And with a proud laugh they went off to their quarters for the night.

As for Ludar and me, we sat on the forecastle with our eyes straining westward, and full of a strange excitement.
"Humphrey," said Ludar, "if it be any comfort to you, I like not these Dons." "I thank God to hear that," said I.
"And if it come to a fight," said he, "I had as soon see your pirates yonder sweep the sea as these milords.

They did little enough for my Queen while she lived, and they cannot bring her back now she is dead." "Think you we shall come to blows in the morning ?" asked I, anxious to hurry off the sore subject.
"'Tis said so," replied he.

"It would not surprise me if yonder sea- dogs did not wait till then." After that we sat and watched the beacon-fires ashore blaze up one after another and spread the news of our coming far and wide.

Presently, too, the moon came up, and by its light looking westward we could discern sails to windward, which fluttered nearer and nearer, till it seemed a shot from one of our pieces could reach them.