You had better lay down your arms in a pile, here.

Then we will sit down quietly, and await their coming on board.

They will be here in a minute, now." Scarcely had the seven passengers taken their seats in a group, on the poop, when the freebooters ranged alongside, and swarmed over the sides onto the deck.

Beyond bestowing a few kicks upon the crew, they paid no attention whatever to them; but tore off the hatches, and at once proceeded to investigate the contents of the hold.

The greater portion of this consisted of native grains, but there were several bales of merchandise, consigned by traders at Calicut for Ceylon.