Philip now repented that he had ransomed the vessel, as he would, in all probability, have to meet and cope with a superior force, before he could make his way clear out of these seas; but there was no help for it.  He consulted with Krantz, and it was agreed that they should send for the ship’s company and make them acquainted with these facts; arguing that a knowledge of the valuable capture which they had made, would induce the men to fight well, and stimulate them with the hopes of further success.  The ship’s company heard the intelligence with delight, professed themselves ready to meet double their force, and then, by the directions of Philip, the casks were brought up on the quarter-deck, opened, and the bullion taken out.  The whole, when collected, amounted to about half a million of dollars, as near as they could estimate it, and a distribution of the coined money was made from the capstan the very next day; the bars of metal being reserved until they could be sold, and their value ascertained.

For six weeks Philip worked his vessel up the coast, without falling in with any vessel under sail.  Notice had been given by the advice-boat, as it appeared, and every craft, large and small, was at anchor under the batteries.  They had nearly run up the whole coast, and Philip had determined that the next day he would stretch across to Batavia, when a ship was seen in-shore under a press of sail, running towards Lima.  Chase was immediately given, but the water shoaled, and the pilot was asked if they could stand on.  He replied in the affirmative, stating that they were now in the shallowest water, and that it was deeper within.  The leadsman was ordered into the chains, but at the first heave the lead-line broke; another was sent for, and the Dort still carried on under a heavy press of sail.  Just then, the negro slave went up to Philip, and told him that he had seen the pilot with his knife in the chains, and that he thought he must have cut the lead-line so far through as to occasion it being carried away, and told Philip not to trust him.  The helm was immediately put down; but as the ship went round she touched on the bank, dragged, and was again clear.—­“Scoundrel!” cried Philip.  “So you cut the lead-line?  The negro saw you, and has saved us.”

The Spaniard leaped down from off the gun, and, before he could be prevented, had buried his knife in the heart of the negro.  “Maldetto, take that for your pains!” cried he, in a fury, grinding his teeth and flourishing his knife.

The negro fell dead.  The pilot was seized and disarmed by the crew of the Dort, who were partial to the negro, as it was from his information that they had become rich.

“Let them do with him as they please,” said Krantz to Philip.

“Yes,” replied Philip; “summary justice.”

The crew debated a few minutes, and then lashed the pilot to the negro, and carried him off to the taffrail.  There was a heavy plunge, and he disappeared under the eddying waters in the wake of the vessel.