When we parted company with the Hope there was among the crew of the America but one thought, one idea, and that the capture of other craft belonging to the St. Thomas fleet.
The richly laden ship had but whetted the appetite of the men for more, and some of the most sanguine believed we might remain in the midst of the fleet, seizing a vessel here and there, until we no longer had men enough on board to make up a prize-crew.
That we would succeed in capturing one or more other craft out of all the number that had left port seemed absolutely certain, even though the convoying sloops-of-war came across us while we were at our work, for, as Captain Ropes had said, we could make it exceeding lively for either the Ringdove or the Scorpion.
The men were so busily occupied with figuring up the amount of prize-money which had been, and was to be, earned, that they had no time to spend on possible ghosts, omens of any kind, or such happenings as had nearly converted honest Yankee sailors into mutineers.
It seemed to Simon and me that the danger from this source had disappeared entirely; but we were so seriously disturbed as to be wofully frightened over what might happen if the prisoners concluded to make an effort toward capturing the ship.
We speculated long and in vain trying to decide why the captain should have thus neglected to take some steps toward recapturing the Britisher who was lurking in the America’s hold awaiting an opportunity to free his fellow.
Now we were positive this fellow had played the ghost by appearing in the fore-hatchway, as well as by shouting his senseless warning; but how he had contrived to bring himself into view, when the night was so dark that the lookouts could not distinguish objects at a distance of two yards, was more than we could conjecture.
Simon and I had remained constantly on watch from the moment we discovered one of the prisoners to be missing, and since our having warned the captain not less than three of the sailors were also on duty in the hold.
At no time did both of us lads sleep during the same moment. [We divided ourselves into two watches], and indulged in naps lasting no more than an hour.
