"So we escaped the gallows on this occasion." Nor was it only hanging that was to be feared, for it was proposed by these desperate fellows that in case their capture became certain, they should "set foot to foot and blow out each other's brains"—a suggestion which, though he pretended to approve of it, did not please Ashton.
There was now a plot among the more honest portion of the crew to overpower the rest. It was unfortunately discovered, and one Farrington Spriggs, the second in command, informed Ashton that he should "swing like a dog at the yard-arm," as being one of the conspirators. To this our hero meekly replied that he had had no intention of injuring any one on board, but should be glad if he could be allowed to go away quietly.
Perhaps this soft answer had the effect of turning away Mr. Farrington Spriggs's wrath, for Ashton presently remarks, "In the end this flame was quenched, and, through the goodness of Providence, I escaped destruction."
About this time they were in the Bay of Honduras, which is full of small wooded islands, generally known in that part of the world as "keys."
At one of these, which lay altogether out of the track of ships, the pirate touched for water, and the long-boat was sent ashore with casks to get a supply. Low had sworn that Ashton "should never set foot on shore again," but that chieftain was not on board at the time, and the cooper, who was in charge of the boat, granted his request to go with the party. As to running away, there was nowhere, as he reflected, for the man to run to.
When they first landed, Ashton made himself very busy in helping to get the casks out of the boat and in rolling them to the spring; but presently he began to stroll along the beach, picking up shells. On getting out of musket-shot, he made for a thick wood.
"Where are you going?" cried the cooper.
"Only for cocoa-nuts," was Ashton's reply, pointing to where some were hanging.
When once out of sight he ran as fast as the thickness of the bushes and his naked feet permitted him. His clothing was "an Osnaburgh frock and trousers and a knitted cap, but neither shirt, shoes, stockings, nor anything else."
The wood was so thick that he could hear the voices of the party while he himself was quite invisible and secure.