第3章

AfterCaptainManlyhadsoshakensomewitsintopoorBarnabyhe，unhappywretch，wenttohiscabin，ashewasbiddentodo，andthere，shuttingthedooruponhimself，andflinginghimselfdown，alldressedashewas，uponhisberth，yieldedhimselfovertotheprofoundestpassionofhumiliationanddespair。

TherehelayforIknownothowlong，staringintothedarkness，untilbyandby，inspiteofhissufferingandhisdespair，hedozedoffintoaloosesleep，thatwasmorelikewakingthansleep，beingpossessedcontinuallybythemostvividanddistastefuldreams，fromwhichhewouldawakenonlytodozeoffandtodreamagain。

Itwasfromthemidstofoneoftheseextravagantdreamsthathewassuddenlyarousedbythenoiseofapistolshot，andthenthenoiseofanotherandanother，andthenagreatbumpandagrindingjar，andthenthesoundofmanyfootstepsrunningacrossthedeckanddownintothegreatcabin。Thencameatremendousuproarofvoicesinthegreatcabin，thestrugglingasofmen’sbodiesbeingtossedabout，strikingviolentlyagainstthepartitionsandbulkheads。Atthesameinstantaroseascreamingofwomen’svoices，andonevoice，andthatSirJohnMalyoe’s，cryingoutasinthegreatestextremity:”Youvillains！Youdamnedvillains！”andwiththesuddendetonationofapistolfiredintotheclosespaceofthegreatcabin。

Barnabywasoutinthemiddleofhiscabininamoment，andtakingonlytimeenoughtosnatchdownoneofthepistolsthathungattheheadofhisberth，flungoutintothegreatcabin，tofinditasblackasnight，thelanternslungtherehavingbeeneitherblownoutordashedoutintodarkness。Theprodigiouslydarkspacewasfullofuproar，thehubbubandconfusionpiercedthroughandthroughbythatkeensoundofwomen’svoicesscreaming，oneinthecabinandtheotherinthestateroombeyond。AlmostimmediatelyBarnabypitchedheadlongovertwoorthreestrugglingmenscufflingtogetheruponthedeck，fallingwithagreatclatterandthelossofhispistol，which，however，heregainedalmostimmediately。

Whatalltheuproarmeanthecouldnottell，buthepresentlyheardCaptainManly’svoicefromsomewheresuddenlycallingout，”Youbloodypirate，wouldyouchokemetodeath？”wherewithsomenotionofwhathadhappenedcametohimlikeadash，andthattheyhadbeenattackedinthenightbypirates。

Lookingtowardthecompanionway，hesaw，outlinedagainstthedarknessofthenightwithout，theblackerformofaman’sfigure，standingstillandmotionlessasastatueinthemidstofallthishubbub，andsobysomeinstinctheknewinamomentthatthatmustbethemastermakerofallthisdevil’sbrew。

Therewith，stillkneelinguponthedeck，hecoveredthebosomofthatshadowyfigurepointblank，ashethought，withhispistol，andinstantlypulledthetrigger。

Intheflashofredlight，andintheinstantstunningreportofthepistolshot，Barnabysaw，asstampedupontheblackness，abroad，flatfacewithfishyeyes，alean，bonyforeheadwithwhatappearedtobeagreatblotchofbloodupontheside，acockedhattrimmedwithgoldlace，aredscarfacrossthebreast，andthegleamofbrassbuttons。Thenthedarkness，verythickandblack，swallowedeverythingagain。

ButintheinstantSirJohnMalyoecalledout，inagreatloudvoice:”MyGod！’TisWilliamBrand！”Therewithcamethesoundofsomeonefallingheavilydown。

Thenextmoment，Barnaby’ssightcomingbacktohimagaininthedarkness，hebeheldthatdarkandmotionlessfigurestillstandingexactlywhereithadstoodbefore，andsokneweitherthathehadmisseditorelsethatitwasofsosupernaturalasortthataleadenbulletmightdoitnoharm。ThoughifitwasindeedanapparitionthatBarnabybeheldinthatmoment，thereisthistosay，thathesawitasplainaseverhesawalivingmaninallofhislife。

Thiswasthelastourheroknew，forthenextmomentsomebody——whetherbyaccidentordesignheneverknew——struckhimsuchaterribleviolentblowuponthesideoftheheadthathesawfortythousandstarsflashbeforehiseyeballs，andthen，withagreathumminginhishead，swooneddeadaway。

WhenBarnabyTruecamebacktohissensesagainitwastofindhimselfbeingcaredforwithgreatskillandnicety，hisheadbathedwithcoldwater，andabandagebeingboundaboutitascarefullyasthoughachirurgeonwasattendingtohim。

Hecouldnotimmediatelyrecallwhathadhappenedtohim，noruntilhehadopenedhiseyestofindhimselfinastrangecabin，extremelywellfittedandpaintedwithwhiteandgold，thelightofalanternshininginhiseyes，togetherwiththegrayoftheearlydaylightthroughthedead-eye。Twomenwerebendingoverhim——one，anegroinastripedshirt，withayellowhandkerchiefaroundhisheadandsilverearringsinhisears；theother，awhiteman，cladinastrangeoutlandishdressofaforeignmake，andwithgreatmustachioshangingdown，andwithgoldearringsinhisears。

ItwasthelatterwhowasattendingtoBarnaby’shurtwithsuchextremecareandgentleness。

AllthisBarnabysawwithhisfirstclearconsciousnessafterhisswoon。Thenrememberingwhathadbefallenhim，andhisheadbeatingasthoughitwouldsplitasunder，heshuthiseyesagain，contrivingwithgreatefforttokeephimselffromgroaningaloud，andwonderingastowhatsortofpiratesthesecouldbewhowouldfirstknockamanintheheadsoterribleablowasthatwhichhehadsuffered，andthentakesuchcaretofetchhimbacktolifeagain，andtomakehimeasyandcomfortable。

Nordidheopenhiseyesagain，butlaytheregatheringhiswitstogetherandwonderingthusuntilthebandagewasproperlytiedabouthisheadandsewedtogether。Thenoncemoreheopenedhiseyes，andlookeduptoaskwherehewas。

Eithertheywhowereattendingtohimdidnotchoosetoreply，orelsetheycouldnotspeakEnglish，fortheymadenoanswer，exceptingbysigns；forthewhiteman，seeingthathewasnowabletospeak，andsowascomebackintohissensesagain，noddedhisheadthreeorfourtimes，andsmiledwithagrinofhiswhiteteeth，andthenpointed，asthoughtowardasaloonbeyond。Atthesametimethenegroheldupourhero’scoatandbeckonedforhimtoputiton，sothatBarnaby，seeingthatitwasrequiredofhimtomeetsomeonewithout，arose，thoughwithagooddealofeffort，andpermittedthenegrotohelphimonwithhiscoat，stillfeelingmightilydizzyanduncertainuponhislegs，hisheadbeatingfittosplit，andthevesselrollingandpitchingatagreatrate，asthoughuponaheavygroundswell。

So，stillsickanddizzy，hewentoutintowhatwasindeedafinesaloonbeyond，paintedinwhiteandgiltlikethecabinhehadjustquitted，andfittedinthenicestfashion，amahoganytable，polishedverybright，extendingthelengthoftheroom，andaquantityofbottles，togetherwithglassesofclearcrystal，arrangedinahangingrackabove。

Hereatthetableamanwassittingwithhisbacktoourhero，cladinaroughpea-jacket，andwitharedhandkerchieftiedaroundhisthroat，hisfeetstretchedoutbeforehim，andhesmokingapipeoftobaccowithalltheeaseandcomfortintheworld。

AsBarnabycameinheturnedround，and，totheprofoundastonishmentofourhero，presentedtowardhiminthelightofthelantern，thedawnshiningprettystrongthroughtheskylight，thefaceofthatverymanwhohadconductedthemysteriousexpeditionthatnightacrossKingstonHarbortotheRioCobraRiver。

