another shot came.  Then they insisted on fighting, and said “if I would not help them, I was no friend.”  I reluctantly acquiesced, and handed up the guns—­commenced firing upon them and they upon us.  We received several shot through the sails, but no one was hurt on either side.  Our boats had been cast adrift to make us go the faster, and we gained upon them—­continued firing until they turned from us, and went for our boats, which they took in tow for the brig.  Soon after this, it became calm:  then I saw that the brig had us in her power.—­She manned and armed two more boats for us.  We now concluded, since we had scarcely any ammunition, to surrender; and were towed down along-side the brig on board, and were asked by the captain, who could speak English, “what for you fire on the boat?” I told him “we thought her a pirate, and did not like to be taken by them again, having already suffered too much;” showing my papers.  He said, “Captain Americana, never mind, go and take some dinner—­which are your men?” I pointed them out to him, and he ordered them the liberty of the decks; but my friend Nickola and his three associates were immediately put in irons.  They were, however, afterwards taken out of irons and examined; and I understood the Frenchmen agreed to enlist, as they judged it the surest way to better their condition.  Whether Nickola enlisted, I do not know, but think that he did, as I understood that offer was made to him:  I however endeavored to explain more distinctly to the captain, the benevolent efforts of these four men by whom my life had been saved, and used every argument in my power to procure their discharge.  I also applied to the governor, and exerted myself with peculiar interest, dictated as I trust with heartfelt gratitude—­and I ardently hope ere this, that Nickola is on his way to this country, where I may have an opportunity of convincing him that such an act of benevolence will not go unrewarded.  Previous to my leaving Trinidad, I made all the arrangements in my power with my influential friends, and doubt not, that their laudable efforts will be accomplished.—­The sloop’s cargo was then taken on board the brig; after which the captain requested a certificate that I was politely treated by him, saying that his name was Captain Candama, of the privateer brig Prudentee of eighteen guns.  This request I complied with.  His first lieutenant told me he had sailed out of Boston, as commander for T.C.  Amory, Esq. during the last war.  In the course of the evening my friends were taken out of irons and examined separately, then put back again.  The captain invited me to supper in his cabin, and a berth for the night, which was truly acceptable.  The next morning after breakfast, I with my people were set on shore with the few things we had, with the promise of the Exertion’s small boat in a day or two,—­but it was never sent me—­the reason, let the reader imagine.  On landing at the wharf Casildar, we were immediately