about seven o'clock
The pirates were for keeping me on board all night , that they might , as they were pleased to say , entertain me in a decent fashion . But I , having gained possession of the precious despatch-box , and trembling with anxiety lest by some sudden shift of luck it should be taken away from me again , was most eagerly anxious to take myself away . England himself urged my departure . So about seven o'clock I was put ashore , with the despatch-box in my possession , giving thanks that I had come off from my adventure with such exceeding good fortune , for I felt that I had not only recovered the most precious prize of all , but England had promised to do his uttermost to hold the others to their written agreement , saying that if he were successful he would depart in two days , leaving the bales of goods behind upon the shore . England himself chose a crew to row me across the beach , and I have no doubt selected the least reprehensible of all the gang ; for although they said little to me , they showed no disposition either to be insolent or to offer violence to me ; one of them even took off his jacket and laid it in the stern-sheets for me to sit upon . And truly , in spite of their wicked ways , there is not so much difference betwixt some of these fellows and the common sailors in our merchant service , excepting that the poor wretches have been led astray by evil counsel until they have broken the laws and committed outrages upon the high-seas , and so are become outlawed and desperate . Moreover , I believe there are many of them who would return to better ways had they opportunity of so doing , and were not afraid of suffering for the evil things which they have committed .