ThismanlookedsteadilyatBarnabyTrueforamomentortwo，andthenburstoutlaughing；and，indeed，Barnaby，standingtherewiththebandageabouthishead，musthavelookedaverydrollpictureofthatastonishmenthefeltsoprofoundlyatfindingwhowasthispirateintowhosehandshehadfallen。”Well，”saystheother，”andsoyoubeupatlast，andnogreatharmdone，I’llbebound。Andhowdoesyourheadfeelbynow，myyoungmaster？”

TothisBarnabymadenoreply，but，whatwithwonderandthedizzinessofhishead，seatedhimselfatthetableoveragainstthespeaker，whopushedabottleofrumtowardhim，togetherwithaglassfromtheswingingshelfabove。

HewatchedBarnabyfillhisglass，andsosoonashehaddonesobeganimmediatelybysaying:”Idosupposeyouthinkyouweretreatedmightilyilltobesohandledlastnight。Well，soyouweretreatedillenough——thoughwhohityouthatcrackupontheheadIknownomorethanachildunborn。Well，Iamsorryforthewayyouwerehandled，butthereisthismuchtosay，andofthatyoumaybelieveme，thatnothingwasmeanttoyoubutkindness，andbeforeyouarethroughwithusallyouwillbelievethatwellenough。”

Herehehelpedhimselftoatasteofgrog，andsuckinginhislips，wentonagainwithwhathehadtosay。”Doyouremember，”

saidhe，”thatexpeditionofoursinKingstonHarbor，andhowwewereallofusbalkedthatnight？””Why，yes，”saidBarnabyTrue，”noramIlikelytoforgetit。””AnddoyourememberwhatIsaidtothatvillain，JackMalyoe，thatnightashisboatwentbyus？””Astothat，”saidBarnabyTrue，”IdonotknowthatIcansayyesorno，butifyouwilltellme，Iwillmaybeansweryouinkind。””Why，Imeanthis，”saidtheother。”Isaidthatthevillainhadgotthebetterofusonceagain，butthatnexttimeitwouldbeourturn，evenifWilliamBrandhimselfhadtocomebackfromhelltoputthebusinessthrough。””Iremembersomethingofthesort，”saidBarnaby，”nowthatyouspeakofit，butstillIamallinthedarkastowhatyouaredrivingat。”

Theotherlookedathimverycunninglyforalittlewhile，hisheadononeside，andhiseyeshalfshut。Then，asifsatisfied，hesuddenlyburstoutlaughing。”Lookhither，”saidhe，”andI’llshowyousomething，”andtherewith，movingtooneside，disclosedacoupleoftravelingcasesorsmalltrunkswithbrassstuds，soexactlylikethosethatSirJohnMalyoehadfetchedaboardatJamaicathatBarnaby，puttingthisandthattogether，knewthattheymustbethesame。

Ourherohadastrongenoughsuspicionastowhatthosetwocasescontained，andhissuspicionshadbecomeacertaintywhenhesawSirJohnMalyoestruckallwhiteatbeingthreatenedaboutthem，andhisfaceloweringsomalevolentlyastolookmurderhadhedareddoit。But，Lord！whatweresuspicionsorevencertaintytowhatBarnabyTrue’stwoeyesbeheldwhenthatmanliftedthelidsofthetwocases——thelocksthereofhavingalreadybeenforced——and，flingingbackfirstonelidandthentheother，displayedtoBarnaby’sastonishedsightagreattreasureofgoldandsilver！Mostofittiedupinleathernbags，tobesure，butmanyofthecoins，bigandlittle，yellowandwhite，lyinglooseandscatteredaboutlikesomanybeans，brimmingthecasestotheverytop。

Barnabysatdumb-struckatwhathebeheld；astowhetherhebreathedorno，Icannottell；butthisIknow，thathesatstaringatthatmarveloustreasurelikeamaninatrance，until，afterafewsecondsofthisgoldendisplay，theotherbangeddownthelidsagainandburstoutlaughing，whereuponhecamebacktohimselfwithajump。”Well，andwhatdoyouthinkofthat？”saidtheother。”Isitnotenoughforamantoturnpiratefor？But，”hecontinued，”itisnotforthesakeofshowingyouthisthatIhavebeenwaitingforyouheresolongawhile，buttotellyouthatyouarenottheonlypassengeraboard，butthatthereisanother，whomIamtoconfidetoyourcareandattention，accordingtoordersIhavereceived；so，ifyouareready，MasterBarnaby，I’llfetchherindirectly。”Hewaitedforamoment，asthoughforBarnabytospeak，butourheronotreplying，hearoseand，puttingawaythebottleofrumandtheglasses，crossedthesaloontoadoorlikethatfromwhichBarnabyhadcomealittlewhilebefore。Thisheopened，andafteramoment’sdelayandafewwordsspokentosomeonewithin，usheredthenceayounglady，whocameoutveryslowlyintothesaloonwhereBarnabystillsatatthetable。

ItwasMissMarjorieMalyoe，verywhite，andlookingasthoughstunnedorbewilderedbyallthathadbefallenher。

BarnabyTruecouldnevertellwhethertheamazingstrangevoyagethatfollowedwasoflongorofshortduration；whetheritoccupiedthreedaysortendays。Forconceive，ifyouchoose，twopeopleoffleshandbloodmovingandlivingcontinuallyinallthecircumstancesandsurroundingsasofanightmaredream，yettheytwosohappytogetherthatalltheuniversebesidewasofnomomenttothem！Howwasanyonetotellwhetherinsuchcircumstancesanytimeappearedtobelongorshort？Doesadreamappeartobelongortobeshort？

Thevesselinwhichtheysailedwasabrigantineofgoodsizeandbuild，butmannedbyaconsiderablecrew，themoststrangeandoutlandishintheirappearancethatBarnabyhadeverbeheld——somewhite，someyellow，someblack，andalltrickedoutwithgaycolors，andgoldearringsintheirears，andsomewithgreatlongmustachios，andotherswithhandkerchiefstiedaroundtheirheads，andalltalkingalanguagetogetherofwhichBarnabyTruecouldunderstandnotasingleword，butwhichmighthavebeenPortuguesefromoneortwophraseshecaught。Nordidthisstrange，mysteriouscrew，ofGodknowswhatsortofmen，seemtopayanyattentionwhatevertoBarnabyortotheyounglady。Theymightnowandthenhavelookedathimandheroutofthecornersoftheiryelloweyes，butthatwasall；otherwisetheywereindeedlikethecreaturesofanightmaredream。OnlyhewhowasthecaptainofthisoutlandishcrewwouldmaybespeaktoBarnabyafewwordsastotheweatherorwhatnotwhenhewouldcomedownintothesaloontomixaglassofgrogortolightapipeoftobacco，andthentogoondeckagainabouthisbusiness。

Otherwiseourheroandtheyoungladywerelefttothemselves，todoastheypleased，withnoonetointerferewiththem。

Asforher，sheatnotimeshowedanygreatsignofterrororoffear，onlyforalittlewhilewassingularlynumbandquiet，asthoughdazedwithwhathadhappenedtoher。Indeed，methinksthatwildbeast，hergrandfather，hadsocrushedherspiritbyhistyrannyandhisviolencethatnothingthathappenedtohermightseemsharpandkeen，asitdoestoothersofanordinarysort。

Butthiswasonlyatfirst，forafterwardherfacebegantogrowsingularlyclear，aswithawhitelight，andshewouldsitquitestill，permittingBarnabytogaze，Iknownothowlong，intohereyes，herfacesotransfiguredandherlipssmiling，andthey，asitwere，neitherofthembreathing，buthearing，asinanotherfar-distantplace，theoutlandishjargonofthecrewtalkingtogetherinthewarm，brightsunlight，orthesoundofcreakingblockandtackleastheyhauleduponthesheets。

Isit，then，anywonderthatBarnabyTruecouldneverrememberwhethersuchavoyageasthiswaslongorshort？

Itwasasthoughtheymighthavesailedsouponthatwonderfulvoyageforever。YoumayguesshowamazedwasBarnabyTruewhen，comingupondeckonemorning，hefoundthebrigantineridinguponanevenkeel，atanchoroffStatenIsland，asmallvillageontheshore，andthewell-knownroofsandchimneysofNewYorktowninplainsightacrossthewater。

