Her crew were volunteers, many of them being men who had sailed with Stephen Craddock beforethe mate, Joshua Hird, an old slaver, had been his accomplice in many voyages, and came now at the bidding of his chief.

"No luck, then!" cried Joshua Hird, the mate, looking down with a pale face from the poop.

"How is this, Master Hird?" he cried, springing up the side.

Not one of them did he know save only Joshua Hird.

" "God forgive you for a coward, Joshua Hird.

If you would but sign the articles" "Enough, Joshua Hird!

They were armed men, kept in pay, and were called hird-men or court-men, because they were members of the king's hird or court.

They were armed men, kept in pay, and were called hird-men or court-men, because they were members of the king's hird or court.

Has your worthles freind Hird you to sweare this? Tho.

"Me hird!" replied Jock; "I dinna ken corn frae gerss.