ll when we fight; but I cannot commit deliberate murder either at
sea or on shore, and so I tell them. If any one else could navigate
the vessel, I should be superseded immediately."

"I am glad to hear you say what you have, captain, it makes me less
dissatisfied at finding myself here. Well; I have said all I can, and
I must trust to you to manage with your ship's company."

"It will be a difficult job," said he, musing.

"Tell them," replied I, "that I was once a captain of a vessel like
this (after all, there is not so much difference between a pirate and
privateer as you may think)--and that I will not be under the command
of any one."

"If they hear that, they will give you the command of this vessel."

"I will refuse to take it; and give my reasons."

"Well; I'll tell them that: I leave you to settle with them how you
can; but," added he, in a low tone; "there are some desperate villains
among them."

"That I take for granted," replied I; "so now I leave you to speak to
them."

Toplift did so. He told them that I was a pirate captain, who had lost
his vessel and been thrown on shore, but I refused to join any ship
except as captain of her; that I would not serve as first officer, and
would obey no one. He told them that he knew me before, and he
narrated the business at Bordeaux when I commanded a privateer,
extolling me, as I afterwards found, beyond all measure.

The crew, having heard what he had to say, went forward, and, after
consultation, came to Toplift and said that I must take the oath.

Toplift replied that he had desired me so to do, and that I had
answered that I would not. "But," said he, "you had better speak to
him yourselves. Call all hands aft and hear what he has to say."

This was done, and I was sent for.

"I have told them what you said, Sir. I don't know your name."

"I have no name," replied I, proudly, "except 'Captain'--that's my
name."

The fact is, Madam, I was determined to carry it out bravely; knowing
that it is the best way to deal with such people as I now had in hand.

"Well, then, Captain, I have told the men that you will not take the
oath."

"Take the oath," replied I, with scorn; "no; I administer the oath to
others. I make them take it. I make them swear fidelity to me. Such
has been my conduct, and I shall not depart from it."

"Well, but, Captain Toplift, you don't mean to say that he is to
remain on board with us and not take the oath," said a surly-l