’Twasthelastplaceintheworldhehadexpectedtosee。

And，indeed，itdidseemstrangetolietherealongsideStatenIslandallthatday，withNewYorktownsonighathandandyetsoimpossibletoreach。Forwhetherhedesiredtoescapeorno，BarnabyTruecouldnotbutobservethatbothheandtheyoungladyweresocloselywatchedthattheymightaswellhavebeenprisoners，tiedhandandfootandlaidinthehold，sofarasanyhopeofgettingawaywasconcerned。

Allthatdaytherewasadealofmysteriouscomingandgoingaboardthebrigantine，andintheafternoonasailboatwentuptothetown，carryingthecaptain，andagreatloadcoveredoverwithatarpaulininthestern。WhatwassotakenuptothetownBarnabydidnotthenguess，buttheboatdidnotreturnagaintillaboutsundown。

Forthesunwasjustdroppingbelowthewaterwhenthecaptaincameaboardoncemoreand，findingBarnabyondeck，badehimcomedownintothesaloon，wheretheyfoundtheyoungladysitting，thebroadlightoftheeveningshininginthroughtheskylight，andmakingitallprettybrightwithin。

ThecaptaincommandedBarnabytobeseated，forhehadsomethingofmomenttosaytohim；whereupon，assoonasBarnabyhadtakenhisplacealongsidetheyounglady，hebeganveryseriously，withaprefacesomewhatthus:”Thoughyoumaythinkmethecaptainofthisbrigantine，younggentleman，Iamnotreallyso，butamunderorders，andsohaveonlycarriedoutthoseordersofasuperiorinallthesethingsthatIhavedone。”Havingsobegun，hewentontosaythattherewasonethingyetremainingforhimtodo，andthatthegreatestthingofall。HesaidthatBarnabyandtheyoungladyhadnotbeenfetchedawayfromtheBelleHelenastheywerebyanymerechanceofaccident，butthat’twasallaplanlaidbyaheadwiserthanhis，andcarriedoutbyonewhomhemustobeyinallthings。HesaidthathehopedthatbothBarnabyandtheyoungladywouldperformwillinglywhattheywouldbenowcalledupontodo，butthatwhethertheydiditwillinglyorno，theymust，forthatthoseweretheordersofonewhowasnottobedisobeyed。

Youmayguesshowourheroheldhisbreathatallthis；butwhatevermighthavebeenhisexpectations，theverywildestofthemalldidnotreachtothatwhichwasdemandedofhim。”Myordersarethese，”saidtheother，continuing:”Iamtotakeyouandtheyoungladyashore，andtoseethatyouaremarriedbeforeIquityou；andtothatendaverygood，decent，honestministerwholivesashoreyonderinthevillagewaschosenandhathbeenspokentoandisnow，nodoubt，waitingforyoutocome。Sucharemyorders，andthisisthelastthingIamsettodo；sonowI

willleaveyoualonetogetherforfiveminutestotalkitover，butbequickaboutit，forwhetherwillingornot，thisthingmustbedone。”

Thereuponhewentaway，ashehadpromised，leavingthosetwoalonetogether，Barnabylikeoneturnedintostone，andtheyounglady，herfaceturnedaway，flamingasredasfireinthefadinglight。

NorcanItellwhatBarnabysaidtoher，norwhatwordsheused，butonly，allinatumult，withneitherbeginningnorendhetoldherthatGodknewhelovedher，andthatwithallhisheartandsoul，andthattherewasnothinginalltheworldforhimbuther；but，nevertheless，ifshewouldnothaveitashadbeenordered，andifshewerenotwillingtomarryhimasshewasbiddentodo，hewouldratherdiethanlendhimselftoforcinghertodosuchathingagainstherwill。Nevertheless，hetoldhershemustspeakupandtellhimyesorno，andthatGodknewhewouldgivealltheworldifshewouldsay”yes。”

Allthisandmorehesaidinsuchatumultofwordsthattherewasnoorderintheirspeaking，andshesittingthere，herbosomrisingandfallingasthoughherbreathstifledher。NormayI

tellwhatsherepliedtohim，onlythis，thatshesaidshewouldmarryhim。Atthishetookherintohisarmsandsethislipstohers，hisheartallmeltingawayinhisbosom。

Sopresentlycamethecaptainbackintothesaloonagain，tofindBarnabysittingthereholdingherhand，shewithherfaceturnedaway，andhisheartbeatinglikeatriphammer，andsosawthatallwassettledashewouldhaveit。Wherewithhewishedthembothjoy，andgaveBarnabyhishand。

Theyawlboatbelongingtothebrigantinewasreadyandwaitingalongsidewhentheycameupondeck，andimmediatelytheydescendedtoitandtooktheirseats。Sotheylanded，andinalittlewhilewerewalkingupthevillagestreetinthedarkness，sheclingingtohisarmasthoughshewouldswoon，andthecaptainofthebrigantineandtwoothermenfromaboardfollowingafterthem。Andsototheminister’shouse，findinghimwaitingforthem，smokinghispipeinthewarmevening，andwalkingupanddowninfrontofhisowndoor。Heimmediatelyconductedthemintothehouse，where，hiswifehavingfetchedacandle，andtwoothersofthevillagefolkbeingpresent，thegoodmanhavingaskedseveralquestionsastotheirnamesandtheirageandwheretheywerefrom，theceremonywasperformed，andthecertificatedulysignedbythosepresent——exceptingthemenwhohadcomeashorefromthebrigantine，andwhorefusedtosettheirhandstoanypaper。

Thesamesailboatthathadtakenthecaptainuptothetownintheafternoonwaswaitingforthematthelandingplace，whence，thecaptain，havingwishedthemGodspeed，andhavingshakenBarnabyveryheartilybythehand，theypushedoff，and，comingabout，ranawaywiththeslantofthewind，droppingtheshoreandthosestrangebeingsalikebehindthemintothenight。

Astheyspedawaythroughthedarknesstheycouldhearthecreakingofthesailsbeinghoistedaboardofthebrigantine，andsoknewthatshewasabouttoputtoseaoncemore。NordidBarnabyTrueeverseteyesuponthosebeingsagain，nordidanyoneelsethatIeverheardtellof。

ItwasnighmidnightwhentheymadeMr。Hartright’swharfatthefootofWallStreet，andsothestreetswerealldarkandsilentanddesertedastheywalkeduptoBarnaby’shome。

YoumayconceiveofthewonderandamazementofBarnaby’sdearstepfatherwhen，cladinadressinggownandcarryingalightedcandleinhishand，heunlockedandunbarredthedoor，andsosawwhoitwashadarousedhimatsuchanhourofthenight，andtheyoungandbeautifulladywhomBarnabyhadfetchedwithhim。

ThefirstthoughtofthegoodmanwasthattheBelleHelenhadcomeintoport；nordidBarnabyundeceivehimasheledthewayintothehouse，butwaiteduntiltheywereallsafeandsoundinprivilytogetherbeforeheshouldunfoldhisstrangeandwonderfulstory。”Thiswasleftforyoubytwoforeignsailorsthisafternoon，Barnaby，”thegoodoldmansaid，asheledthewaythroughthehall，holdingupthecandleatthesametime，sothatBarnabymightseeanobjectthatstoodagainstthewainscotingbythedoorofthediningroom。

NorcouldBarnabyrefrainfromcryingoutwithamazementwhenhesawthatitwasoneofthetwochestsoftreasurethatSirJohnMalyoehadfetchedfromJamaica，andwhichthepirateshadtakenfromtheBelleHelen。AsforMr。Hartright，heguessednomorewhatwasinitthanthemaninthemoon。

