What those designs were, however, still remained a secret, buried in the bosom of the Rover alone.

Doubt, wonder, and distrust were, each in its turn, to be traced, not only in the features of his captives, but in those of his own crew.  Throughout the whole of the long night, which had succeeded the events of the important day just past, he had been seen to pace the poop in brooding silence.  The little he had uttered was merely to direct the movements of the vessel; and when any ventured, with other design, to approach his person, a sign, that none there dared to disregard, secured him the solitude he wished.  Once or twice, indeed, the boy Roderick was seen hovering at his elbow, but it was as a guardian spirit would be fancied to linger near the object of its care, unobtrusively, and, it might almost be added, invisible.  When, however, the sun came burnished and glorious, out of the waters of the east a gun was fired, to bring a coaster to the side of the “Dolphin;” and then it seemed that the curtain was to be raised on the closing scene of the drama.  With his crew assembled on the deck beneath, and the principal personages among his captives beside him on the poop, the Rover addressed the former.

“Years have united us by a common fortune,” he said:  “We have long been submissive to the same laws.  If I have been prompt to punish, I have been ready to obey.  You cannot charge me with injustice.  But the covenant is now ended.  I take back my pledge, and I return you your faiths.  Nay, frown not—­hesitate not—­murmur not!  The compact ceases and our laws are ended.  Such were the conditions of the service.  I give you your liberty, and little do I claim in return.  That you need have no grounds of reproach, I bestow my treasure.  See,” he added, raising that bloody ensign with which he had so often braved the power of the nations, and exhibiting beneath it sacks of that metal which has so long governed the world; “see!  This was mine; it is now yours.  It shall be put in yonder coaster:  there I leave you, to bestow it, yourselves, on those you may deem most worthy.  Go; the land is near.  Disperse, for your own sakes:  Nor hesitate; for, without me, well do ye know that vessel of the King would be your master.  The ship is already mine, of all the rest, I claim these prisoners alone for my portion.  Farewell!”

Silent amazement succeeded this unlooked-for address.  There was, indeed, for a moment, some disposition to rebel; but the measures of the Rover had been too well taken for resistance.  The “Dart” lay on their beam, with her people at their guns, matches lighted, and a heavy battery.  Unprepared, without a leader, and surprised, opposition would have been madness.  The first astonishment had scarce abated, before each freebooter rushed to secure his individual effects, and to transfer them to the deck of the coaster.  When all but the crew of a single boat had left the “Dolphin,” the promised gold was sent, and then the loaded craft was seen hastily seeking the shelter of some secret creek.  During this scene, the Rover had again been silent as death.  He next turned to Wilder; and, making a mighty but successful effort to still his feelings, he added,—­