ion, he may be
induced to tell us where it lies."

"True. I had forgotten that fellow altogether. Let him be sent for."

In a few minutes Surly Dick stepped on the quarter-deck and touched his
cap. He did not appear to have grown less surly since his introduction
on board the frigate. Discipline had evidently a souring effect on his
temper.

"Your late comrades have escaped me," said the first lieutenant; "but
you may depend upon it, I will catch the villains in the long run."

"It'll be a pretty long run before you do," remarked the man, sulkily.

Mulroy looked sternly at him. "You forget," said he, "that you are a
prisoner. Let me advise you to be at least _civil_ in your manner and
tone. Whether the run shall be a long or a short one remains to be seen.
One thing is pretty certain; namely, that your own run of life will be a
_very_ short one. You know the usual doom of a, pirate when he is
caught."

Surly Dick moved uneasily. "I was made a pirate against my will," said
he, in a still more sulky tone and disrespectful manner.

"You will find it difficult to prove that," returned Mulroy. "Meanwhile
I shall put you in irons, and treat you as you deserve, until I can
place you in the hands of the civil authorities."

Surly Dick stood first on one leg and then on the other; moved his
fingers about nervously, and glanced in the lieutenant's face furtively.
It was evident that he was ill at ease.

"I never committed murder, sir," said he, in an improved tone. "It
wasn't allowed on board of the Avenger, sir. It's a hard case that a
fellow should be made a pirate by force, and then be scragged for it,
though he's done none o' the bloody work."

"This may be true," rejoined the lieutenant; "but, as I have said, you
will find it difficult to convince your judges of it. But you will
receive a fair trial. There is one thing, however, that will stand in
your favor, and that is a full and free confession. If you make this,
and give me all the information you can in order to bring your late
comrades to justice, your judges will perhaps be disposed to view your
case leniently."

"Wot more _can_ I confess, sir?" said Dick, beginning to look a little
more interested. "I've already confessed that I was made a pirate
against my will, and that I've never done no murder; though I _have_
plundered a little, just like the rest. As for helpin' to bring my
comrades to justice, I only wish as I know'd how, and I'd do it right
off,