about seventy or eighty leagues north of the island
of Madagascar. All the passengers being at supper, with Captain Croker
at the head of the table, conversation began to run upon those pirates
who had much infested these waters of late.

"Why," says Captain Croker, "the presence of the rascals has so affected
me that I have determined to alter the course of my vessel, and to run
outside of Madagascar instead of through the Mozambique Channel, for it
is well to have plenty of sea-room either to fight or to run from these
wicked rogues. So now, if the wind holds good, seeing we are such
friends with the Frenchmen in these peaceful days, I purpose stopping at
the Mauritius to take aboard fresh provisions."

Captain Croker did not look at me whilst he was saying all this, but
studiously kept his eyes upon the plate before him, and presently rose
and left the table.

As for me, I sat with my heart beating within my breast as though it
would burst asunder, for I saw that my fate was decided at last, and
that one of the greatest happenings in all of my life was soon to come
upon me.

In two days, as Captain Croker had predicted, we dropped anchor in the
harbor off Port Louis at about three o'clock in the afternoon. I ate but
little supper that night, my mind being so engrossed upon that which I
had undertaken to do.

We lay about half a mile from the shore, the water in the bay being very
calm and still. I had procured four large calabash gourds, with which I
had made shift to rig up a very decent float or life-preserver, for I
had need of some such aid in my expedition, not being a very expert
swimmer.

In all this time I had said nothing to Captain Croker, nor he to me; but
about seven o'clock, it being at that time pretty dark, he came to me
where I stood by the rail of the poop-deck.

"Jack," said he, in a low voice, "are you still in the mind for
carrying this thing through?"

"Yes, I am," I said.

"To-night?" says he.

"To-night," says I.

"Then God bless you!" said he, and he gave my hand a hearty grip. Then
he turned upon his heel and went below, and I knew that my time for
acting had arrived.

I had not much fear of sharks, for I had seen enough of those cowardly
creatures to know that they rarely or never attack a swimmer or a moving
man, but only a body floating upon the water as though dead; moreover,
at night they are asleep or in deep water, for they are not often seen
upon the surface after the