thought it would just suit.

And all the time the crew of the "Jolly Roger" looked angrily back at
shore.

"Splash!"

A big stone fell near them. No, it wasn't a stone. It was a--cannon
ball! The pirates on shore were trying to knock holes in their ship!

"You're awful shots," the Captain jeered fearlessly. "We're coming
ashore to capture your cannon." He was very brave through all these
trying times--and so were the crew. And they just turned their ship
around and headed straight for the shore, though the cannon balls fell
all around them.

But now a more terrible danger threatened. For the rascals on shore
had seized long poles and were reaching out over the water, trying to
smash holes in the ship, to stove in its hull.

"They're grapplin' irons and marlin spikes," explained the Captain,
"and very terrible weapons." He must have been right, for he knew the
ways of the sea.

Meantime the ship was beginning to rock. The crew looked around for
rescue, but none was in sight.

"We'll sink your ole ship," shouted Pirate Fatty. "You're awful
sailors."