In the course of half an hour the merchant returned, and was followed by a servant, who seemed to be bending and groaning under a heavy bag of money which he was carrying.
“There,” said the merchant, taking the bag from the servant, and laying it down on the table, “there are three thousands six hundred dollars in dubloons, verify them.”
The captain spread the coins on the table, and began to count them.
“It is quite correct—the sugar is yours,” he said, when he had done so, and began to replace the dubloons.... The heavy footsteps of men were now heard on the stairs. They grew more and more distinct, and now they resounded within the extensive room.
“There is your man,” exclaimed an individual, and the captain, on looking round, beheld his father, who was standing in front of a file of marines, under the command of a British officer, who was accompanied by an officer in the Danish civil uniform, that probably represented the local government in sanctioning the forcible capture of a British subject, by British authorities, on Danish ground.
The face of the young captain evinced neither astonishment, nor anger, nor scorn, as he stood looking with indifferent calmness on the warlike intruders.
“That is he—the pirate: seize him! seize him!” cried Willmington, almost mad with excitement.
The officer remained undecided, and gave no orders. He seemed surprised, and inquired, after the lapse of a few moments—
“Is this the pirate?” and pointed towards the captain. “I fancy you are in some error: this gentleman does not appear to have ever left the land; besides, he seems too young to be what you say he is: you surely must have made a mistake.”