He was soon again on board.  "Make sail," he said with a calm smile; "the corvette and we are going in search of a rascally pirate, which has committed all sorts of atrocities.  I wonder whether we shall find her." The joke seemed to tickle the fancies of all on deck, for a quiet chuckle was heard on every side.  "Keep the rest of the people below," he said to Silva; "it might surprise the crew of the man-of-war to see so many ugly fellows on board a quiet trader."  The order was strictly obeyed.  A few only of the crew appeared on deck, and they were soon seen employed in the usual occupations of a merchantman.  The wind was light, so the schooner began leisurely to set sail after sail, till every stitch of canvas she could carry was spread.  The corvette did the same, and both vessels were soon going along under a cloud of canvas. The schooner, we saw, had the advantage.  Gradually we were increasing our distance from the man-of-war.  Captain Bruno chuckled audibly. Still, at times, he cast an anxious look astern.