'Yes, God's will be done!' said Cain mournfully. 'I dared not have said that a month ago.' And the pirate captain went on deck, followed by Francisco.
The crew of the Avenger were summoned aft, and called upon to decide as to the measures they considered to be most advisable. They preferred weighing the anchor and running into the bay, where they would be able to defend the schooner, in their opinion, much better than by remaining where they were.
The crew of the pirate schooner weighed the anchor, and continued their precarious course; the breeze had freshened, and the water was in strong ripples, so that they could no longer see the danger beneath her bottom. In the meantime, the sloop of war and Enterprise continued to turn to windward outside the reef.
By noon the wind had considerably increased, and the breakers now turned and broke in wild foam over the coral reefs in every direction. The sail was still more reduced on board the Avenger, and her difficulties increased from the rapidity of her motion.
A storm-jib was set, and the others hauled down; yet even under this small sail she flew before the wind.
Cain stood at the bowsprit, giving his directions to the helmsman. More than once they had grazed the rocks and were clear again. Spars were towed astern, and every means resorted to, to check her way. They had no guide but the breaking of the wild water on each side of them.
'Why should not Hawkhurst, who knows the passage so well, be made to pilot us?' said the boatswain to those who were near him on the forecastle.
'To be sure! let's have him up!' cried several of the crew; and some of them went down below.
In a minute they reappeared with Hawkhurst, whom they led forward. He did not make any resistance, and the crew demanded that he should pilot the vessel.
'And suppose I will not?' said Hawkhurst coolly.