CHAPTER IX
THE CAPTURE
'Pass the word for not a man to go below, Hawkhurst!' said the pirate-captain.
'I have, sir; and sentries are stationed at the hatchways. Shall we haul the schooner off?'
'No, let her remain; the breeze is faint already: we shall have a calm in half an hour. Have we lost many men?'
'Only seven, that I can reckon; but we have lost Wallace' (the second mate).
'A little promotion will do no harm,' replied Cain; 'take a dozen of our best men and search the ship, there are others alive yet. By the bye, send a watch on board of the schooner; she is left to the mercy of the Kroumen, and——'
'One who is better out of her,' replied Hawkhurst.