oop, until she was plain to view, and I knew her
for that same black ship that fouled us in Deptford Pool. She was
standing in for the island under her lower courses only, although the
wind was very light, but on she came, and very slowly, until she was so
near that I might see the very muzzles of her guns. Suddenly with a
cheery yo-ho-ing her yards were braced round, her anchor was let go and
she brought to opposite Skeleton Cove and within fair pistol-shot.

Now glancing below I saw Tressady stand alone and with Abnegation Mings
huddled at his feet, but in the gloom of the cave and to right and
left, in every patch of shadow and behind every bush and rock, was the
glimmer of pistol or musket-barrel, and all levelled in the one
direction.

Presently up to the lofty poop of the ship clambered a short, squat man
in marvellous wide breeches and a great cutlass on hip, who clapping
speaking-trumpet to mouth, roared amain:

"Ahoy the shore! We be shorthanded. Now what rogues o' ye will turn
honest mariners and 'list aboard us for England? Who's for a free
pardon and Old England?"

Hereupon, from bush and shadow and rock, I heard a whisper, a murmur,
and the word "England" oft repeated.

Tressady heard it also, and stepping forward he drew a long furrow in
the sand with the toe of his shoe.

"Look'ee my hearty boys," says he, pointing to this furrow with his
hook, "the first man as setteth foot athwart this line I send to
hell-fire along o' Tom Purdy yonder!"

"Ahoy the shore!" roared Godby louder than ever, "who's for an honest
life, a free pardon and a share in Black Bartlemy's Treasure--or shall
it be a broadside? Here be every gun full charged wi'
musket-balls--and 'tis point-blank range! Which shall it be?"

Once again rose a murmur that swelled to an angry muttering, and I saw
Smiling Sam come creeping from the shadow of the cave.

"O Cap'n," he piped, "'Tis plaguy desperate business, here's some on us
like to be bloody corpses--but I'm wi' you, Cap'n Roger, whether or no,
'tis me to your back!"

"To my back, Sammy? Why so you shall, lad, so you shall, but I'll ha'
your pistols first, Smiler--so!" And whipping the weapons from the
great fellow's belt, Tressady gave them to Abnegation Mings where he
lay in the shelter of a rock, and sitting down, crossed long legs and
cocked an eye at the heavens.

"Hearties all," quoth he, "the moon sinketh apace and 'twill be ill
shooting for 'em in the dark, so