overboard," observed Peter to me when none of them were near to
listen; "they'll go down like a shot, and then what will be the use to
them of all the dollars and the gold they have collected? What's the
use of it to them now? just to spend in the grossest folly and
debauchery; and for the sake of collecting it, they have been living a
life of murder and rapine! All I can say is that I don't want to change
places with them, though their pockets are full and mine are empty!" I
agreed with Peter that neither would I, and we had good reason before
long to think the same.

We were still not clear of danger from our pursuers. The breeze
freshened so much that it was with difficulty we could stagger along
under the press of canvas we carried; and as the Spaniards' vessels were
much larger, had we been compelled to shorten sail, they might easily
have come up with us. If they did, we well knew that we could expect no
mercy from them. Still the chase was very exciting. However, I would
rather be the pursuer than the pursued; and I suppose that a hare, or a
fox, or a stag would, if it could express its opinion, agree with me in
the latter remark. Fortunately for us the breeze kept very steady; and
as, after a time, the Spaniards found that they lost ground rather than
gained on us, they tacked and stood back towards the Cuban coast. This
event was noticed with loud cheers by all our people, nor was I slack in
joining them.

Our passage, till we sighted the coast of Jamaica, was very rapid.
Captain Helfrich had made some arrangement with the pirates as to their
future course. I do not know what it was. Some were to go away in
their boats in different directions; some wished to land, and others to
be put on board homeward-bound vessels. They wanted to take the
schooner, but, of course, he could not willingly let them have her, as
she was not his property. I suspect that they had formed a plan to take
her; but their designs, if such existed, were defeated.

Among the cargo were some small casks of rum. A knowledge of this fact
the captain wished to keep concealed from everybody on board.
Unhappily, however, the pirates discovered them, and, in spite of
Captain Helfrich's remonstrances and warnings, they very soon had them
up and broached on deck. Every minute they became more and more riotous
and inclined to quarrel among themselves. Again the captain warned them
that they would betray themselves; but laughingly t