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186 THE CRATER; he did not relish the sneer, as it indicated the treatment likely to be bestowed on his adopted country. Still, the case was not to be remedied except by the use of the means already provided, should his visitors see fit to resort to force. A desultory conversation now ensued, in which the strangers pretty plainly let their designs be seen. In the first place they demanded a surrender of all the craft be longing to the colony, big and little, together with all the naval stores. This condition complied with, the strangers intimated that it was possible their conquests would not be pushed much further. Of provisions, they stood in need of pork, and they understood that, the colony had hogs without number. If they would bring down to the island a hundred fat hogs, with barrels and salt, within twenty- four hours, it was probable, however, no further demand for provisions would be made. They, had obtained fifty barrels of very excellent flour at Rancocus Island, and could not conveniently stow more than that number, in addition to the demanded hundred barrels of pork. The admiral also required that hostages should be sent on board his ship, and that he should be provided with proper pilots, in order that he, and a party of suitable size, might take the Anne and the Martha, and go up to the town, which he understood lay some twenty or thirty miles within the group. Failing of an acquiescence in these terms, war, and war of the most ruthless character, was to be imme diately proclaimed. All attempts to obtain an announce ment of any national character, on the part of the strangers, was evaded ; though, from the appearance of everything he saw, the governor could not now have the smallest doubt that he had to do with pirates. After getting all out of the strangers that he could, and it was but little at the best, the governor quietly, but stea dily refused to accede to any one of the demands, and put the issue on the appeal to force. The strangers were ob viously disappointed at this answer, for the thoughtful, simple manner of Mark Woolston had misled them, and they had actually flattered themselves with obtaining all they wanted without a struggle. At first, the anger of the admiral threatened some treacherous violence on the spot,