e volunteered to try to reach the deck, to ascertain
where they had got to. On going out, however, he found a sentry at the
door, who ordered him back, telling him, that without the captain's
leave they would not be allowed to leave their cabin. In a short time
longer, the sound of the anchor let go, and the perfect stillness of the
ship, convinced Jack that he was right in his conjectures. Soon after
this a person they had not before seen came to the cabin.

"Now, friends," he said, "if you are wise men, you will enter with us
and cut the service to which you have belonged. We don't serve either
king or queen, and have only ourselves to obey, while instead of handing
over the profits of our labours to others we keep them for ourselves.
We have a jovial life of it. No lack of adventure and excitement, and
as much gold and silver as we can pick up, though, to be sure, we now
and then have a little fighting for it, but that only adds to its value.
What say you, lads? Will you join us?"

"Thank you for your polite offer," answered Deane, "but we are well
content with the service in which we're engaged, and have no fancy for
changing it. We, too, have plenty of fighting, and can generally scrape
up as much gold as we want."

"Enough is as good as a feast," observed Burridge; "and I'll tell you
what, sir, with due respect to you, we would rather serve Queen Anne
than King Mobb Sogg, or any other king in or out of Christendom; and
though you gentlemen buccaneers are very fine fellows, we have no fancy
just at present of becoming one of your number."

"It would have been better for you if you had made up your minds to
follow my advice," answered the pirate officer; "I should have been able
to set you at liberty at once and let you wander all over our island.
As it is, you must be content to remain shut up on board, or maybe on
shore, where we have a sort of prison which is sometimes useful."

Jack and his companions were in no way ill-treated, except in being
confined to the cabin, while an abundance of provisions were brought to
them. From the noises they heard they judged that the cargo of the
vessel was being taken out of her, and they hoped when that was done
that some change or other might take place in their condition. They had
no fancy to remain prisoners for ever, and they determined that if not
released by their captors, they would endeavour if possible to escape by
themselves. Burridge had been allowed