I said that I abhorred the name and the deeds of pirates; that I would only consent to command them if they agreed never to shed human blood except in fair and open fight.
"They liked the idea.

There were men among them who had never heartily agreed to the seizing of the schooner, and who would have left her if I would have allowed them; these were much relieved to hear my proposal.
It was fixed that we should _rob_, but not _murder_.

Miserable fool that I was! I thought it was possible to go just so far and no farther into sin.

I did not know at that time the strength of the fearful current into which I had plunged.
"But we stuck to our principles.

We never did commit murder.