Chapter 22

_The Scene lying in a Carrack_.

_Enter a Pirate and the Captain_.

_Pir_. Welcome a ship-board, captain; you staid long.

_Capt_. No longer than was necessary for shifting trades; to change me from a robber to a pirate.

_Pir_. There's a fair change wrought in you since yesterday morning; then you talked of nothing but repentance, and amendment of life.

_Capt_. 'Faith, I have considered better on't: for, conversing a whole day together with honest men, I found them all so poor and beggarly, that a civil person would be ashamed to be seen with them:--but you come from Don Roderick's cabin; what hopes have you of his life?

_Pir_. No danger of it, only loss of blood had made him faint away; he called for you.

_Capt_. Well, are his jewels and his plate brought in?

_Pir_. They are.--When hoist we sails?

_Capt_. At the first break of day: When we are got out clear, we'll seize on Roderick and his men: They are not many, but fear may make them desperate.

_Pir_. We may take them, when they are laid to sleep.

_Capt_. 'Tis well advised.

_Pir_. I forgot to tell you, sir, that a little before Don Roderick was brought in, a company of gentlemen (pursued it seems by justice) procured our boat to row them hither. Two of them carried a very fair lady betwixt them, who was either dead, or swooned.

_Capt_. We'll sell them altogether to the Turk,--at least I'll tell them so. [_Aside_.

_Pir_. Pray, sir, let us reserve the lady to our own uses; it were a shame to good catholicks to give her up to infidels.

_Capt_. Don Roderick's door opens; I'll speak to him.

_The Scene draws, and discovers the Captains cabin; RODORICK on a bed, and two Servants by him_.

_Capt_. How is it with the brave Don Roderick? Do you want any thing?

_Rod_. I have too much Of that I would not, love; And what I would have, that I want, revenge. I must be set ashore.

_Capt_. That you may, sir; But our own safety must be thought on first.

[_One enters, and whispers the Captain_.

_Capt_. I come:--Seignior, think you are lord here, and command all freely.

[_Exeunt Captain and Pirates_.

_Rod_. He does well to bid me think so: I am of opinion We are fallen into huckster's hands.

_1 Serv_. Indeed he talked suspiciously enough; He half denied to land us.

_Rod_. These, Pedro, are your confiding men--

_2 Serv_. I think them still so.

_Rod_. Would I were from them.

_2 Serv_. 'Tis impossible To attempt it now; you have not strength enough To walk.

_Rod_. That venture must be mine: We're lost, If we stay here to-morrow.

_2 Serv_. I hope better.

_1 Serv_. One whom I saw among 'em, to my knowledge, Is a notorious robber.

_2 Serv_. He looked so like a gentleman, I could not know him then.

_Rod_. What became of Julia when I fell?

_1 Serv_. We left her weeping over you, till we Were beaten off; but she, and those with her, Were gone when we returned.

_Rod_. Too late I find, I wronged her in my thoughts. I'm every way A wretched man:-- Something we must resolve on, ere we sleep; Draw in the bed, I feel the cold.

[_Bed drawn in. Exeunt_.