with
a band of red velvet. In this disgusting condition the body had been
brought up from the cabin at noon to be thrown overboard, when the mate
getting a glimpse of it (for he now saw it for the first time), and
being either touched with remorse for his crime or struck with terror at
so horrible a sight, ordered the men to sew the body up in its
hammock, and allow it the usual rites of sea-burial. Having given these
directions, he went below, as if to avoid any further sight of his
victim. While preparations were making to obey his orders, the gale came
on with great fury, and the design was abandoned for the present. The
corpse, left to itself, was washed into the larboard scuppers, where
it still lay at the time of which I speak, floundering about with the
furious lurches of the brig.

Having arranged our plan, we set about putting it in execution as
speedily as possible. Peters went upon deck, and, as he had anticipated,
was immediately accosted by Allen, who appeared to be stationed more as
a watch upon the forecastle than for any other purpose. The fate of
this villain, however, was speedily and silently decided; for Peters,
approaching him in a careless manner, as if about to address him, seized
him by the throat, and, before he could utter a single cry, tossed
him over the bulwarks. He then called to us, and we came up. Our first
precaution was to look about for something with which to arm ourselves,
and in doing this we had to proceed with great care, for it was
impossible to stand on deck an instant without holding fast, and
violent seas broke over the vessel at every plunge forward. It was
indispensable, too, that we should be quick in our operations, for every
minute we expected the mate to be up to set the pumps going, as it was
evident the brig must be taking in water very fast. After searching
about for some time, we could find nothing more fit for our purpose
than the two pump-handles, one of which Augustus took, and I the other.
Having secured these, we stripped off the shirt of the corpse and
dropped the body overboard. Peters and myself then went below, leaving
Augustus to watch upon deck, where he took his station just where Allen
had been placed, and with his back to the cabin companionway, so that,
if any of the mates gang should come up, he might suppose it was the
watch.

As soon as I got below I commenced disguising myself so as to represent
the corpse of Rogers. The shirt which we had taken