The following morning we were invited to breakfast, which consisted of coffee with goat’s milk, broiled fish, smoked pork, very good biscuit, and sweet brandy. After breakfast we were sent back to the Dolphin, which, as the captain still persisted in his obstinate assertion that there was no money on board, was being emptied of her contents by the robber captain’s commands. First of all I slipped into the cabin to look after my chest; it had been broken open and robbed of all articles of value, among which were two diamond rings. Some suits of clothes, and some shirts, were all that remained. In unloading the vessel they began first with the cow; then 8 they threw over the poultry, and all the other provisions, and then the wine and brandy casks. They next came to the actual cargo of the brig, out of which only what was very valuable was preserved, for there was no room to stow any thing away in the pirate ship. Thus they worked until towards evening, when we were again invited to supper, and again shown to our sleeping place. The sailors had already become intoxicated, and were singing and rioting upon deck, without either officers or captain daring to check them, for on board such ships discipline is not to be thought of.
The next day, right after breakfast, the pirate called the captain to the after deck.
“I speak now,” said he, “in kindness to you, for the last time; give up your money, or tell where it is concealed. Do it, or, God d––n me, the Dolphin, yourself, and all on board are lost.”
The captain answered as before, that there was no money on board.
“Well then,” cried the captain in a rage, “you shall find out who you have to deal with. Ho there!” he cried to his men, “down with him into the hold, tie up the pumps, and bring fire!”
The command was instantly obeyed, and a quantity of dry wood was heaped up around the unfortunate man, which they were just about to kindle, when his agony wrung from him the confession that under a board in the cabin floor there was a box containing about five hundred doubloons. He was unbound, and the gold was found.
“Well,” said the pirate, “that is something. But you have more––I know it! Give it up, or by all the devils, you shall be burnt.”
The captain now swore, with tears, that he had not a penny more, but the pirate would not believe him.
“I will refresh your memory,” said he, “rely upon it. Bind up the pumps again, and kindle the fire quickly!”