y fate
when, just after night-fall, one of the watch on deck called down the
hatchway,--

"Hallo there! one o' you, tumble up and light the cabin lamp, and send
that boy aft to the captain--sharp!"

"Now then, do you hear, youngster? the captain wants you. Look alive,"
said Bloody Bill, raising his huge frame from the locker on which he had
been asleep for the last two hours. He sprang up the ladder and I
instantly followed him, and, going aft, was shown into the cabin by one
of the men, who closed the door after me.

A small silver lamp which hung from a beam threw a dim soft light over
the cabin, which was a small apartment, and comfortably but plainly
finished. Seated on a camp-stool at the table, and busily engaged in
examining a chart of the Pacific, was the captain, who looked up as I
entered, and, in a quiet voice, bade me be seated, while he threw down
his pencil, and, rising from the table, stretched himself on a sofa at
the upper end of the cabin.

"Boy," said he, looking me full in the face, "what is your name?"

"Ralph Rover," I replied.

"Where did you come from, and how came you to be on that island? How
many companions had you on it? Answer me, now, and mind you tell no
lies."

"I never tell lies," said I, firmly.

The captain received this reply with a cold sarcastic smile, and bade me
answer his questions.

I then told him the history of myself and my companions from the time we
sailed till the day of his visit to the island, taking care, however, to
make no mention of the Diamond Cave. After I had concluded, he was
silent for a few minutes; then, looking up, he said--"Boy, I believe
you."

I was surprised at this remark, for I could not imagine why he should not
believe me. However, I made no reply.

"And what," continued the captain, "makes you think that this schooner is
a pirate?"

"The black flag," said I, "showed me what you are; and if any further
proof were wanting I have had it in the brutal treatment I have received
at your hands."

The captain frowned as I spoke, but subduing his anger he continued--"Boy,
you are too bold. I admit that we treated you roughly, but that was
because you made us lose time and gave us a good deal of trouble. As to
the black flag, that is merely a joke that my fellows play off upon
people sometimes in order to frighten them. It is their humour, and does
no harm. I am no pirate, boy, but a lawful trader,--a rough one, I grant
you, but o