I just stood alone; there weren't no one to back me up in choosing to die rather than to serve, and so I says, 'I will join you, captain.' I don't say I was right, lad; I don't say I didn't act as a coward; but I think most young chaps with my bringing up, and placed as I was, would have done the same.

There's many as would have said 'no' if they had had comrades and friends looking on, but I don't think there's many as would have said 'no' if they had stood all alone as I did.
"I can't say as I blame myself much about that business, though I have thought it over many a score of times; but anyhow, from the first I made up my mind that at the very first chance I would get away from them.

I knew the chance wasn't likely to come for some time--still there it was; and during all the black scenes I took part in on board that ship I was always telling myself that I was there against my will.
"It was the brig as I was to go in.

And as soon as that little matter of the crew was settled all hands set to work to shift the cargo from the ship aboard the pirates.

Wonderful quick they did it too; and when I thought how long that cargo had taken to get on board, it was wonderful how soon they whipped it out of her.