to join them in the cabin. He
told them he was afraid that the rest of the crew had joined the
pirates, as they had all left the vessel shouting and singing, and
apparently in very good-humour. He alone had refused to do so, in spite
of the threats of punishment which the pirates uttered.

"I have sworn to fight for our country and for our new queen, and I
intend to do so as long as there is life in me," he observed.

In those days the bands of buccaneers which had made themselves a terror
to the Spaniards had been dispersed. At the peace of Ryswick, finding
that their occupation was gone, and that they would not long receive the
support of the English government, many of them accepted offers of land
in the plantations and became settlers. Those who were unwilling to
lead a quiet life turned regular pirates, mostly hoisting black flags,
with some hideous device, such as skulls and crossbones, and attacked
all nations indiscriminately. Deane fully believed that he had fallen
into the hands of characters of this sort, though he was surprised that
they had hitherto treated him and his companions with so much leniency.

At length an officer visited them. He was a fierce-looking fellow, with
his broad-brimmed hat and leather cocked on one side. A huge belt was
slung across his shoulders, in which two or three brace of pistols were
stuck. A hanger was by his side, with a silk coat covered with gold
lace, while his face was adorned with a large moustache and a long black
beard.

"Well, my hearties," he exclaimed as he entered, "I hope you like being
shut up here like dogs in a kennel! It's a strange fancy if you do; to
my mind, it would be better to have your freedom and enjoy yourselves on
shore. What would you say, now, if I was to offer it you?"

"We should be obliged to you, master," answered Jack; "for we should
like to stretch our legs on shore amazingly."

"Ah, that's sensible!" answered the visitor; "but you must agree to my
terms if you do."

"That may alter the case," said Jack. "Let us hear your terms though,
and we may judge whether we can accept them."

"Ah, they're easy enough!" said their visitor. "All you have to do, is
to swear to be faithful to our fraternity, and if you're ordered to draw
your sword and fight on our side, you will do it, even though our
enemies should be your former friends."

"This is only mockery!" exclaimed Jack. "If you tell us to draw our
swords against our countr