Spanish Main, and to him he had
proposed to join him as first officer in the vessel which he was about
to fit out. It appeared that this young man had but a few days returned
from Ireland, where he had married a young woman, to whom he had been
some time attached, and that his disinclination to leave his young wife
made him at first refuse the offer made by Spicer. Spicer, however, who
was aware of his value, would not lose sight of him, and contrived, when
Fitzgerald had taken too much wine, to win of him by unfair means about
one thousand five hundred pounds. Spicer then offered Fitzgerald a
release from the debt, provided he would sail with him; and he exacted
as a further condition that he should not return and take a farewell of
his wife. To these harsh terms Fitzgerald, being without means of
liquidating the debt, consented, and they sailed accordingly.

"And now, Jack, I will tell you why I was so curious about that
spy-glass. I knew the moment that I saw it in your hands that it was
one that belonged to Fitzgerald when we were on our first cruise
together. It was the best glass I ever met with. When we left
Liverpool this time, I asked him for the spy-glass, and he told me that,
expecting to return to his wife before he sailed, he had left it at
home. How it came into the lady's hands I can't tell."

"I never said that Lady Hercules gave it to me," replied I; "although I
did not undeceive you when you thought so. The fact is, it was given me
by a very pretty young Irish widow."

"Then, Jack, I should not wonder if she was not the wife of Fitzgerald,
whom I have been talking about; but that I leave to you. Let me finish
my story. When we arrived on the Spanish coast I had as fine a crew
with me as ever were on board of a vessel; but I had long made up my
mind that I would hoist the black flag. Yes, Jack, it is but too true.
But when I proposed it, Fitzgerald declared that the first act of piracy
that was committed he would leave the vessel. I tried all I could to
persuade him, but in vain. However, we did take an English vessel, and
plundered her. Upon this Fitzgerald protested, and half the crew, at
least, joined him. I threatened the men to shoot them through the head;
but they were resolute; and, being rather the stronger party, I dared
not make any attempt. They insisted upon leaving the vessel; and I, not
being able to help it, landed them all in the Bay of Honduras, where I
thought it ver