"Mainsail, haul!" shouted Captain York, when the bark's head was within one point of the wind. "Let go and haul."
All hands worked with a will, and never did a more cheerful set of sailors handle the braces than our party. Coming about seemed like retracing the wayward steps taken by the pirates in charge of the vessel; and, when the Michigan was headed towards the north, we experienced a great relief from the burden which had rested upon us. Walker was sent to the wheel, and the course "due north" had been given out. We had not yet determined what to do with the vessel; but we all agreed that it was better to go north than south, for the vessel was just passing out of the region of the north-east trades, and we were liable to be becalmed if we continued on our former course.
Our work could hardly be said to be accomplished, for we had not yet disposed of our prisoners, ten of whom might cause us a great deal of trouble if by accident one of them should break his bonds. I spoke to Captain York about this matter, and he left it entirely to Baxter and me. We went below, and found everything in the cabin just as we had left it. Waterford still lay in his berth, and Sanderson, like a vigilant sentinel as he was, stood by him.
"How goes it on deck, Phil?" asked the old salt, when he saw me.
"All right; we have bound all the pirates, and put the bark about."
"How does she head?"
"North."
"That's right. We ought to keep away from the slave region," replied the veteran, with a cheerful smile.
"Now, what shall we do with these pirates?"
"Pirates!" exclaimed Waterford, lifting up his head.