noon
Captain Wellsby discussed it with his officers and it was agreed that the able-bodied pirates should be left to build a raft for themselves , taking their own wounded with them . This was more mercy than they had any right to expect . The strapping young Devonshire boatswain , with his head tied up , was for leaving the blackguards to drown in the forecastle but the shipmaster was too humane a man for that . It was drawing toward noon when the first mate descried land to the westward , a bit of low coast almost level with the sea . In the light air the sluggish ship moved ever so slowly , with canvas spread on the fore and mizzen masts . Spirits revived and life tasted passing sweet . To drift in the open sea upon wave-washed rafts was an expedient which all mariners shuddered to contemplate .