Which was the better condition, we leave it for the reader to decide. The only other occupant of the cave was a negro boy of about fourteen or fifteen years of age, known by the name of Black Bill. He seemed to be a simple, half-witted, harmless fellow, and assisted Lightfoot in doing the drudgery about the place. "What have you got in your basket, Lightfoot?" asked Captain Flint. "Wine," replied the Indian. "Away with your wine," said the captain; "we must have something stronger than that. Give us some brandy; some fire-water. Where's Black Bill?" he continued. "In de kitchen fixin' de fire," said Lightfoot. "All right, let him heat some water," said the captain; "and now, boys, we'll make a night of it," he said, turning to his men. The place here spoken of by Lightfoot as the kitchen, was a recess of several feet in the side of the cave, at the back of which was a crevice or fissure in the rock, extending to the outside of the mountain. This crevice formed a natural chimney through which the smoke could escape from the fire that was kindled under it. The water was soon heated, the table was covered with bottles, decanters and glasses of the costliest manufacture. Cold meats of different kinds, and an infinite variety of fruits were produced, and the feasting commenced. CHAPTER IV. Yes, the pirate and his crew were now seated round the table for the purpose as he said, of making a night of it. And a set of more perfect devils could hardly be found upon the face of the earth. And yet there was nothing about them so far as outward appearance was concerned, that would lead you to suppose them to be the horrible wretches that they really were. With the exception of Jones Bradley, there was not one among them who had not been guilty of almost every crime to be found on the calender of human depravity. For some time very little was said by any of the party, but after a while as their blood warmed under the influence of the hot liquor, their tongues loosened, and they became more talkative. And to hear them, you would think that a worthier set of men were no where to be found. Not that they pretended to any extraordinary degree of virtue, but then they had as much as anyone else. And he who pretended to any more, was either a hypocrite or a fool. To be sure, they robbed, and murdered, and so did every one else, or would if they found it to their interest to do so. "Hallo! Tim," shouted one of the men to another who sat at the opposite side of the table; "where is that new song that you learned the other day?" "I've got it here," replied the person referred to, putting his finger on his forehead. "Out with it, then." "Let's have it," said the other. The request being backed by the others Tim complied as follows. THE BUCCANEER. Fill up the bowl, Through heart and soul, Let the red wine circle free, Here's health and cheer, To the Buccaneer, The monarch of the sea!