How long have you been with them ?' "'Less than six months, sir.' "'How old are you ?' "'I am not seventeen yet.

I was boy on board the Jane and William.

We were taken by the pirates on our way back from Rio, and all except me killed or thrown overboard.' "'And you bought your life by agreeing to sail with them, I suppose ?' the captain said contemptuously.
"'I did, sir,' I said; 'but I was the last they asked; all the others had gone, and there warn't no one to back me up.' "'Well, boy, you know what your fate will be,' the captain said; 'there's no mercy for pirates.' "The next day the captain sent for me again, and I took heart a little, for I thought if they had made up their minds to hang me they wouldn't have questioned me.
"'Look here, lad,' the captain said; 'you are the youngest of the prisoners, and less steeped in crime than any here, therefore I will at once make you an offer.

If you will direct us to the lair of the pirates, I promise your life shall be spared.' "'I don't know the latitude and longitudes sir,' I said, 'and I doubt if any besides the captain and one or two others do, but I know pretty well whereabout it is.

We always set sail at night and came in at night, and none was allowed on deck except the helmsman and two or three old hands till morning; but when I was ashore and on duty at the lookout I noticed three trees growing together just at the edge of the cliff at the point where it was highest, two miles away from the entrance to the cove.