ill command
forward on the fo'c'sl. Raveneau and Velsers shall attend to the
batteries in the waist. I appoint you, Hornigold, to look after the
movements of the ship. See that the best hands are at the wheel and have
sail trimmers ready. My Portuguese friend, you may look to the after
guns. Now to your stations. Cast loose and provide! Man the larboard
battery! See every thing is ready, but hold your fire and keep silence
under pain of death! Yon frigate over there, we'll strike first. She'll
be unprepared and unsuspecting. One good blow ought to dispose of her."

As he spoke, the men hurried to their stations. There was no lack of
skill on the frigate, and now was seen the value of Morgan's constant
drilling. The cannon of the ship were cast loose and loaded, loggerheads
and matches lighted, small arms distributed and primed, pikes were
served out, cutlasses loosened in their sheaths, and such as had armor,
still worn in greater or less degree even in that day, donned it, and
the ship was full of busy preparation.

"We've no flag flying, sir," said Hornigold as the men settled down to
their stations, grim and ready.

"Ay," said Morgan, "show the English flag. We'll make as much trouble
for his gracious majesty, King James, as possible."

In a short time the glorious colors of England, which had never waved
over so despicable a crew before, rippled out in the freshening breeze.
As they were rapidly approaching the Spanish ship now, Morgan descended
from the poop-deck to make a personal inspection of his frigate before
beginning action. He found everything to his taste, and passed along the
lines of silent men congregated around the guns with words of stern
appreciation.

The crews of the guns had been constituted with great care. The gun
captains in each instance were tried and proved seamen, men as fearless
as they were capable. The weaker and the more wretched portion of the
band had been so placed that opportunity for showing cowardice would be
greatly circumscribed, and the stern command of the captain that the
officers and petty officers should instantly shoot any man who flinched
from duty was not without effect. He did not hesitate to remind the men,
either, that they fought with halters around their necks. As even the
craven becomes dangerous when pushed to the wall, he felt they would
give a good account of themselves.

"Hornigold," said Morgan, as he stepped up on the quarter-deck again,
"I want the fr