Beside, we can take the best goods out, and if the ship isn't worth the risk of sending to France burn her.

Then, too, one can spare hands for prizes better there; because one can always ship a few fresh hands--Spaniards, Mulattos, or blacks--in their place." "But you can't do that in the case of the Indiamen." "No; but a single laden Indiaman is enough to pay us well for all our trouble.

We can put a crew of thirty hands on board her and send her home.

There is little risk of a recapture till we get near France.

We have only to hoist the English flag if we do happen to meet anything." Ralph was glad to hear that the ship was bound for the West Indies, as he thought opportunities for escape would be likely to present themselves among the islands.