As lanterns were held to their countenances, they
appeared to be ruffian fellows, from whom but little information could
be obtained. They seemed also to be expecting instant death, abject
terror adding to the ill favour of their looks.

Although the captain and other persons on board spoke Flemish, I, as
being the best linguist, was deputed to speak to the men. I told them
that now they were our prisoners we could do as we thought right, but we
had no wish to kill them, even though they might deserve death. I then
asked them at whose instigation they had attacked us. At length I
discovered that the band was composed of persons who had been driven
from their homes by the persecutions of the Spaniards; that some one
among them, of superior rank to the rest, had heard, by some means or
other, that the ship we sailed in had a large treasure on board, of
which they hoped to possess themselves. Captain Davis consulted with us
as to what we should do with our prisoners. We agreed that it might be
as well to show them the cargo of the ship, and to ask them whether they
thought it worth risking their lives to obtain it; and then to let them
go, hoping that they would persuade their comrades not further to pursue
us; for, although this first party had been driven back, we believed the
assertion of the men, that there were a vast number more, who might,
should the wind continue contrary, overtake us in their row-boats, and
carry out their original plan.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN.

CAPTAIN ROVER.

We had to remain at anchor for some time, as, the tide and wind being
contrary, we could not proceed down the river. The information we
received made it very necessary for us to be on our guard; for although
we had driven back the pirates once, they would very probably again
attack us with increased numbers. We proposed to the stranger captain
the plan which had been suggested, and he agreed at once that it was a
good one. Much to the surprise of our prisoners, who had expected to be
run up at the yard-arm, or to be sent overboard with shot round their
feet, we promised them their liberty--provided they would do as we
directed them. They, of course, gladly consented, "We have done well,"
observed the stranger captain, when he saw the prisoners rowing away;
"not that we can depend much upon those fellows. They may or may not
persuade their companions that your vessel is not worth attacking.
However, the sooner you sail away from