lm
so that his little craft gradually turned from her course, and sailed
to meet the distant ship.

As the two vessels approached each other, the Reformed Pirate became
very much excited. He tightened his belt and loosened his sword in its
sheath. Hurriedly giving the helm to Corette, he went forward and
jerked a lot of ropes and hooks from a cubby-hole where they had been
stowed away. Then he pulled out a small, dark flag, with bits of
skeleton painted on it, and hoisted it to the top-mast.

By this time he had nearly reached the ship, which was a large
three-masted vessel. There seemed to be a great commotion on board;
sailors were running this way and that; women were screaming; and
officers could be heard shouting, "Put her about! Clap on more sail!"

But steadily on sailed the small boat, and the moment it came alongside
the big ship, the Reformed Pirate threw out grapnels and made the two
vessels fast together. Then he hooked a rope-ladder to the side of the
ship, and rushing up it, sprang with a yell on the deck of the vessel,
waving his flashing sword around his head!

"Down, dastards! varlets! hounds!" he shouted. "Down upon your knees!
Throw down your arms! SURRENDER!"

Then every man went down upon his knees, and threw down his arms and
surrendered.

"Where is your Captain?" roared their conqueror.

The Captain came trembling forward.

"Bring to me your gold and silver, your jewels and your precious
stones, and your rich stuffs!"

The Captain ordered these to be quickly brought and placed before the
Reformed Pirate, who continued to stride to and fro across the deck
waving his glittering blade, and who, when he saw the treasures placed
before him, shouted again:

"Prepare for scuttling!" and then, while the women got down on their
knees and begged that he would not sink the ship, and the children
cried, and the men trembled so that they could hardly kneel straight,
and the Captain stood pale and shaking before him, he glanced at the
pile of treasure, and touched it with his sword.

"Aboard with this, my men!" he said. "But first I will divide it. I
will divide this into,--into,--into _one_ part. Look here!" and then
he paused, glanced around, and clapped his hand to his head. He looked
at the people, the treasure and the ship. Then suddenly he sheathed his
sword, and stepping up to the Captain, extended his hand.

"Good sir," said he, "you must excuse me. This is a mistake. I had no
intention