The shots had evidently awakened French Pete, for the mainsail had been hoisted, and as he looked he saw the anchor broken out and the jib flung to the breeze.
"Can't land here!" the soldier shouted back.

"Smallpox!" "But I must!" he cried, choking down a half-sob and preparing to row.
"Then I 'll shoot you," was the cheering response, and the rifle came to shoulder again.
Joe thought rapidly.

The island was large.

Perhaps there were no soldiers farther on, and if he only once got ashore he did not care how quickly they captured him.

He might catch the smallpox, but even that was better than going back to the bay pirates.