ThenextdaybutonebroughttheBelleHelenherselfintoport，withtheterriblenewsnotonlyofhavingbeenattackedatnightbypirates，butalsothatSirJohnMalyoewasdead。Forwhetheritwasthesuddenshockofthesightofhisoldcaptain’sface——whomhehimselfhadmurderedandthoughtdeadandburied——flashingsooutagainstthedarkness，orwhetheritwasthestrainofpassionthatoversethisbrains，certainitisthatwhenthepirateslefttheBelleHelen，carryingwiththemtheyoungladyandBarnabyandthetravelingtrunks，thoseleftaboardtheBelleHelenfoundSirJohnMalyoelyinginafituponthefloor，frothingatthemouthandblackintheface，asthoughhehadbeenchoked，andsotookhimawaytohisberth，where，thenextmorningaboutteno’clock，hedied，withoutoncehavingopenedhiseyesorspokenasingleword。

Asforthevillainmanservant，nooneeversawhimafterward；

thoughwhetherhejumpedoverboard，orwhetherthepirateswhosoattackedtheshiphadcarriedhimawaybodily，whoshallsay？

Mr。Hartright，afterhehadheardBarnaby’sstory，hadbeenveryuncertainastotheownershipofthechestoftreasurethathadbeenleftbythosemenforBarnaby，butthenewsofthedeathofSirJohnMalyoemadethematterveryeasyforhimtodecide。ForsurelyifthattreasuredidnotbelongtoBarnaby，therecouldbenodoubtthatitmustbelongtohiswife，shebeingSirJohnMalyoe’slegalheir。Andsoitwasthatthatgreatfortune(inactualcomputationamountingtoupwardofsixty-threethousandpounds)cametoBarnabyTrue，thegrandsonofthatfamouspirate，WilliamBrand；theEnglishestateinDevonshire，indefaultofmaleissueofSirJohnMalyoe，descendedtoCaptainMalyoe，whomtheyoungladywastohavemarried。

Asfortheothercaseoftreasure，itwasneverheardofagain，norcouldBarnabyeverguesswhetheritwasdividedasbootyamongthepirates，orwhethertheyhadcarrieditawaywiththemtosomestrangeandforeignland，theretoshareitamongthemselves。

Andsotheendingofthestory，withonlythistoobserve，thatwhetherthatstrangeappearanceofCaptainBrand’sfacebythelightofthepistolwasaghostlyandspiritualappearance，orwhetherhewaspresentinfleshandblood，thereisonlytosaythathewasneverheardofagain；norhadheeverbeenheardoftillthattimesincethedayhewassoshotfrombehindbyCapt。

JohnMalyoeonthebanksoftheRioCobraRiverintheyear1733。

III

WITHTHEBUCCANEERS

BeinganAccountofCertainAdventuresthatBefellHenryMostynUnderCapt。H。MorganintheYear1665-66

ALTHOUGHthisnarrationhasmoreparticularlytodowiththetakingoftheSpanishviceadmiralintheharborofPortoBello，andoftherescuetherefromofLeSieurSimon，hiswifeanddaughter(theadventureofwhichwassuccessfullyachievedbyCaptainMorgan，thefamousbuccaneer)，weshall，nevertheless，premisesomethingoftheearlierhistoryofMasterHarryMostyn，whomyoumay，ifyouplease，considerastheherooftheseveralcircumstancesrecountedinthesepages。

Intheyear1664ourhero’sfatherembarkedfromPortsmouth，inEngland，fortheBarbados，whereheownedaconsiderablesugarplantation。ThithertothosepartsofAmericahetransportedwithhimselfhiswholefamily，ofwhomourMasterHarrywasthefifthofeightchildren——agreatlustyfellowaslittlefittedfortheChurch(forwhichhewasdesigned)ascouldbe。Atthetimeofthisstory，thoughnotabovesixteenyearsold，MasterHarryMostynwasasbigandwell-grownasmanyamanoftwenty，andofsucharecklessanddare-devilspiritthatnoadventurewastoodangerousortoomischievousforhimtoembarkupon。

AtthistimetherewasadealoftalkinthosepartsoftheAmericasconcerningCaptainMorgan，andtheprodigioussuccesseshewashavingpiratingagainsttheSpaniards。

ThismanhadoncebeenanindenturedservantwithMr。Rolls，asugarfactorattheBarbados。Havingservedouthistime，andbeingoflawlessdisposition，possessingalsoaprodigiousappetiteforadventure，hejoinedwithothersofhiskidney，and，purchasingacaravelofthreeguns，embarkedfairlyuponthatcareerofpiracythemostsuccessfulthateverwasheardofintheworld。

MasterHarryhadknownthismanverywellwhilehewasstillwithMr。Rolls，servingasaclerkatthatgentleman’ssugarwharf，atall，broad-shouldered，strappingfellow，withredcheeks，andthickredlips，androllingblueeyes，andhairasredasanychestnut。Manyknewhimforabold，gruff-spokenman，butnooneatthattimesuspectedthathehaditinhimtobecomesofamousandrenownedasheafterwardgrewtobe。

Thefameofhisexploitshadbeenthetalkofthosepartsforaboveatwelvemonth，when，inthelatterpartoftheyear1665，CaptainMorgan，havingmadeaverysuccessfulexpeditionagainsttheSpaniardsintotheGulfofCampeche——wherehetookseveralimportantpurchasesfromtheplatefleet——cametotheBarbados，theretofitoutanothersuchventure，andtoenlistrecruits。

Heandcertainotheradventurershadpurchasedavesselofsomefivehundredtons，whichtheyproposedtoconvertintoapiratebycuttingportholesforcannon，andrunningthreeorfourcarronadesacrosshermaindeck。Thenameofthisship，beitmentioned，wastheGoodSamaritan，asill-fittinganameascouldbeforsuchacraft，which，insteadofbeingdesignedforthehealingofwounds，wasintendedtoinflictsuchdevastationasthosewickedmenproposed。

Herewasapieceofmischiefexactlyfittedtoourhero’stastes；

wherefore，havingmadeupabundleofclothes，andwithnotaboveashillinginhispocket，hemadeanexcursionintothetowntoseekforCaptainMorgan。Therehefoundthegreatpirateestablishedatanordinary，withalittlecourtofragamuffinsandswashbucklersgatheredabouthim，alltalkingveryloud，anddrinkinghealthsinrawrumasthoughitweresugaredwater。

Andwhatafinefigureourbuccaneerhadgrown，tobesure！Howdifferentfromthepoor，humbleclerkuponthesugarwharf！Whatadealofgoldbraid！Whatafine，silver-hilledSpanishsword！

Whatagayvelvetsling，hungwiththreesilver-mountedpistols！

IfMasterHarry’smindhadnotbeenmadeupbefore，tobesuresuchaspectacleofglorywouldhavedeterminedit。

Thisfigureofwarourheroaskedtostepasidewithhim，andwhentheyhadcomeintoacorner，proposedtotheotherwhatheintended，andthathehadamindtoenlistasagentlemanadventureruponthisexpedition。Uponthisourrogueofabuccaneercaptainburstouta-laughing，andfetchingMasterHarryagreatthumpupontheback，sworeroundlythathewouldmakeamanofhim，andthatitwasapitytomakeaparsonoutofsogoodapieceofstuff。

NorwasCaptainMorganlessgoodthanhisword，forwhentheGoodSamaritansetsailwithafavoringwindfortheislandofJamaica，MasterHarryfoundhimselfestablishedasoneoftheadventurersaboard。

II

CouldyoubuthaveseenthetownofPortRoyalasitappearedintheyear1665youwouldhavebeheldasightverywellworthwhilelookingupon。Therewerenofinehousesatthattime，andnogreatcountinghousesbuiltofbrick，suchasyoumayfindnowadays，butacrowdofboardandwattledhutshuddledalongthestreets，andallsogaywithflagsandbitsofcolorthatVanityFairitselfcouldnothavebeengayer。Tothisplacecameallthepiratesandbuccaneersthatinfestedthoseparts，andmenshoutedandsworeandgambled，andpouredoutmoneylikewater，andthenmaybewounduptheirmerrymakingbydyingoffever。Fortheskyinthesetorridlatitudesisallfullofcloudsoverhead，andashotasanyblanket，andwhenthesunshoneforthitstreameddownuponthesmokingsandssothatthehouseswereovensandthestreetswerefurnaces；soitwaslittlewonderthatmendiedlikeratsinahole。Butlittletheyappearedtocareforthat；sothateverywhereyoumightbeholdamultitudeofpaintedwomenandJewsandmerchantsandpirates，gaudywithredscarfsandgoldbraidandallsortsofoddsandendsoffoolishfinery，allfightingandgamblingandbarteringforthatill-gottentreasureofthebe-robbedSpaniard。

