without mercy."

With these words he left the cabin. "What a monster, what cruelty!" I
thought, but borne down by fatigue, I soon fell asleep.

I had been sleeping about two hours when I was roused by the captain.

"You must come on deck," he said, rather anxiously, "we are in
trouble."

Four sailors seized me, and immediately carried me above, sick as I
was. Here I learned that a boat was approaching in the darkness, and
that preparations for defence were being made.

"Hail it in English," said the captain.

I did so, but received no answer.

"Now let me try," he continued; "we'll see if they understand
Spanish."

They answered immediately as friends, and announced that they came
with important news for the captain. The partisans of the officer, who
had formed the before-mentioned conspiracy, maddened by the death of
their comrades, had sworn to be revenged. They had tracked the fifth
assassin, who had been sent off this evening to the house of one of
the government officials, who was in friendly connection with the
pirate captain, and our informants assured us that if timely aid were
not rendered him, he would certainly be put to death. This information
had a most distressing effect upon the crew, and no one offered to go
upon such a dangerous errand. But the captain did not lose courage,
gave the men quantities of rum and brandy, and promised four pieces
of gold to each volunteer. Ten of the boldest then came forward, got
ready immediately, and were fully provided with weapons, as well as
biscuit and wine. Before the end of a quarter of an hour, they rowed
ashore in company with the other boat. The captain commanded the whole
crew to remain on deck, and doubled the watch. Every thing was quiet,
and prepared for any emergency. I was carried down into the cabin
again, but could not close my eyes; the door was open, and I heard
every thing that passed on deck. About midnight our boat returned, but
only with five men, who gave the following account of their adventures
to the captain.

After they had landed, and proceeded a few steps, they came upon a
servant of that _honest_ official to whose house the fifth assassin
had been tracked, and who was to have furnished him with a pass. This
man informed them that the assassin had actually fallen into the hands
of the conspirators, and that he was lost if they did not instantly
hasten to his rescue. They made a circuit to avoid their enemies, and
succeeded in surp