Meanwhile, in order not to waste time, Barthelemy captured a ship coming from India. Her captain, Jonathan Hill, was a jovial fellow who, accepting the pirate's invitation, sat down to breakfast with him, became very friendly after his first glass of wine, and when the second was emptied, asked the company to drink for a wager, in which contest he vowed to land them all under the table.
During this noble rivalry every man was called upon for his favorite song. Hill had two or three.
"Now let us have your favorite, Barthelemy!" he said at last, turning to the pirate chief.
"I cannot sing," replied Barthelemy.
"Oho! But you ought at least to learn the one which is being sung everywhere about you; for instance this:
"Far, far away the white dove flies,
In fierce pursuit the black hawk hies;
The dove is my lover so dear,
The hawk is the pirate I fear."
Barthelemy shuddered.
"Where did you hear that song?"
"Ha! ha! my friend, from a wonderfully beautiful girl, of whom your soul must not even dream; it's a pity that she was in love with someone else."
"Speak! when? where?"