I knew the brig was a slow sailer, but how in the name of honesty could she be suffered in broad daylight to fall into such a fate?
I remembered the hostility of the Englishmen, and feared she had had foul play.

Just after Christmas-tide I expected two ships to replenish the stock in my store.

They arrived safe, but only by the skin of their teeth, for both had been chased from their first entrance into American waters, and only their big topsails and a favouring wind brought them off.

I examined the captains closely on the matter, and they were positive that their assailant was not Cosh or any one of his kidney, but a ship of the Brethren, who ordinarily were on the best of terms with our merchantmen.
My suspicions now grew into a fever.

I had long believed that there was some connivance between the pirates of the coast and the English traders, and small blame to them for it.