when the knowledge of it will not cause them pain.'

It is believed that this repentant man continued in this interesting frame of mind until his execution took place. Mr. Hammond was careful not to relate to Mrs. Jefford all the circumstances which occurred during his voyage from Europe, upon which he met her son, lest he should betray his knowledge of the mad career and disgraceful end of the unhappy son and brother.

But these dreadful truths were not to remain long a secret to her. Mr. Hammond very naturally related the thrilling circumstances connected with his voyage to several of his friends, whom he felt confident would not mention the subject to the mother of Frederic.

On one occasion, a juvenile member of a family he was visiting, heard this affecting relation, and without realizing that it was wrong to do so, unthinkingly stated the facts in the presence of a person through whose means the heart-rending intelligence was soon conveyed to the afflicted mother. When she heard the abrupt, unfeeling expression made, that the real name of one of the pirates lately executed was said to be Frederic Jefford, her feelings were overpowered, and she immediately fainted.