a small schooner was seen in-shore of us.  As we had not steerage way upon our craft, of course it would be impossible to ascertain her character before dark; it was, therefore, determined by our commander to board her with the boats, under cover of the night.  This was a dangerous service; but there was no backing out.  Volunteers being called for, I stepped forward; and very soon, a sufficient number of men to man two boats offered their services to back me.  Every disposition was made for the attack.  The men were strongly armed, oars muffled, and a grappling placed in each boat.  The bearings of the strange sail were taken, and night came on perfectly clear and cloudless.  I took command of the expedition, the second lieutenant having charge of one boat.  The arrangement was to keep close together, until we got sight of the vessel; the second lieutenant was to board on the bow, and I on the quarter.  We proceeded in the most profound silence; nothing was heard, save now and then a slight splash of the oars in the water, and, before we obtained sight of the vessel, I had sufficient time to reflect on this most perilous enterprise.

My reflections were not of the most pleasant character, and I found myself inwardly shrinking, when I was aroused by the voice of the bowman saying, “There she is, sir, two points on the starboard bow.”  There she lay, sure enough, with every sail hoisted, and a light was plainly seen, as we supposed, from her deck, it being too high for her cabin windows.  We now held a consultation, and saw no good reason to change the disposition of the attack, except that we agreed to board simultaneously.  It may be well to observe here, that any number of men on a vessel’s deck, in the night, have double the advantage to repel boarders, because they may secrete themselves in such a position as to fall upon an enemy unawares, and thereby cut them off, with little difficulty.  Being fully aware of this, I ordered the men, as soon as we had gained the deck of the schooner, to proceed with great caution, and keep close together, till every hazard of the enterprize was ascertained.  The boats now separated, and pulled for their respective stations, observing the most profound silence.  When we had reached within a few yards of the schooner, we lay upon our oars for some moments; but could neither hear nor see any thing.  We then pulled away cheerily, and the next minute were under her counter, and grappled to her; every man leaped on the deck without opposition.  The other boat boarded nearly at the same moment, and we proceeded, in a body, with great caution, to examine the decks.  A large fire was in the caboose, and we soon ascertained that her deck was entirely deserted, and that she neither had any boat on deck nor to her stern.  We then proceeded to examine the cabin, leaving an armed force on deck.  The cabin, like the deck, being deserted, the mystery was easily unraveled.  Probably concluding that we should board them under cover of the night, they, no doubt, as soon as it was dark, took to their boats, and deserted the vessel.  On the floor of the cabin was a part of an English ensign, and some papers, which showed that she belonged to Jamaica, The little cargo on board consisted of Jamaica rum, sugar, fruit, &c.