Chapter 42

We sat down on the carpet of desperation and the stools of despair.

The pirates on shore seemed as bewildered as we were. The pirates on board seemed in a great state of confusion and uproar. A general running, hurrying, and scurrying took place among them all.

While those of the ship pointed vehemently to the sea, they of the land gesticulated violently towards the caverns, and both were equally eccentric in their observations regarding us. At last regular parties were organized, who began systematically, at the same time with the utmost rapidity, to unload their vessel; while the pirate king, hoisting a white flag, and attended by a few ferocious-looking followers, advanced towards our rock. By the captain's advice we hoisted a white rag of some sort, as a token of friendship, and in silence waited the result.

In bad French the pirate captain offered us terms for capitulation. He pointed out how useless it was for us now to think of repelling such numbers. That if we would come down quietly, we should be received with open arms ("and cut throats," murmured some one behind me); that they would engage their most sacred word of honour they would do us no harm ("much honour in a pirate," murmured the same voice); that there was plenty of room on the island for us all, and that we might choose which side we pleased, and they would take the other. All they wanted was peace and our friendship.

Our dear captain shook his head at all this civility, and fairly laughed at the offer of friendship. But he turned, as in duty bound, being spokesman, to take our opinion.

Simultaneously we all rose together, and letting the pirates have a full and perfect view of our whole party (save the two invalids) for the first time, with one voice we all exclaimed, "No! no!" Though evidently surprised at seeing what a helpless party we were, it yet seemed to give him but greater zest to persuade us to come down.

His offers became more generous, his civilities greater, his promises most profuse and tempting, but, invariably and simultaneously, without waiting for our captain's appeal, rose the decided "No! no!"

With subdued oaths and imprecations he left us, having been several times interrupted by urgent entreaties from his companions. Leaving some young boys to watch us, he repaired to his companions, and they now seemed wholly occupied in emptying the ship and stowing everything away in the caverns. The bay was one scene of activity and bustle.

We sat quiet, knowing that night was drawing on, when our last effort for escape must be made.

_Oscar._--"Captain, you never told us what happened to you in the caverns, and how Smart found you."

_Captain._--"I found him, Sir, instead of his finding me. I kept the entrance blocked up as long as I could, but I could not get a good shot at any of the enemy on account of that demented woman, who was always in the way. It was enough that as fast as they took out one stone I piled up another, until, finding that they were getting too many for me, and knowing that you had had ample time to place yourselves in safety, I swung myself up by the rope to the top of the cavern, and, drawing it up, I lay there concealed, watching their movements. Such a pandemonium