"Great God! it is he, or I'm a sailor!" exclaimed Constable. "Do not let the women know."
Sir Edward smiled. "No! no!—As to that, however, a pirate is a pirate, the world over—there is little to choose between them."
"But Long-Sword has nothing in his favor—he is the cruelest, most rapacious pirate afloat."
"Or ashore," Parkington amended. "Ah! the council has ended—the pirate waits. Marbury has been successful."
When Marbury entered, the women crowded around him, but the men remained at their post, taking no chances.
"There will be no fight.—Silence! would you spoil everything?" he demanded. "They must not know there are women here." Instantly the glad cries were hushed. "My womenfolk are in Annapolis," he went on. "The pirate chief has consented to retire. Judith, will you gather together all our silver—not the Hedgely silver, just our own—and tie it up in a sheet, or two sheets, if necessary."
"Surely, Mr. Marbury, this is not the entire ransom?" said Mrs. Plater.
"A little matter of a few gold pieces—no, not a pistole from my guests, madame—I have the necessary cash."
"We will reimburse you——"