Here，arriving，CaptainMorganfoundaheartywelcome，andamessagefromthegovernorawaitinghim，themessagebiddinghimattendHisExcellencyupontheearliestoccasionthatoffered。

Whereupon，takingourhero(ofwhomhehadgrownprodigiouslyfond)alongwithhim，ourpiratewent，withoutanylossoftime，tovisitSirThomasModiford，whowasthentheroyalgovernorofallthisdevil’sbrewofwickedness。

TheyfoundHisExcellencyseatedinagreateasy-chair，undertheshadowofaslattedveranda，thefloorwhereofwaspavedwithbrick。Hewasclad，forthesakeofcoolness，onlyinhisshirt，breeches，andstockings，andheworeslippersonhisfeet。Hewassmokingagreatcigarrooftobacco，andagobletoflimejuiceandwaterandrumstoodathiselbowonatable。Here，outoftheglareoftheheat，itwasallverycoolandpleasant，withaseabreezeblowingviolentlyinthroughtheslats，settingthema-rattlingnowandthen，andstirringSirThomas’slonghair，whichhehadpushedbackforthesakeofcoolness。

Thepurportofthisinterview，Imaytellyou，concernedtherescueofoneLeSieurSimon，who，togetherwithhiswifeanddaughter，washeldcaptivebytheSpaniards。

Thisgentlemanadventurer(LeSieurSimon)had，afewyearsbefore，beensetupbythebuccaneersasgovernoroftheislandofSantaCatharina。Thisplace，thoughwellfortifiedbytheSpaniards，thebuccaneershadseizedupon，establishingthemselvesthereon，andsoinfestingthecommerceofthoseseasthatnoSpanishfleetwassafefromthem。AtlasttheSpaniards，nolongerabletoenduretheseassaultsagainsttheircommerce，sentagreatforceagainstthefreebooterstodrivethemoutoftheirislandstronghold。Thistheydid，retakingSantaCatharina，togetherwithitsgovernor，hiswife，anddaughter，aswellasthewholegarrisonofbuccaneers。

Thisgarrisonwassentbytheirconquerors，sometothegalleys，sometothemines，sometonomanknowswhere。Thegovernorhimself——LeSieurSimon——wastobesenttoSpain，theretostandhistrialforpiracy。

Thenewsofallthis，Imaytellyou，hadonlyjustbeenreceivedinJamaica，havingbeenbroughtthitherbyaSpanishcaptain，oneDonRoderiguezSylvia，whowas，besides，thebearerofdispatchestotheSpanishauthoritiesrelatingthewholeaffair。

Such，infine，wasthepurportofthisinterview，andasourheroandhiscaptainwalkedbacktogetherfromthegovernor’shousetotheordinarywheretheyhadtakenuptheirinn，thebuccaneerassuredhiscompanionthathepurposedtoobtainthosedispatchesfromtheSpanishcaptainthatveryafternoon，evenifhehadtouseforcetoseizethem。

Allthis，youaretounderstand，wasundertakenonlybecauseofthefriendshipthatthegovernorandCaptainMorganentertainedforLeSieurSimon。And，indeed，itwaswonderfulhowhonestandhowfaithfulwerethesewickedmenintheirdealingswithoneanother。ForyoumustknowthatGovernorModifordandLeSieurSimonandthebuccaneerswereallofonekidney——alltakingashareinthepiraciesofthosetimes，andallholdingbyoneanotherasthoughtheywerethehonestestmenintheworld。HenceitwastheywereallsodeterminedtorescueLeSieurSimonfromtheSpaniards。

III

Havingreachedhisordinaryafterhisinterviewwiththegovernor，CaptainMorganfoundthereanumberofhiscompanions，suchasusuallygatheredatthatplacetobeinattendanceuponhim——some，thosebelongingtotheGoodSamaritan；others，thosewhohopedtoobtainbenefitsfromhim；others，thoseragamuffinswhogatheredaroundhimbecausehewasfamous，andbecauseitpleasedthemtobeofhiscourtandtobecalledhisfollowers。

Fornearlyalwaysyoursuccessfulpiratehadsuchalittlecourtsurroundinghim。

Findingadozenormoreoftheserascalsgatheredthere，CaptainMorganinformedthemofhispresentpurposethathewasgoingtofindtheSpanishcaptaintodemandhispapersofhim，andcallinguponthemtoaccompanyhim。

Withthisfollowingathisheels，ourbuccaneerstartedoffdownthestreet，hislieutenant，aCornishmannamedBartholomewDavis，upononehandandourheroupontheother。SotheyparadedthestreetsforthebestpartofanhourbeforetheyfoundtheSpanishcaptain。ForwhetherhehadgotwindthatCaptainMorganwassearchingforhim，orwhether，findinghimselfinaplacesofullofhisenemies，hehadburiedhimselfinsomeplaceofhiding，itiscertainthatthebuccaneershadtraversedprettynearlythewholetownbeforetheydiscoveredthathewaslyingatacertainaubergekeptbyaPortugueseJew。Thithertheywent，andthitherCaptainMorganenteredwiththeutmostcoolnessandcomposureofdemeanor，hisfollowerscrowdingnoisilyinathisheels。

Thespacewithinwasverydark，beinglightedonlybythedoorwayandbytwolargeslattedwindowsoropeningsinthefront。

Inthisdark，hotplacenotover-roomyatthebest——weregatheredtwelveorfifteenvillainous-appearingmen，sittingattablesanddrinkingtogether，waiteduponbytheJewandhiswife。OurherohadnotroubleindiscoveringwhichofthislotofmenwasCaptainSylvia，fornotonlydidCaptainMorgandirecthisglancefullofwaruponhim，buttheSpaniardwascladwithmoreparticularityandwithmoreshowoffinerythananyoftheotherswhowerethere。

HimCaptainMorganapproachedanddemandedhispapers，whereuntotheotherrepliedwithsuchajabberofSpanishandEnglishthatnomancouldhaveunderstoodwhathesaid。TothisCaptainMorganinturnrepliedthathemusthavethosepapers，nomatterwhatitmightcosthimtoobtainthem，andthereupondrewapistolfromhisslingandpresenteditattheother’shead。

Atthisthreateningactiontheinnkeeper’swifefella-screaming，andtheJew，asinafrenzy，besoughtthemnottotearthehousedownabouthisears。

Ourherocouldhardlytellwhatfollowed，onlythatallofasuddentherewasaprodigiousuproarofcombat。knivesflashedeverywhere，andthenapistolwasfiredsoclosetohisheadthathestoodlikeonestunned，hearingsomeonecryingoutinaloudvoice，butnotknowingwhetheritwasafriendorafoewhohadbeenshot。ThenanotherpistolshotsodeafenedwhatwasleftofMasterHarry’shearingthathisearsrangforaboveanhourafterward。Bythistimethewholeplacewasfullofgunpowdersmoke，andtherewasthesoundofblowsandoathsandoutcryingandtheclashingofknives。

AsMasterHarry，whohadnogreatstomachforsuchacombat，andnoveryparticularinterestinthequarrel，wasmakingforthedoor，alittlePortuguese，aswitheredandasnimbleasanape，cameduckingunderthetableandplungedathisstomachwithagreatlongknife，which，haditeffecteditsobject，wouldsurelyhaveendedhisadventuresthenandthere。Findinghimselfinsuchdanger，MasterHarrysnatchedupaheavychair，and，flingingitathisenemy，whowaspreparingforanotherattack，hefairlyranforitoutofthedoor，expectingeveryinstanttofeelthethrustofthebladebetwixthisribs。

