"The _Caterina_," answered Don Lopez. "She is to sail under American colours, and will have American papers; a regular charter-party, the ship's roll, and instructions from her reputed owners. Ten of her crew are American seamen, the other twenty-five, who are Spaniards, will be called passengers. She has obtained all her papers from the American vice-consul, and I very much doubt that any of you men-of-war would have ventured to interfere with her, unless," and Don Lopez smiled, "it had been for the information I so freely give you. I hope you will take this into consideration in your further dealings with me." "I shall see about that," answered Jack, despising the Don, who had been so ready to betray his associates in the nefarious traffic. "At present you will please to accompany me on board my brig, as we are bound for Jamaica." The Don, with a grimace, stepped into the brig-of-war's boat followed by his officers. Jack afterwards conveyed also the greater part of the crew to the brig, where they were less likely to play tricks than if left on board their own vessel; he sent also for the greater portion of the crews and all the officers of the other schooners. The difficulty now, however, was how to man his prizes. He gave the command of the _Venus_ to Bevan, with Tom as his mate, and six hands. Norris, and another midshipman, had charge of one of the other schooners, with five hands; and Jos Green, with Desmond to assist him, had charge of the third, with the same number of men. He could ill spare so many hands, but he hoped by vigilance to keep the Spaniards in awe, and to navigate the _Supplejack_. These arrangements being completed, he made sail for Port Royal. Should the weather continue fine, the task might be an easy one; but should it come on to blow, shorthanded as he was, he would have no little difficulty in working the brig and looking after his numerous prisoners, many of whom were desperate ruffians, and might possibly try to capture the brig, and cut the throats of every one on board. His only alternative, therefore, to avoid the risk of this would be to treat them as they intended to treat the slaves--clap them in irons, and shut them down under hatches, or to place a sentry with orders to shoot the first who might attempt to regain his liberty. Needham highly approved of this plan. "It would serve them right, sir, if we were to do it at once, it would save us a great deal of trouble in looking after the beggars," he observed. "But Don Lopez considers himself a perfect gentleman, and will complain that he was barbarously treated if we were to do so without sufficient cause," remarked Jack. "I'd let him complain then, sir," answered Needham. "He may consider himself fortunate that we don't heave him and his villainous crew overboard."