The crew, who felt the truth of their captain's remark, did not appear to object to the punishment inflicted, and the body of the man was dragged away.
'What mercy can we expect from those who show no mercy even to each other?' observed the bishop, lifting his eyes to heaven.
'Silence!' cried Cain, who now interrogated the supercargo as to the contents of the hold—the poor man answered as well as he could—'the plate! the money for the troops—where are they?'
'The money for the troops is in the spirit-room, but of the plate I know nothing; it is in some of the cases belonging to my lord the bishop.'
'Hawkhurst! down at once to the spirit-room and see to the money; in the meantime I will ask a few questions of this reverend father.'
'And the supercargo—do you want him any more?'
'No; he may go.'
The poor man fell down on his knees in thankfulness at what he considered his escape: he was dragged away by the pirates, and it is scarcely necessary to add that in a minute his body was torn to pieces by the sharks, who, scenting their prey from a distance, were now playing in shoals around the two vessels.
The party on the quarter-deck were now (unperceived by the captain) joined by Francisco, who, hearing from the Krouman, Pompey, that there were prisoners still on board, and amongst them two females, had come over to plead the cause of mercy.
'Most reverend father,' observed Cain, after a short pause, 'you have many articles of value in this vessel?'