Part 13 (2/2)
”Mynheers and I have always been friendly, and if yonder vessel has any spars on board, I doubt not that her Captain will gladly supply us with anything ant”
The stranger soon drew near, and Captain Benbow having explained his wants, which were indeed very evident, the Dutch Captain at once offered not only to furnish hi aletting theer was the _Elephant_, Captain Coop Captain Benbow by reputation, said that he was delighted to be of service to hiside each other, their crews busily engaged with the work in hand, another shi+p was approaching, which was not discovered till she was a couple ofher, expressed his astonishment and annoyance
”She is French,” he exclai a proper look-out, I have allowed ht”
”But I cannot perht by the Frenchman,” said Captain Benbow
”Thanks, friend,” answered the Dutch Captain ”I would willingly not expose you to an attack from the Frenchman, but I cannot help myself
See, the wind has fallen completely; it has beco, a boat was seen to put off froer, and as she approached, it was observed that she was full of aruns to be loaded and run out, and directed hison board his shi+p, followed his exaside
Captain Benbow stood at the gangway
”You are welcome to come on board if you visit us as a friend,” he said, ”but I cannot allow you to step on my deck if you approach as an enemy”
”Whither are you bound, and to what nation do you belong?” asked the stranger
”I alish,” answered Benbow, ”and am bound from Cadiz to the Thames
You, I see by the colours you carry, are French”
”What is the other vessel alongside you?” asked the French Captain
”She is Dutch, and has delayed her voyage to renderfreshbeen carried away in the gale”
”I regret to have to interfere with her, but I , make her my prize,” said the French Captain
”If you make prize of her you ratitude I cannot allow her to be captured while I have the , I must take her, for I am bound to make prizes of all Dutch vessels I fall in with,” answered the stranger
”At present, my friend, I think we are more likely to make you and your boat's crew prisoners,” said Captain Benbow ”See, you are under our guns, and I have only to give the word, and we can sink you in a ive me your word that you will let this vessel escape, and I promise not to make prisoners of you and your boat's crehich I shall otherwise most certainly do”
”Who are you?” asked the French Captain, standing up in his boat He appeared to be in the priure, and a fine bold handsome countenance
”John Benbow, at your service,” answered the Captain ”May I ask your na of France I am pretty well known in these seas”
”That indeed you are; a better seaman does not sail out of Dunkerque,”
answered Benbow ”I have often heard of you and your doings, and froe that you can afford to let one go without any loss to your reputation or purse I tell you frankly that I a you”
Captain Bart looked pleased at the compliment paid him