an to save my own life; but, overpowered
or not, I will not fire a shot or draw a cutlass against my own
countrymen."

"Well, I cannot deny but that's all very fair."

"I think," replied I, "it is as much as you can expect; especially as I
never will share any prize-money."

"Well; I will talk to the men, and hear what they say; but, now, answer
me one question--Are you not a seaman?"

"I will answer the truth to everything; I am a seaman, and I have
commanded a privateer. I have served many years in privateers, and have
seen a great deal of hard fighting."

"So I thought," replied he; "and now answer me another question,--Was it
not you that played that trick to that French privateer captain at
Bordeaux?"

"Yes it was," replied I; "but how came you to know that?"

"Because I was the mate of a merchant vessel that had been captured, and
I saw you three or four times as you passed the vessel I was on board
of; for, being put in quarantine, we were not sent to prison till the
pratique was given. I thought that I knew you again."

"I have no concealment to make."

"No: but I will tell you candidly, my men, if they knew all this, would
not allow you to leave the vessel. Indeed, you might be captain if you
pleased, for I do not suit them. Our captain--for I was his officer--
was killed about six months ago; and I really am not fit for the
office--I am too tender-hearted."

"Well; you don't look so," replied I, laughing.

"Can't judge of outsides," replied he; "but it's a fact. They say that
they will be all condemned if taken, from my not destroying the crews of
the vessels we take; that they will be so many witnesses against them;
and I cannot make up my mind to cold-blooded murder. I am bad enough; I
rob on the high seas; I kill on the high seas--for we must kill when we
fight; but I cannot commit deliberate murder either at sea or on shore,
and so I tell them. If any one else could navigate the vessel, I should
be superseded immediately."

"I am glad to hear you say what you have, captain; it makes me less
dissatisfied at finding myself here. Well; I have said all I can, and I
must trust to you to manage with your ship's company."

"It will be a difficult job," said he, musing.

"Tell them," replied I, "that I was once a captain of a vessel like this
(after all, there is not so much difference between a pirate and a
privateer as you may think)--and that I will not be under the command of
any one.