The fact was, that as he should have no further use for the schooner, and having for some time past, feared that Bradley seemed to be too tender-hearted to answer his purpose, he had determined to abandon him and the schooner together.
At last, news was brought to Captain Flint that a vessel answering the one they were expecting was in sight.
Flint who, with his crew of desperators, was lying at a place now known as Sandy Hook, immediately started in pursuit.
Everything seemed to favor the pirates. The doomed ship was making her way under a light breeze apparently unconscious of danger.
There was one thing about the ship, that struck the pirates as rather unusual. There seemed to be more hands on board than were required to man such a vessel.
"I'm afraid there's more work for us than we've bargained for," said one of the men.
"They seem to have a few passengers on board," remarked Flint, "but we can soon dispose of them."
The principal part of Flint's men had stretched themselves on the bottom of the boat for fear of exciting the suspicion of those on board the ship by their numbers.
As the pirate craft approached the merchant man, apparently with no hostile intention, those on board the ship were watching the boat as closely as they were themselves watched.
As soon as they came within hailing distance, the man at the bow of the boat notified the captain of the ship that he wished to come along side, as he had something of importance to communicate.