a shot that
would sweep the deck.

As the boarders approached the Morning Star, the terror of the females
became excessive; they clung to their husbands in despair, who
endeavored to allay their fears by their own vain hopes, assuring them
that a quiet submission nothing more than the plunder of the vessel was
to be apprehended. But a few minutes miserably undeceived them. The
pirates rapidly mounted the side, and as they jumped on deck, commenced
to cut right and left at all within their reach, uttering at the same
time the most dreadful oaths. The females, screaming, hurried to hide
themselves below as well as they were able, and the men fell or fled
before the pirates, leaving them entire masters of the decks.

[Illustration: _The mate begging for his life._]

When the pirates had succeeded in effectually prostrating all the people
on deck, they drove most of them below, and reserved the remainder to
assist in their operations. Unless the circumstances be closely
examined, it may be wondered how six men could have so easily overcome a
crew of English seamen supported by about twenty soldiers with a major
at their head:--but it will not appear so surprising, when it is
considered that the sailors were altogether unarmed, the soldiers were
worn out invalids, and more particularly, that the pirate carried a
heavy long gun, ready to sink her victim at a shot. Major Logie was
fully impressed with the folly of opposing so powerful and desperate an
enemy, and therefore advised submission as the only course for the
safety of those under his charge; presuming no doubt that something like
humanity might be found in the breasts even of the worst of men. But
alas! he was woefully deceived in his estimate of the villains' nature,
and felt, when too late, that even death would have been preferable to
the barbarous treatment he was forced to endure.

Beaten, bleeding, terrified, the men lay huddled together in the hold,
while the pirates proceeded in their work of pillage and brutality.
Every trunk was hauled forth, every portable article of value heaped for
the plunder; money, plate, charts, nautical instruments, and seven
parcels of valuable jewels, which formed part of the cargo; these were
carried from below on the backs of those men whom the pirates selected
to assist them, and for two hours they were thus employed, during which
time Soto stood upon his own deck directing the operations; for the
vessels were within a hund