During this time the big schooner was hove-to quite close to us. Presently some of the crew went aft, and a long gig was lowered from the schooner's quarter, and a set of as ugly-looking ruffians as I ever cast eyes on got into her, and pulled towards us.  From the specimen we had witnessed of their conduct, we could only expect to be cut down and thrown overboard as soon as they stepped on deck.  The least unattractive was a man, apparently an officer, who sat in the stern-sheets.  As he got near I could not help examining his countenance.  He was a mulatto, with handsome, regular features.  I felt certain that I had seen him before, and not long ago.  He had on his head a large broad-brimmed straw hat, a gaily-coloured handkerchief, and a waistcoat of red silk, while his jacket was of the finest material. He wore a sash round his waist, and a dagger and a brace of silver-mounted pistols stuck into it.  When he came alongside, he sprang lightly on to the deck of the schooner, and looked about him.