“It will be a difficult job,” said he, musing.
“Tell them,” replied I, “that I was once a captain of a vessel like this (after all, there is not so much difference between a pirate and privateer as you may think)—and that I will not be under the command of any one.”
“If they hear that, they will give you the command of this vessel.”
“I will refuse to take it; and give my reasons.”
“Well; I’ll tell them that: I leave you to settle with them how you can; but,” added he, in a low tone; “there are some desperate villains among them.”
“That I take for granted,” replied I; “so now I leave you to speak to them.”
Toplift did so. He told them that I was a pirate captain, who had lost his vessel and been thrown on shore, but I refused to join any ship except as captain of her; that I would not serve as first officer, and would obey no one. He told them that he knew me before, and he narrated the business at Bordeaux when I commanded a privateer, extolling me, as I afterwards found, beyond all measure.
The crew, having heard what he had to say, went forward, and, after consultation, came to Toplift and said that I must take the oath.
Toplift replied that he had desired me so to do, and that I had answered that I would not. “But,” said he, “you had better speak to him yourselves. Call all hands aft and hear what he has to say.”
This was done, and I was sent for.