d
ourselves all to the devil together. Out of the way there."

"Stand back," said I.

"Stand back," replied he, pointing his pistol down to the magazine.

I threw up his arm, and the pistol went off, striking the beams above.

"Blast you," cried he, "whoever you are; but I've another," and he
attempted to draw it out of his belt; but before he could effect it I
blew out his brains with the pistol which I had ready cocked in my hand.

His companions started back, and I pointed my second pistol at them,
saying, "The man who comes forward this way dies."

As I said this the crew of the corvette, who had cleared the decks,
charged down below, and the pirates ran away and secreted themselves.
Perceiving them coming forward, I said to them, "Put a guard over the
magazine; they have attempted to blow up the vessel already."

"Who are you?" said an officer.

"A prisoner," replied I.

"Well, then, lead him on deck, and stay here, two of you; shut down the
magazine scuttle and keep guard."

"Thank Heaven," thought I, "that this affair is over," as a seaman led
me by the collar on deck, and handed me to others, who took me on board
of the corvette.

We were all put down below that remained out of the schooner's crew,
about eighteen or nineteen, not more, and I was glad to find Captain
Toplift, although badly wounded with a splinter, was among the number.
We remained there huddled together with a guard of ten men over us for
more than an hour, when we heard, from the conversation on deck, that
the schooner had sunk. After that the guns of the corvette were
secured, and the men had an allowance of liquor served out to them, the
watch was called, and all was quiet during the remainder of the night.
For some time I was in a state of excitement from the events of the last
twenty-four hours crowding so rapidly, but by degrees I became calm. I
asked one of the guard who was the captain 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 aslee