midnight
For after sending Atkins and two of the worst fast bound to the cave , and the rest being committed to my bower , I sent the Captain to treat with them in the , governor 's name , offering them pardon if they would assist in recovering the ship . Upon which they all promised to stand by him till the last drop of their blood ; and whoever acted treacherously , should be hanged in chains upon the beach . They were all released on these assurances : and then the Captain repaired to the other boat , making his passenger Captain of her , and gave him four men well armed ; while himself , his mate , and five more , went in the other boat . By midnight they came within call of the ship , when the Captain ordered Robinson to hale her , and tell them that with great difficulty they had found the men at last . But while they were discoursing , the Captain , his mate and the rest entered , and knocked down the second mate and carpenter , secured those that were upon the deck , by putting them under hatches , while the other boat 's crew entered and secured the forecastle ; they then broke into the round-house , where the mate after some resistance , shot the pirate captain through the head , upon which all the rest yielded themselves prisoners . And thus the ship being recovered , the joyful signal was fired , which I heard with the greatest joy imaginable : nor was it long before he brought the ship to an anchor at the creek 's mouth , where , coming to me unawares , _ There _ , says he _ my dearest friend and deliverer , there is your ship , and we are your servants _ : a comfort so unspeakable , as made me swoon in his arms while , with gratitude to Heaven , we were tenderly embracing each other . Nothing now remaining , but to consult what we should do with the prisoners , whom he thought it was not safe to take on board .