I was not disheartened, Excellency; no, not I.
Women are plentiful while we are young.

So, without a ducat in my pocket or a crust for my teeth, I set out to seek my fortune on board of a Spanish merchantman.

That was duller work than I expected; but luckily we were attacked by a pirate,--half the crew were butchered, the rest captured.

I was one of the last: always in luck, you see, signor,--monks' sons have a knack that way! The captain of the pirates took a fancy to me.

'Serve with us ?' said he.