"The ladies are in Annapolis," said Marbury, readily, "and I possess no ancestral silver; I am a new man in Maryland. What little of my own there is shall be included."
The pirate regarded him in stern silence for a moment—then he suddenly swung forward his sword hilt.
"Will you swear, on the Cross, to the truth of what you have said?" he inquired.
"Certainly, sir, I will swear, if you wish it," said Marbury, raising his hand. "But I warn you, that the Cross is no more sacred to me than, I fancy, it is to you."
The sword sank back into its place, and the pirate chief laughed softly.
"And I would have known you lied, had you sworn," he said. "So be it. Pay over the twelve hundred pounds and the silver, and I, on my part, promise to depart straightway, and to leave you in peace, hereafter."
"You, and all your crew?" questioned Marbury.
"Oh, certainly—I and all my crew."
"But what assurance have I, that, when the money is paid over to you, you will withdraw?" said Marbury cautiously.