“It’s very nasty, dangerous work, attacking ships; if this one Sea-hawk is going to capture to-night had been well-armed and manned by a stout crew, I shouldn’t a’ thought of rigging myself this way; I should a’ fallen on to their decks, like a dead man, and let the smugglers fight it out their own way, and then joined the victors; but if the ship is unarmed, and there is much gold on board, I want to throw dust into Sea-hawk’s eyes, and get as much as possible for my share; and then, when I have got the gold-dust, I shall hook it, for I know the way now into old Nettle’s place up through that trap-door.”
Tim tried to look very fierce, and smoked a pipe to keep down his fearful feelings.
But he looked like a walking arsenal more than anything else, and could scarcely move with the immense weight girt about him.
From time to time as night closed in, word was passed from the watchers outside that the “Sea Spray” was gradually approaching.
When first he heard this report, Tim pretended to be overjoyed, and very anxious to encounter the stranger and show the smuggler band what a courageous fellow he was.
But when Sea-hawk at last gave the order for all his men to make ready to start out on the expedition, Tim’s heart began to flutter and to beat very loudly.
He took a good draught of rum, however, and, as well as he could, got into the boat.
When all had assembled at the mouth of the cave, Sea-hawk called the six boats’ crew together and gave them his final instructions.
Three of the boats with muffled oars, under the Dolphin’s command, was to go on some little distance ahead, and creep through the dense fog unseen, so as to attack the stranger on the windward side.
Sea-hawk, with the other three boats, would follow, and at the same time assail the “Sea Spray” on the leeward side.