n of the
corvette.

"What's that to you, you gallows-bird?" replied he.

"A civil question might receive a civil reply," answered I.

"So it might with any one else; but if you don't want the hilt of my
cutlass down your throat, you will hold your tongue."

But I did not require to repeat the question, as I heard one of the
officers on deck say, "It's Captain Musgrave's orders."

This satisfied me, and I lay down with the rest of the prisoners,
waiting for daybreak, when I trusted my troubles would soon be over.
They were all sound asleep. Strange that men who knew that they would
be hanged In a few days, if not the next morning, should sleep so
sound--but so it was--while I, who had every reason to believe that my
sufferings were over, could not sleep one wink. I was, however, fully
satisfied with my own castle-buildings during the night, and more
satisfied when it was again broad daylight. After the men had had
their breakfast, an order came down for all the prisoners to be
brought on deck. We were led up under guard, and made to stand all in
a row. I looked round for my brother, but he was not on deck. It was
the first lieutenant who was there, with several other officers, and
the clerk, with pen and ink, to take down the names of the prisoners.

"Who was the captain of this vessel?" said the first lieutenant.

"I was, Sir," replied Toplift; "but much against my will."

"Oh, of course; every man was on board of her against his will. What
is your name? Put him down, Mr. Pearson. Any other officers alive?"

"No, Sir," replied Toplift.

The name of every man was then asked and put down, and it so happened
that I was the last; for, anxious to see my brother, I had walked up
the foremost, and they had commenced their interrogation at the other
end of the line.

"What is your name?"

"I do not belong to the schooner," replied I.

"Of course not; you dropped on board her from the clouds."

"No, Sir, I did not; I swam on board of her to save my life."

"Then you went out of the frying-pan into the fire, I reckon, my good
fellow, for your life is forfeited now."

"I rather think not, Sir," replied I. "On the contrary, I feel it is
quite safe."

"Give us none of your jaw, my good fellow, but give us your name."

"Certainly, Sir, if you require it. My name is Alexander Musgrave,
Sir," replied I; "I am the elder brother of your captain, Philip
Musgrave, and I will thank you to go into his cabin and inform h