As darkness settled down on the ocean, we could just see the vessel ahead.  We kept on in her wake.  As we much outsailed her, we quickly stole up after her, till we could make out the dark figures of her crew, as they stood on her deck, wondering, probably, what we could be.  Not a shot was fired--no words were exchanged between the two vessels. "Perhaps the large vessel is prepared for the strife," I thought to myself.  "If so, the pirates may again find that they have caught a tartar; still, it is strange that no one on board takes notice of us." We were still following in the wake of the stranger, but rapidly overhauling her.  Jerry and I remained on deck to see what would happen. We had got close up on her quarter.  Our helm was put to port, and this placed us on a line which enabled us to run up alongside.  Not till our bows were almost up to the stranger's quarter did any one hail us.