A look of resignation now came over Mr.Delaplaine's face.
"Captain," said he, "I must yield to your reason; it is absolutely necessary that we shall not starve." Ichabod's face shone and he held out his hand.

"Bedad, sir," he cried, "I honour you as a bold gentleman and a kind one.

I will instantly lay my course somewhat to the eastward, and I promise you, sir, it will not be long before we run across some of these merchant fellows.

I beg you, sir, speak to your ladies and tell them that there will be no unpleasant commotion; we may draw our swords and make a fierce show, but, bedad, I don't believe there'll be any fighting.

We shall want so little--for I would not attempt to take a regular prize with ladies on board--that the fellows will surely deliver what we demand, the quicker to make an end of it." "If you are perfectly sure," said Mr.Delaplaine, "that you can restrain your men from violence, I would like to be a member of your boarding party; it would be a rare experience for me." Now Captain Ichabod fairly shouted with delight.
"Bravo! Bravo!" he exclaimed; "I didn't dream, sir, that you were a man of such a noble spirit.