Aconsiderablecrowdhadgatheredoutside，andothers，hearingtheuproar，werecomingrunningtojointhem。Withtheseourherostood，tremblinglikealeaf，andwithcoldchillsrunningupanddownhisbacklikewateratthenarrowescapefromthedangerthathadthreatenedhim。

Norshallyouthinkhimacoward，foryoumustrememberhewashardlysixteenyearsoldatthetime，andthatthiswasthefirstaffairofthesorthehadencountered。Afterward，asyoushalllearn，heshowedthathecouldexhibitcourageenoughatapinch。

Whilehestoodthere，endeavoringtorecoverhiscomposure，thewhilethetumultcontinuedwithin，suddenlytwomencamerunningalmosttogetheroutofthedoor，acrowdofthecombatantsattheirheels。ThefirstofthesemenwasCaptainSylvia；theother，whowaspursuinghim，wasCaptainMorgan。

Asthecrowdaboutthedoorpartedbeforethesuddenappearingofthese，theSpanishcaptain，perceiving，ashesupposed，awayofescapeopenedtohim，dartedacrossthestreetwithincredibleswiftnesstowardanalleywayupontheotherside。Uponthis，seeinghispreyliketogetawayfromhim，CaptainMorgansnatchedapistoloutofhissling，andrestingitforaninstantacrosshisarm，firedattheflyingSpaniard，andthatwithsotrueanaimthat，thoughthestreetwasnowfullofpeople，theotherwenttumblingoverandoverallofaheapinthekennel，wherehelay，afteratwitchortwo，asstillasalog。

Atthesoundoftheshotandthefallofthemanthecrowdscattereduponallsides，yellingandscreaming，andthestreetbeingthusprettyclear，CaptainMorganranacrossthewaytowherehisvictimlay，hissmokingpistolstillinhishand，andourherofollowingcloseathisheels。

OurpoorHarryhadneverbeforebeheldamankilledthusinaninstantwhoamomentbeforehadbeensofulloflifeandactivity，forwhenCaptainMorganturnedthebodyoveruponitsbackhecouldperceiveataglance，littleasheknewofsuchmatters，thatthemanwasstone-dead。And，indeed，itwasadreadfulsightforhimwhowashardlymorethanachild。Hestoodrootedforheknewnothowlong，staringdownatthedeadfacewithtwitchingfingersandshudderinglimbs。Meantimeagreatcrowdwasgatheringaboutthemagain。AsforCaptainMorgan，hewentabouthisworkwiththeutmostcoolnessanddeliberationimaginable，unbuttoningthewaistcoatandtheshirtofthemanhehadmurderedwithfingersthatneithertwitchednorshook。Therewereagoldcrossandabunchofsilvermedalshungbyawhipcordabouttheneckofthedeadman。ThisCaptainMorganbrokeawaywithasnap，reachingthejinglingbaublestoHarry，whotooktheminhisnervelesshandandfingersthathecouldhardlycloseuponwhattheyheld。

ThepapersCaptainMorganfoundinawalletinaninnerbreastpocketoftheSpaniard’swaistcoat。Theseheexaminedonebyone，andfindingthemtohissatisfaction，tiedthemupagain，andslippedthewalletanditscontentsintohisownpocket。

ThenforthefirsttimeheappearedtoobserveMasterHarry，who，indeed，musthavebeenstanding，theperfectpictureofhorroranddismay。Whereupon，burstingouta-laughing，andslippingthepistolhehadusedbackintoitsslingagain，hefetchedpoorHarryagreatslapupontheback，biddinghimbeaman，forthathewouldseemanysuchsightsasthis。

Butindeed，itwasnolaughingmatterforpoorMasterHarry，foritwasmanyadaybeforehisimaginationcouldriditselfoftheimageofthedeadSpaniard’sface；andashewalkedawaydownthestreetwithhiscompanions，leavingthecrowdbehindthem，andthedeadbodywhereitlayforitsfriendstolookafter，hisearshummingandringingfromthedeafeningnoiseofthepistolshotsfiredinthecloseroom，andthesweattricklingdownhisfaceindrops，heknewnotwhetherallthathadpassedhadbeenreal，orwhetheritwasadreamfromwhichhemightpresentlyawaken。

IV

ThepapersCaptainMorganhadthusseizeduponasthefruitofthemurderhehadcommittedmusthavebeenasperfectlysatisfactorytohimascouldbe，forhavingpaidasecondvisitthateveningtoGovernorModiford，thepirateliftedanchorthenextmorningandmadesailtowardtheGulfofDarien。There，aftercruisingaboutinthosewatersforaboutafortnightwithoutfallinginwithavesselofanysort，attheendofthattimetheyoverhauledacaravelboundfromPortoBellotoCartagena，whichvesseltheytook，andfindingherloadedwithnothingbetterthanrawhides，scuttledandsankher，beingthenabouttwentyleaguesfromthemainofCartagena。FromthecaptainofthisvesseltheylearnedthattheplatefleetwasthenlyingintheharborofPortoBello，notyethavingsetsailthence，butwaitingforthechangeofthewindsbeforeembarkingforSpain。Besidesthis，whichwasagooddealmoretotheirpurpose，theSpaniardstoldthepiratesthattheSieurSimon，hiswife，anddaughterwereconfinedaboardtheviceadmiralofthatfleet，andthatthenameoftheviceadmiralwastheSantaMariayValladolid。

SosoonasCaptainMorganhadobtainedtheinformationhedesiredhedirectedhiscoursestraightfortheBayofSantoBlaso，wherehemightliesafelywithinthecapeofthatnamewithoutanydangerofdiscovery(thatpartofthemainlandbeingentirelyuninhabited)andyetbewithintwentyortwenty-fiveleaguesofPortoBello。

Havingcomesafelytothisanchorage，heatoncedeclaredhisintentionstohiscompanions，whichwereasfollows:

ThatitwasentirelyimpossibleforthemtohopetosailtheirvesselintotheharborofPortoBello，andtoattacktheSpanishviceadmiralwherehelayinthemidstofthearmedflota；

wherefore，ifanythingwastobeaccomplished，itmustbeundertakenbysomesubtledesignratherthanbyopen-handedboldness。Havingsoprefacedwhathehadtosay，henowdeclaredthatitwashispurposetotakeoneoftheship’sboatsandtogointhattoPortoBello，trustingforsomeopportunitytooccurtoaidhimeitherintheaccomplishmentofhisaimsorinthegainingofsomefurtherinformation。Havingthusdeliveredhimself，heinvitedanywhodaredtodosotovolunteerfortheexpedition，tellingthemplainlythathewouldconstrainnomantogoagainsthiswill，forthatatbestitwasadesperateenterprise，possessingonlytherecommendationthatinitsachievementthefewwhoundertookitwouldgaingreatrenown，andperhapsaveryconsiderablebooty。

Andsuchwastheincredibleinfluenceofthisboldmanoverhiscompanions，andsuchwastheirconfidenceinhisskillandcunning，thatnotaboveadozenofallthoseaboardhungbackfromtheundertaking，butnearlyeverymandesiredtobetaken。

OfthesevolunteersCaptainMorganchosetwenty——amongothersourMasterHarry——andhavingarrangedwithhislieutenantthatifnothingwasheardfromtheexpeditionattheendofthreedaysheshouldsailforJamaicatoawaitnews，heembarkeduponthatenterprise，which，thoughneverheretoforepublished，wasperhapstheboldestandthemostdesperateofallthosethathavesincemadehisnamesofamous。Forwhatcouldbeamoreunparalleledundertakingthanforalittleopenboat，containingbuttwentymen，toentertheharborofthethirdstrongestfortressoftheSpanishmainlandwiththeintentionofcuttingouttheSpanishviceadmiralfromthemidstofawholefleetofpowerfullyarmedvessels，andhowmanymeninalltheworlddoyousupposewouldventuresuchathing？

Butthereisthistobesaidofthatgreatbuccaneer:thatifheundertookenterprisessodesperateasthis，heyetlaidhisplanssowellthattheyneverwentaltogetheramiss。Moreover，theverydesperationofhissuccesseswasofsuchanaturethatnomancouldsuspectthathewoulddaretoundertakesuchthings，andaccordinglyhisenemieswereneverpreparedtoguardagainsthisattacks。Aye，hadhebutworntheking’scolorsandservedundertherulesofhonestwar，hemighthavebecomeasgreatandasrenownedasAdmiralBlakehimself。

