ar,
and he knew too well that he had little mercy to expect.

"Now, sir," said Sir Robert, with a stern air, "hear the accusation
against you, for, although we may be lawless, we will still be just.
You voluntarily entered into our service, and received our pay. You
were one of us, with only this difference, that we have taken up the
cause from principle and loyalty, and you joined us from mercenary
motives. Still, we kept our faith with you; for every service
performed, you were well and honourably paid. But you received our
money and turned against us; revealed our secrets, and gave information
to your Government, by which that gentleman (pointing to Ramsay) and
many others, had not they fortunately received timely notice, would have
perished by the gibbet. Now, sir, I wish to know what you can bring
forward in your defence, what have you to urge that you should not die
the death which you so traitorously prepared for others?"

"Die!" exclaimed Vanslyperken, "no--no--mercy, sir--mercy. I am not fit
to die."

"Few are: but this is certain--that a villain like you is not fit to
live."

"On my knees, I ask mercy," cried the frightened wretch, dropping down.
"Mr Ramsay, speak for me."

"I will speak," replied Ramsay, "but not for you. I will show you, that
even if you were to escape us, you would still be hung; for, all your
extracts of the despatches I have, with full explanation, put into the
hands of the English Government. Do you expect mercy from them?--they
have not showed much as yet."

"O God--O God!" exclaimed Vanslyperken, throwing himself down on the
deck in despair.

"Now, my lads, you have heard the charges against this man, and also
that he has no defence to offer; what is your sentence?"

"Death!" exclaimed the conspirators.

"You men, belonging to the cutter, you have heard that this man has
betrayed the present Government of England, in whose pay and service he
was at the time--what is your opinion?"

Hereupon, Obadiah Coble hitched up his trousers, and said, "Why, as a
matter of opinion, I agrees with you, sir, whomsoever you may be."

"Mein Gott! yes, sir," exclaimed the corporal.

And all the crew cried out together, "Death--death!" which, by-the-bye,
was very mutinous.

"You perceive that you are doubly condemned as a double traitor," said
Sir Robert. "So prepare to die; the religion you profess I know not,
but the time you will be allowed to make your peace with your God, is