I breathed more freely as I saw the last hulls grow small in the estuary.

For now, as I reasoned it out, the planters must begin to compare my prices with the Englishmen's, and must come to see where their advantage lay.
But I had counted my chickens too soon, and was to be woefully disappointed.

At that time all the coast of America from New England to the Main was infested by pirate vessels.

Some sailed under English letters of marque, and preyed only on the shipping of France, with whom we were at war.

Some who had formed themselves into a company called the Brethren of the Coast robbed the Spanish treasure-ships and merchantmen in the south waters, and rarely came north to our parts save to careen or provision.