MERCHANT ADVENTURERS 13 



mad drunk. In that unserviceable state they jumped 

 into the boats and shoved off, but were drowned in a 

 cross-sea which half a gale of wind had raised. One 

 boat was left for Jinks, Cummins, and Shepherd, the 

 only three who remained on board. Jinks stayed 

 because he had faith in his luck, and hoped to escape 

 by the remaining boat ; he was also earnestly wishful 

 to get away a heavy box to which he attached great 

 value, and which the drunkards might have prevented 

 him from removing peacefully. 



As the Swallow and Garland approached, the 

 pirate, who had been below for some time, appeared 

 on deck, tugging at his box. Having ordered 

 Cummins and Shepherd to help him to get it into the 

 only remaining boat, which was drawn up close under 

 the stern, several bags of bread and kegs of spirit, a 

 barrel of water, and a compass were lowered. Then 

 the captain told the men to get into the boat as smartly 

 as he did, for he had fired a slow-train leading into the 

 powder-room ; and in ten minutes, if they were not a 

 good distance from the Tyger, they would all be blown 

 to the devil with her. The order was obeyed with 

 ready zeal, and the boat was only a few hundred yards 

 away when the ship, having a large store of powder, 

 blew up with a terrific roar, lighting the sea for miles 

 around. 



Doom now, and at last, overtook the rover. He 

 had risen in the stern-sheets to behold the havoc 

 wrought by his slow-train, and while gazing at the 

 appalling spectacle he was struck on the head by a 

 descending spar, and instantly killed. The same 

 missile stove in the water-cask. It was lucky for 



