ack seaward some distance, but
he swam forward madly, and the next wave brought him a little nearer the
beach. He was driven backward and forward, but each time managed to get
a little nearer the shore line.

The whole ship's company stared after him, spontaneously cheering and
yelling cries of encouragement in spite of the fact that he could not
hear a single sound in the roaring, raging seas. Morgan himself tended
the line, skilfully paying it out when necessary. In a few moments,
although the time seemed hours to the watchers, the feet of Teach
touched the shore, and although the terrific undertow of the wave that
had dropped him there almost bore him back again, yet by a superhuman
exertion he managed to stagger forward, and the next moment they saw him
fall prostrate on the sand.

Had he fainted or given way? They looked at him with bated breath but
after a little space they saw him rise slowly to his feet and stagger
inland toward a low point where a lofty palm tree was writhing and
twisting in the fierce wind. He was too good a seaman not instantly to
see what was required of him, for, waving his hand toward the ship he at
once began to haul in the line. Ready hands had bent a larger rope to
it, which was succeeded by a third, strong enough to bear a man's
weight. The buccaneer hauled this last in with great difficulty, for the
distance was far and the wet rope was heavy. He climbed up and made it
fast to the tree and then waited. As soon as he had done so there was a
rush on the ship for the line which had been made fast inboard
temporarily. Morgan, however, interposed between the crew and the
coveted way to safety.

"Back!" he shouted. "One at a time, and the order as I appoint! You,
L'Ollonois, and you, and you," he cried, indicating certain men upon
whom he could depend. "Go in succession. Then haul a heavier rope
ashore. We'll put a traveler with a bo's'n's chair on it, and send
these nuns and the priests first of all."

"Do we have to wait for a lot of wimmin and papists?" growled one man
among the frightened rascals.

"You have to wait until the ship breaks up beneath your feet, if it is
my pleasure," said Morgan, coolly, and they slunk back again, cowed. He
was master of the situation once more.

There was something about that man that enforced obedience, whether they
would or no. His orders were promptly obeyed and intelligently carried
out by L'Ollonois and his men, who first went ashore. A heavy