“Most respected sir,” said Ichabod, “if the fellows behave themselves properly and don’t offer to fight us, then there’ll be no wickedness, bedad.  I can make a good enough show of men to frighten any ordinary merchant crew so that not a blow need be struck.  And that is what I expect to do, sir.  I would not have any disturbance before ladies, you may be sure of that, bedad.  We bear down upon a vessel; we order her to surrender; we take what we want, and we let her go.  Truly, there’s no wickedness in that!  And as for the disgrace, we can all better bear that than starve.”

Mr. Delaplaine looked at the pirate without a word.  He could not comprehend how a man with such a frank and honest face could thus avow his dishonest principles.  But as he gazed and wondered the thought of a scheme flashed across the mind of the merchant, a thoroughly business-like scheme.  This bold young pirate captain might seize upon such supplies as they were in need of, but he, Felix Delaplaine, of Spanish Town, Jamaica, would pay for them.  Thus might their necessities be relieved and their consciences kept clean.  But he said nothing of this to Ichabod; the pirate might deem such a proceeding unprofessional and interpose some objection.  Payment would be the merchant’s part of the business, and he would attend to it himself.  A look of resignation now came over Mr. Delaplaine’s face.

“Captain,” said he, “I must yield to your reason; it is absolutely necessary that we shall not starve.”

Ichabod’s face shone and he held out his hand.  “Bedad, sir,” he cried, “I honour you as a bold gentleman and a kind one.  I will instantly lay my course somewhat to the eastward, and I promise you, sir, it will not be long before we run across some of these merchant fellows.  I beg you, sir, speak to your ladies and tell them that there will be no unpleasant commotion; we may draw our swords and make a fierce show, but, bedad, I don’t believe there’ll be any fighting.  We shall want so little—­for I would not attempt to take a regular prize with ladies on board—­that the fellows will surely deliver what we demand, the quicker to make an end of it.”

“If you are perfectly sure,” said Mr. Delaplaine, “that you can restrain your men from violence, I would like to be a member of your boarding party; it would be a rare experience for me.”

Now Captain Ichabod fairly shouted with delight.

“Bravo!  Bravo!” he exclaimed; “I didn’t dream, sir, that you were a man of such a noble spirit.  You shall go with us, sir.  Your presence will aid greatly in making our hoped-for capture a most orderly affair; no one can look upon you, bedad, without knowing that you are a high-minded and honourable man, and would not take a box or case from any one if you did not need it.  Now, sir, we shall put about, and by good fortune we may soon sight a merchantman.  Even if it be but a coastwise trader, it may serve our purpose.”

Mr. Delaplaine, with something of a smile upon his sedate face, hurried to Kate, who was upon the quarter-deck.