The confidence with which he spoke inspired his followers with like feeling, and with countenances relighted by hope, they returned to their several stations. Their reliance upon their commander was unbounded. He had so often triumphed when even greater difficulties opposed, that they already felt sure of ultimate delivery, now that he had been restored to his former energy--they had mistaken the lethargy into which pain and weakness had thrown him for the torpor of despair. Again the joke and laugh went round, and already they began to compute their respective shares of booty in the vessel so soon to be theirs, they knew not how. "Haul down the ensign, in token that we surrender," cried the captain. A murmur of indignation and surprise arose from the crew. "What, men, do you doubt me? 'Tis but a feint. Haul down the flag and take in sail." The men obeyed with alacrity, for they already clearly comprehended the plan of their leader. It was his intention to entice the privateer alongside, and, well aware of his own superiority in numbers, to make a sudden onset upon her deck, and thus, contrary to all laws of honorable warfare, seize by foul means what could not be obtained in any other way. These pacific indications were viewed with some surprise on board the privateer. "By Heaven!" cried Lieut. Morris, "she's tired of this game soon." "Well, she had no other way to do; as it was we should have sunk her without receiving a shot." "It was a losing game for her, true enough." "Lay the brig alongside of her," shouted Captain Greene to his men. As his men with a cheer began to unfurl all sail, Captain Horton approached the commander of the privateer. He had up to this period ventured no interference, both from matter of delicacy, and because he saw nothing to disapprove of in the course pursued by Captain Greene. "My dear sir," said he, as he laid his hand upon the arm of the captain of the privateer, "allow me to say a word." "Certainly, sir," replied the courteous commander. "I ought sooner than this to have asked your advice." "I would not place too great confidence in the pirate's signal of surrender." "Do you apprehend foul play?" "Recollect the savage brutality which the fiend has already evinced, and judge for yourself whether he is worthy of being trusted at all." "You are right, sir. Lieut. Morris," continued he, turning to his young officer. "Ay, ay, sir." "Load the long gun with grape and canister, and wheel it abaft--load the larboard guns the same way. Now, my men, don't run too near her. She must send a boat aboard." The privateer approached within half a cable's length of the pirate. "Ship ahoy!" cried Captain Greene. No answer came from the pirate, but her head was rounded to, so as to bear directly down on the Raker. "Answer me, or I'll fire into you."