able to form a sort of idea as to
which group of islands it belonged to, and when he had reached port and
got rid of his prisoners, all of whom were garroted--that's a sort of
strangling, you know--by the Spaniards, a week afterward, we set out
again on our search for the island."

CHAPTER V: THE PIRATE HOLD

"The frigate was again disguised as a merchantman, as, if she had passed
within sight of the island looking like a ship of war, it would have put
the pirates on their guard, and I had told the captain there were guns
enough at the mouth of the cove to blow the ship's boats out of the
water. As to the frigate getting in, I knew she couldn't, for there was
only just enough water at the entrance for the pirate vessels to enter
in. I was not in irons now, but spent my time on deck; and a wretched
time it was, I can tell you, for not a sailor on board would speak to
me.

"For three weeks we cruised about, sailing round island after island,
but at last as we were approaching one of them I saw the three trees.

"'That's the place,' I said to the boatswain, who was standing near me,
and he carried the news to the quarterdeck, and brought back word I was
to go to the captain.

"You are sure those are the trees?'

"'Quite sure, sir.'

"'They answer to your description certainly,' the captain said. 'Keep
her away, master, I don't want them to think we are steering for the
island.'

"The ship's course was altered, and she sailed along parallel with the
coast.

"'I beg your pardon, sir,' I said, touching my hat, 'but they have got
some wonderful good glasses up at the lookout, and if I might make so
bold I should say that they will make out that we have got a lot more
men on deck than a merchant ship would carry.'

"'You are right, lad,' the captain said, and he at once gave orders that
all hands with the exception of half a dozen should sit down under the
bulwarks or go below. The captain and first lieutenant kept a sharp
lookout through their glasses until we had passed the end of the island.
I pointed out to them the exact position of the cove, but it was so shut
in that even when I showed where it was, it was as much as they could do
to make it out.

"'Now, lad, do you know of any other landing places on the other side of
the island?'

"'No, sir, and I don't believe there is any,' says I. I know the captain
said to me the first day I was on shore, 'It's no use your thinking of
making a bolt, for ther