The pardon was of course granted by the captain, coupled with hope that he would not be so easily led away another time.
The facts in regard to this last diabolical act of the pirates were these.
Captain Flint, in accordance with the plan which he had decided upon, and with which the reader has already been made acquainted, fitted out a small fishing vessel, manned by some of the most desperate of his crew, and commanded by the Parson and Old Ropes.
Most of the men went on board secretly at night, only three men appearing on deck when she set sail.
In fact, no one to look at her, would take her for anything but an ordinary fishing smack.
They had not been out long, before they came in sight of a vessel which they thought would answer their purpose. It was a small brig engaged in trading along the coast, and such a vessel as under ordinary circumstances they would hardly think worth noticing. But their object was not plunder this time, but simply to do something that would shield them from the danger that threatened them on shore.
The time seemed to favor them, for the night was closing in and there were no other vessels in sight.
On the pirates making a signal of distress, the commander of the brig brought his vessel to, until the boat from the supposed smack could reach him, and the crew could make their wants known.
To his surprise six men fully armed sprang upon his deck.
To resist this force there were only himself, and two men, all unarmed.