y possible they would be taken by the Spaniards and
imprisoned, if not hanged. They were imprisoned; but, after some time,
they were released. The desertion of Fitzgerald and the other men left
me with my vessel half manned; and I vowed vengeance against him if ever
I had an opportunity. I now cruised as a pirate, and was very
successful, and my name was a terror to those seas. A high reward was
offered for me, dead or alive, which pleased me much, and I became more
murderous than ever. Jack, all this rises up in judgment against me
now; and I recollect every single life taken away by me, or by my
orders, as well as if I had noted them down in a book. May God forgive
me!" continued Spicer, covering his eyes up for a time.

After a pause he continued: "I had ordered a vessel with a valuable
cargo to be taken on a rendezvous we had in the Caicos; but it was
recaptured and taken into Port Royal, Jamaica. As the proofs of the
piracy were well established, the men on board were thrown into prison
to take their trial. I heard of this, for I was often on shore in
disguise in one island or another, and a scheme entered my head which I
thought would benefit myself and wreak my vengeance upon Fitzgerald.
But I must leave off now. Here comes the chaplain; he promised to talk
with me this evening, and you see that I have changed my opinion on that
point, praised be God for it. Good night, Jack; come to-morrow."

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE.

SPICER'S DEATH.

When I saw Spicer again he continued his narrative:

"I told you that I was anxious to wreak my vengeance upon Fitzgerald,
and the plan which I hit upon was as follows: I contrived to get to Port
Royal, and to speak to the two men whom I had been on the best terms
with. I told them that the only chance of escape would be for them to
give their names as those of _James_, which was mine, and of
_Fitzgerald_, the first officer; and I explained to them why; because
Fitzgerald and I had saved the life of the daughter of one of the chief
planters, who, in gratitude, had promised that he would assist us if we
were ever in difficulty. I told them that they must adhere to what they
said, as they would be condemned with the others, but that a reprieve
would be given when they were on the scaffold."

"But why should you have done this?" inquired I.

"First, because I wished people to believe that I was dead, that there
might not be so great a hue and cry after me, and the te