The pirate accordingly conducted the unsuspecting stranger away from the only safe harbor in the island, and led him through a complete labyrinth of reefs and rocks, to the bay on the other side, in which he knew full well there was scarcely enough of water to float his own little schooner.

With perfect confidence in his guide, the unfortunate captain of the merchantman followed until both vessels were in the comparatively still and sheltered waters of the bay.  Here Manton suddenly put down the helm, brought his vessel up to the wind, and allowed the stranger to pass in.

“Hold on about sixty fathoms further, and then let go your anchor,” he shouted, as the ship went steadily on to her doom.

“Aye, aye, and thank’ee,” cried the captain, who had already taken in nearly all sail and was quite prepared to anchor.

But Manton knew that before twenty fathoms more should be passed over by the ship she would run straight on a coral reef, which rose to within about five feet of the surface of the sea.  In an exposed place this reef would have formed a line of breakers; but in its sheltered position the water gave no indication of its existence.  The gale, though not blowing direct into the bay, entered it in a sufficiently straight line to carry the ship onward with great speed, notwithstanding the reduction made in her canvas.

“Stand by to let go the anchor,” cried her captain.

That was his last order.  Scarcely had the words passed his lips when the ship struck with a shock that caused her to quiver like a leaf from stem to stern.  All the top-masts with their yards and rigging went over the side, and in one instant the fine vessel was a total wreck.

The rest of the story is soon told.  The pirates, showing their true colors, ran alongside and took possession without opposition; for the crew of the merchantman were so overwhelmed by the suddenness and appalling nature of the calamity that had befallen them that they had no heart to resist.

Of course it was out of the question that the crew of the Brilliant could be allowed to remain on the island.  Some of the pirates suggested that they should be put on a raft, towed to leeward of the island, and, when out of sight of it, be cast adrift to float about until they should be picked up or get blown on one of the numerous islands that lay to the southward of the rendezvous.  Manton and Scraggs advocated this plan, but the better-disposed among the men protested against such needless cruelty, and suggested that it would be better to put them into the long-boat of the ship, bandage their eyes, then tow them out of sight of land, and cast them loose to steer where they pleased.

This plan was adopted and carried into execution.  Then the pirates returned, and at their leisure unloaded and secured the cargo of their prize.  It was richer than they had anticipated, being a miscellaneous cargo of valuable commodities for the trading stores of some of the South Sea merchants and settlers.