direction. The idea that the condemned man had a
Susan who would mourn over his untimely end touched a chord in the
hearts of many among the crowd. The reference to her sweet blue eyes at
such a moment raised a smile, and an extremely dismal but opportune howl
from poor Toozle raised a laugh.

Bumpus started and looked sternly on the crowd.

"You may think me a pirate," said he; "but I know enough of the feelin's
of honest men to expect no mercy from those wot can laugh at a
fellow-creetur in such an hour. You had better get the murder over as
soon as you can. I am ready--Stay! one moment more. I had almost forgot
it. There's a letter here that I want one o' you to take charge of. It's
the last I ever got from my Susan; and if I had taken her advice to let
alone havin' to do with all sandal-wood traders, I'd never ha' bin in
such a fix as I am this day. I want to send it back to her with my
blessin' and a lock o' my hair. Is there an honest man among ye who'll
take in hand to do this for me?"

As he spoke, a young man, in a costume somewhat resembling that of a
sailor, pushed through the crowd, leaped upon the deal table on which Jo
stood, and removed the noose from his neck.

An exclamation of anger burst from those who surrounded the table; but a
sound something like applause broke from the crowd, and restrained any
attempt at violence. The young man at the same time held up his hand,
and asked leave to address them.

"Aye! aye! let's hear what he has got to That's it: speak up, Dan!"

The youth, whose dark olive complexion proclaimed him to be a
half-caste, and whose language showed that he had received at least the
rudiments of education, stretched out his hand and said:

"Friends, I do not stand here to interfere with justice. Those who seek
to give a pirate his just reward do well. But there has been doubt in
the minds of some that this man may not be a pirate. His own word is of
no value; but if I can bring forward anything to show that perhaps his
word is true, then we have no right to hang him till we have given him a
longer trial."

"Hear! hear!" from the white men in the crowd, and "Ho! ho!" from the
natives.

Meanwhile the young man, or Dan, as some one called him, turned to
Bumpus and asked for the letter to which he had referred. Being informed
that it was in the inside pocket of his jacket, the youth put his hand
in and drew it forth.

"May I read it? Your life may depend on what I find here."