Butallthatisneitherherenorthere；whatIhavetotellyounowisthatCaptainMorganinthisopenboatwithhistwentymatesreachedtheCapeofSalmedinatowardthefallofday。

Arrivingwithinviewoftheharbortheydiscoveredtheplatefleetatanchor，withtwomen-of-warandanarmedgalleyridingasaguardatthemouthoftheharbor，scarcehalfaleaguedistantfromtheotherships。Havingspiedthefleetinthisposture，thepiratespresentlypulleddowntheirsailsandrowedalongthecoast，feigningtobeaSpanishvesselfromNombredeDios。Sohuggingtheshore，theycameboldlywithintheharbor，upontheoppositesideofwhichyoumightseethefortressaconsiderabledistanceaway。

Beingnowcomesoneartotheconsummationoftheiradventure，CaptainMorganrequiredeverymantomakeanoathtostandbyhimtothelast，whereuntoourherosworeasheartilyasanymanaboard，althoughhisheart，Imustneedsconfess，wasbeatingatagreatrateattheapproachofwhatwastohappen。Havingthusreceivedtheoathsofallhisfollowers，CaptainMorgancommandedthesurgeonoftheexpeditionthat，whentheorderwasgiven，he，themedico，wastoboresixholesintheboat，sothat，itsinkingunderthem，theymightallbecompelledtopushforward，withnochanceofretreat。Andsuchwastheascendancyofthismanoverhisfollowers，andsuchwastheiraweofhim，thatnotoneofthemutteredevensomuchasamurmur，thoughwhathehadcommandedthesurgeontodopledgedthemeithertovictoryortodeath，withnochancetochoosebetween。Nordidthesurgeonquestiontheordershehadreceived，muchlessdidhedreamofdisobeyingthem。

Bynowithadfallenprettydusk，whereupon，spyingtwofishermeninacanoeatalittledistance，CaptainMorgandemandedoftheminSpanishwhichvesselofthoseatanchorintheharborwastheviceadmiral，forthathehaddispatchesforthecaptainthereof。

Whereuponthefishermen，suspectingnothing，pointedtothemagalleonofgreatsizeridingatanchornothalfaleaguedistant。

Towardthisvesselaccordinglythepiratesdirectedtheircourse，andwhentheyhadcomeprettynigh，CaptainMorgancalleduponthesurgeonthatnowitwastimeforhimtoperformthedutythathadbeenlaiduponhim。Whereupontheotherdidashewasordered，andthatsothoroughlythatthewaterpresentlycamegushingintotheboatingreatstreams，whereatallhandspulledforthegalleonasthougheverynextmomentwastobetheirlast。

Andwhatdoyousupposewereourhero’semotionsatthistime？

Likeallintheboat，hisaweofCaptainMorganwassogreatthatIdobelievehewouldratherhavegonetothebottomthanhavequestionedhiscommand，evenwhenitwastoscuttletheboat。

Nevertheless，whenhefeltthecoldwatergushingabouthisfeet(forhehadtakenoffhisshoesandstockings)hebecamepossessedwithsuchafearofbeingdrownedthateventheSpanishgalleonhadnoterrorsforhimifhecouldonlyfeelthesolidplanksthereofbeneathhisfeet。

Indeed，allthecrewappearedtobepossessedofalikedismay，fortheypulledattheoarswithsuchanincredibleforcethattheywereunderthequarterofthegalleonbeforetheboatwashalffilledwithwater。

Here，astheyapproached，itthenbeingprettydarkandthemoonnotyethavingrisen，thewatchuponthedeckhailedthem，whereuponCaptainMorgancalledoutinSpanishthathewasCapt。

AlvarezMendazo，andthathebroughtdispatchesfortheviceadmiral。

Butatthatmoment，theboatbeingnowsofullofwaterastobelogged，itsuddenlytiltedupononesideasthoughtosinkbeneaththem，whereuponallhands，withoutfurtherorders，wentscramblinguptheside，asnimbleassomanymonkeys，eacharmedwithapistolinonehandandacutlassintheother，andsowereupondeckbeforethewatchcouldcollecthiswitstoutteranyoutcryortogiveanyotheralarmthantocryout，”Jesublessus！whoarethese？”atwhichwordssomebodyknockedhimdownwiththebuttofapistol，thoughwhoitwasourherocouldnottellinthedarknessandthehurry。

Beforeanyofthoseupondeckcouldrecoverfromtheiralarmorthosefrombelowcomeupupondeck，apartofthepirates，underthecarpenterandthesurgeon，hadruntothegunroomandhadtakenpossessionofthearms，whileCaptainMorgan，withMasterHarryandaPortuguesecalledMurilloBraziliano，hadflownwiththespeedofthewindintothegreatcabin。

HeretheyfoundthecaptainoftheviceadmiralplayingatcardswiththeSieurSimonandafriend，MadamSimonandherdaughterbeingpresent。

CaptainMorganinstantlysethispistolatthebreastoftheSpanishcaptain，swearingwithamosthorriblefiercecountenancethatifhespakeawordormadeanyoutcryhewasadeadman。Asforourhero，havingnowgothishandintothegame，heperformedthesameservicefortheSpaniard’sfriend，declaringhewouldshoothimdeadifheopenedhislipsorliftedsomuchasasinglefinger。

Allthiswhiletheladies，notcomprehendingwhathadoccurred，hadsatasmuteasstones；butnowhavingsofarrecoveredthemselvesastofindavoice，theyoungerofthetwofelltoscreaming，atwhichtheSieurSimoncalledouttohertobestill，forthesewerefriendswhohadcometohelpthem，andnotenemieswhohadcometoharmthem。

Allthis，youaretounderstand，occupiedonlyalittlewhile，forinlessthanaminutethreeorfourofthepirateshadcomeintothecabin，who，togetherwiththePortuguese，proceededatoncetobindthetwoSpaniardshandandfoot，andtogagthem。

Thisbeingdonetoourbuccaneer’ssatisfaction，andtheSpanishcaptainbeingstretchedoutinthecornerofthecabin，heinstantlyclearedhiscountenanceofitsterrors，andburstingforthintoagreatloudlaugh，clappedhishandtotheSieurSimon’s，whichhewrungwiththebestwillintheworld。Havingdonethis，andbeinginafinehumorafterthishisfirstsuccess，heturnedtothetwoladies。”Andthis，ladies，”saidhe，takingourherobythehandandpresentinghim，”isayounggentlemanwhohasembarkedwithmetolearnthetradeofpiracy。

Irecommendhimtoyourpoliteness。”

ThinkwhataconfusionthisthrewourMasterHarryinto，tobesure，whoathisbestwasnevereasyinthecompanyofstrangeladies！YoumaysupposewhatmusthavebeenhisemotionstofindhimselfthusintroducedtotheattentionofMadamSimonandherdaughter，beingatthetimeinhisbarefeet，cladonlyinhisshirtandbreeches，andwithnohatuponhishead，apistolinonehandandacutlassintheother。However，hewasnotleftforlongtohisembarrassments，foralmostimmediatelyafterhehadthusfarrelaxed，CaptainMorganfellofasuddenseriousagain，andbiddingtheSieurSimontogethisladiesawayintosomeplaceofsafety，forthemosthazardouspartofthisadventurewasyettooccur，hequittedthecabinwithMasterHarryandtheotherpirates(foryoumaycallhimapiratenow)

athisheels。

Havingcomeupondeck，ourherobeheldthatapartoftheSpanishcrewwerehuddledforwardinaflocklikesomanysheep(theothersbeingcrowdedbelowwiththehatchesfasteneduponthem)，andsuchwastheterrorofthepirates，andsodreadfulthenameofHenryMorgan，thatnotoneofthosepoorwretchesdaredtoliftuphisvoicetogiveanyalarm，noreventoattemptanescapebyjumpingoverboard。

