said so--"

"No, no, out boats," cried they all, and simultaneously ran to lower
down the boats, for it was now calm, that they might tow the schooner
alongside of the Transcendant.

"You might as well talk to the wind as talk to them when there is
plunder to be obtained," said Toplift to me in a low tone.

"Come down with me," said I, "and I will tell you what I have heard."

"Ain't they going to plunder the brig?" said Master Peleg, when we came
down; "I know where father's dollars are," and up he ran on deck.

I made a short remark upon the depravity of the boy, and then informed
Captain Toplift of what he had told me.

"If you had told them, they would not have paid attention to you. The
boat's crew who came with the captain have told them that there is money
on board, and all authority is now at an end."

"Well," replied I, "I believe that the boy has told the truth."

"And what do you mean to do?"

"Remain below quietly, if I am allowed," replied I.

"But I cannot," said he; "they would throw me overboard."

"Make as bad a fight of it as you can," replied I.

"That I will," said Captain Toplift, "and with so superior a force
opposed, we cannot stand long. But I must tell you where you must be."

"Where?" replied I.

"At the entrance of the magazine, for as sure as we stand here they will
blow up the vessel rather than be taken. Not all of them, but two or
three I know are determined so to do, and resolute enough to do it. My
pistols are there. You have only to open this door, and you are in the
magazine passage. See," said he, opening the door, "there is the
scuttle where they hand the powder up."

"I will be on the watch, depend upon it; and, Captain Toplift, if the
schooner is taken, and I am alive, you may have no fear for yourself."

"Now let us go on deck again."

"I will follow you," replied I.

"I am alone at last, thank Heaven!" said I to myself. "What a position
am I in, and how much will be in suspense before twenty-four hours are
over! My own brother here, not ten miles perhaps from me, commanding
the vessel which will attack this on which I am on board. That they
will take us I have no doubt; but what risk do I run--of death by shot,
or by their blowing up the vessel in spite of me, or of no quarter being
given. Well, I wish it were decided. At all events, I am long supposed
dead, and I shall not be recognised among the heaps of the bodies."

I then went to the locker