He seemed to be looking down upon me so, in spite of my being an officer; but I could not boast of my strength, and remained silent for a time.
"Do you think they are likely to get on board, sir ?" "Oh no," he said.

"We shall not give them a chance.

Once the captain is sure that they are the pirates, if we are lucky enough to lure them well out from the shore, the men will be ordered up to the guns, and we shall give them a few broadsides, and sink them." "It sounds horrid, sir," I said.

"Then they'll never have a chance to fight us ?" "Not if we can help it, my lad.

But, as you say, it does sound horrid, and rather cowardly; but what would you do with a poisonous snake?
You would not give it a chance to strike at you first, if you met it and had a loaded gun in your hands ?" "Of course not, sir," I said quickly.
"Well, these wretches are as dangerous as venomous serpents, and, after what you saw on board that barque, you do not think we need be squeamish about ridding the earth of such monsters ?" "No, sir, not a bit," I said quickly.
"Neither do I, Herrick.