AtCaptainMorgan’sorders，thesemen，togetherwithcertainofhisowncompany，rannimblyaloftandbegansettingthesails，which，thenightnowhavingfallenprettythick，wasnotforagoodwhileobservedbyanyofthevesselsridingatanchoraboutthem。

Indeed，thepiratesmighthavemadegoodtheirescape，withatmostonlyashotortwofromthemen-of-war，haditnotthenbeenaboutthefullofthemoon，which，havingarisen，presentlydiscoveredtothoseofthefleetthatlayclosestaboutthemwhatwasbeingdoneaboardtheviceadmiral。

Atthisoneofthevesselshailedthem，andthenafterawhile，havingnoreply，hailedthemagain。EventhentheSpaniardsmightnotimmediatelyhavesuspectedanythingwasamissbutonlythattheviceadmiralforsomereasonbestknowntohimselfwasshiftinghisanchorage，hadnotoneoftheSpaniardsaloft——butwhoitwasCaptainMorganwasneverabletodiscover——answeredthehailbycryingoutthattheviceadmiralhadbeenseizedbythepirates。

Atthisthealarmwasinstantlygivenandthemischiefdone，forpresentlytherewasatremendousbustlethroughthatpartofthefleetlyingnighesttheviceadmiral——adealofshoutingoforders，abeatingofdrums，andtherunninghitherandthitherofthecrews。

Butbythistimethesailsoftheviceadmiralhadfilledwithastronglandbreezethatwasblowinguptheharbor，whereuponthecarpenter，atCaptainMorgan’sorders，havingcutawaybothanchors，thegalleonpresentlyboreawayuptheharbor，gatheringheadwayeverymomentwiththewindnearlydeadastern。Thenearestvesselwastheonlyonethatforthemomentwasabletoofferanyhindrance。Thisship，havingbythistimeclearedawayoneofitsguns，wasabletofireapartingshotagainstthevice-admiral，strikinghersomewhereforward，asourherocouldseebyagreatshowerofsplintersthatflewupinthemoonlight。

Atthesoundoftheshotallthevesselsoftheflotanotyetdisturbedbythealarmwerearousedatonce，sothatthepirateshadthesatisfactionofknowingthattheywouldhavetorunthegantletofalltheshipsbetweenthemandtheopenseabeforetheycouldreckonthemselvesescaped。

And，indeed，toourhero’sminditseemedthatthebattlewhichfollowedmusthavebeenthemostterrificcannonadethatwaseverheardintheworld。Itwasnotsoillatfirst，foritwassomewhilebeforetheSpaniardscouldgettheirgunsclearforaction，theybeingnottheleastintheworldpreparedforsuchanoccasionasthis。Butbyandbyfirstoneandthenanothershipopenedfireuponthegalleon，untilitseemedtoourherothatallthethundersofheavenletlooseuponthemcouldnothavecreatedamoreprodigiousuproar，andthatitwasnotpossiblethattheycouldanyofthemescapedestruction。

Bynowthemoonhadrisenfullandround，sothatthecloudsofsmokethatroseintheairappearedaswhiteassnow。Theairseemedfullofthehissandscreamingofshot，eachoneofwhich，whenitstruckthegalleon，wasmagnifiedbyourhero’simaginationintotentimesitsmagnitudefromthecrashwhichitdeliveredandfromthecloudofsplintersitwouldcastupintothemoonlight。Atlasthesuddenlybeheldonepoormanknockedsprawlingacrossthedeck，who，asheraisedhisarmfrombehindthemast，disclosedthatthehandwasgonefromit，andthattheshirtsleevewasredwithbloodinthemoonlight。AtthissightallthestrengthfellawayfrompoorHarry，andhefeltsurethatalikefateorevenaworsemustbeinstoreforhim。

But，afterall，thiswasnothingtowhatitmighthavebeeninbroaddaylight，forwhatwiththedarknessofnight，andthelittlepreparationtheSpaniardscouldmakeforsuchabusiness，andtheextremehastewithwhichtheydischargedtheirguns(manynotunderstandingwhatwastheoccasionofallthisuproar)，nearlyalltheshotflewsowideofthemarkthatnotaboveoneintwentystruckthatatwhichitwasaimed。

MeantimeCaptainMorgan，withtheSieurSimon，whohadfollowedhimupondeck，stoodjustabovewhereourherolaybehindtheshelterofthebulwark。Thecaptainhadlitapipeoftobacco，andhestoodnowinthebrightmoonlightclosetotherail，withhishandsbehindhim，lookingoutaheadwiththeutmostcoolnessimaginable，andpayingnomoreattentiontothedinofbattlethanthoughitweretwentyleaguesaway。Nowandthenhewouldtakehispipefromhislipstoutteranordertothemanatthewheel。Exceptingthishestoodtherehardlymovingatall，thewindblowinghislongredhairoverhisshoulders。

Haditnotbeenforthearmedgalleythepiratesmighthavegotthegalleonawaywithnogreatharmdoneinspiteofallthiscannonading，fortheman-of-warwhichrodeatanchornighesttothematthemouthoftheharborwasstillsofarawaythattheymighthavepasseditbyhuggingprettyclosetotheshore，andthatwithoutanygreatharmbeingdonetotheminthedarkness。

Butjustatthismoment，whentheopenwaterlayinsight，camethisgalleypullingoutfrombehindthepointoftheshoreinsuchamanneraseithertoheadourpiratesoffentirelyorelsetocompelthemtoapproachsoneartotheman-of-warthatthatlattervesselcouldbringitsgunstobearwithmoreeffect。

Thisgalley，Imusttellyou，waslikeothersofitskindsuchasyoumayfindinthesewaters，thehullbeinglongandcutlowtothewatersoastoallowtheoarstodipfreely。Thebowwassharpandprojectedfaroutahead，mountingaswiveluponit，whileatthesternanumberofgalleriesbuiltoneaboveanotherintoacastlegavesheltertoseveralcompaniesofmusketeersaswellastheofficerscommandingthem。

Ourherocouldbeholdtheapproachofthisgalleyfromabovethestarboardbulwarks，anditappearedtohimimpossibleforthemtohopetoescapeeitheritortheman-of-war。ButstillCaptainMorganmaintainedthesamecomposurethathehadexhibitedallthewhile，onlynowandthendeliveringanordertothemanatthewheel，who，puttingthehelmover，threwthebowsofthegalleonaroundmoretothelarboard，asthoughtoescapethebowofthegalleyandgetintotheopenwaterbeyond。Thiscoursebroughtthepiratesevercloserandclosertotheman-of-war，whichnowbegantoadditsthundertothedinofthebattle，andwithsomuchmoreeffectthatateverydischargeyoumighthearthecrashingandcracklingofsplinteredwood，andnowandthentheoutcryorgroaningofsomemanwhowashurt。Indeed，haditbeendaylight，theymustatthisjunctureallhaveperished，though，aswassaid，whatwiththenightandtheconfusionandthehurry，theyescapedentiredestruction，thoughmorebyamiraclethanthroughanypolicyupontheirownpart。

Meantimethegalley，steeringasthoughtocomeaboardofthem，hadnowcomesonearthatit，too，presentlybegantoopenitsmusketryfireuponthem，sothatthehummingandrattlingofbulletswerepresentlyaddedtothedinofcannonading。

Intwominutesmoreitwouldhavebeenaboardofthem，wheninamomentCaptainMorganroaredoutofasuddentothemanatthehelmtoputithardastarboard。Inresponsethemanranthewheeloverwiththeutmostquickness，andthegalleon，obeyingherhelmveryreadily，camearounduponacoursewhich，ifcontinued，wouldcertainlybringthemintocollisionwiththeirenemy。

ItispossibleatfirsttheSpaniardsimaginedthepiratesintendedtoescapepasttheirstern，fortheyinstantlybeganbackingoarstokeepthemfromgettingpast，sothatthewaterwasallofafoamaboutthem，atthesametimetheydidthistheypouredinsuchafireofmusketrythatitwasamiraclethatnomoreexecutionwasaccomplishedthanhappened。