el man; therefore I ask this aid of you for the sake of these three
women._

_"Furthermore, I ask that you do not hastily refuse this plea for aid,
but may allow me to come aboard of your craft and speak to you in
person._

_"I know that there is with you one who is mine enemy, because of a great
injury which he hath done me, and who will no doubt conspire against my
life--I mean Captain Leach, lately one of my passengers, and who, I
suspect, along with others, betrayed us into your hands. But although I
believe he would seek my life, yet I am willing to trust it into your
hands if you will promise me safety in my coming and my going._

_"Sir, I beseech you to grant me this speech with you, that I may plead
the cause of the weak and helpless, and am, sir,_

_"Your very obedient and humble servant,_

"John Mackra."

XI.

Mr. White was only gone for a little more than two days, and when he
returned he brought with him a letter from the pirate captain. The
communication ran thus:

_"To Captain John Mackra, late of the 'Cassandra:'_

_"Sir,--If you choose to risk your life by coming hither, devil a word
have I to say against it. They're a wild set of blades under me, and
mind the helm no better than a washing-tub, so that my orders have
little or no weight with them. All the same, if you're the man to come
aboard, and have the courage to face the matter out, I'll do what I can
to see that no harm happens to you. But if you'll take a friend's advice
you'll stay where you are, and let a bad matter cure itself, for you
know very well that there is no use splicing a rotten rope. As for the
pickle you're in, lay that to your luck, and not to me._

"Edward England."

I was none too well pleased with this precious epistle, for I could see
very readily how little command Captain England held upon the wretches
under him. Nevertheless, it did not alter my determination to to go
aboard of the pirate craft and to speak with him. I was the more
inclined to do this as I felt well assured that the pirates could not
now be as hot for my blood as they had been at first.

* * * * *

It was necessary for me to get away from the king's town without
confiding my determination to any one, or any one having knowledge of my
departure, for I knew very well that there was not one of my officers
bu