“Ho! Ho!” laughed Rogers, as he thumbed the papers of the Lieutenant-Governor. “What is this?”
“A warning to the townsfolk of Guayaquil,” said one of his men, as he peered over his shoulder.
Rogers chuckled.
“Beware, all you people”—he read—“of a squadron from the faraway isles of Great Britain which is coming shortly upon you. There will be full ten great ships, heavily manned and well armed for attack. The arch rogue, William Dampier, will be in control,—he who has plundered Puna before. Be on your guard, citizens! Be prepared! Arm yourselves!”
“Hah! Hah!” laughed the free-booting captain. “They think I’m Dampier. That’s good. But we’ll have a tough time with them, for they know that we mean to assault their pretty little town.”
His followers looked solemn.
“Let’s attack, right away,” cried several, “before the Spaniards have time to prepare for our charge!”
Rogers, however, would not hear of it.
“We must rest. Equip ourselves. Place cannon in the bows of our boats, and then we will be ready.”
His men murmured, but they knew that when Rogers had made up his mind upon a thing, there was no use in endeavoring to dissuade him. So they collected what plunder was to be had and awaited his further orders.