ROBERT
They have the two ships lashed together, and they’re on ours, taking store of the plunder.
LYDIA (shuddering)
Will they murder all our crew, Robert—(with a sob)—and my father—and—and us?
ROBERT (solemnly)
We are in the hands of Providence, Lydia.
LYDIA (weeping)
Ah, no! In the hands of horrid pirates! (She sobs; is then quiet for a moment, and speaks in a tone of pathetic reflection.) How sudden it came upon us, Robert!
ROBERT
Sudden? Aye, sudden as a tide wave in the Indy oceans; it’ll come out of a level sea and carry away half your ship while you’re taking a puff o’ your pipe! Sudden’s the way of the sea, Lydia.
LYDIA
Oh, I believe it! Was it only a little while ago you and I stood and watched the moon lift itself out of the water so quietly?
ROBERT
Yes, at nightfall.
LYDIA
And we were happy—and didn’t know it! We thought we had trouble! We were afraid to tell my father that you and I had found love together; we were afraid of what he would say. How strange it seems now; we thought that was trouble!
ROBERT
Aye, sweetheart; it’s strange.
LYDIA
When they come to us how will they murder us, Robert?