before me."

The men of the coast-guard glanced at their commander, and receiving a
surly nod, obeyed. But the prisoner could not stand as yet; he gasped
for breath, and some one set him on a chair.

"Your Worship, this is a mere matter of form," said Carroway, still
keeping eyes on his prey; "if I had my own way, I would not trouble you
at all, and I believe it to be quite needless. For this man is an outlaw
felon, and not entitled to any grace of law; but I must obey my orders."

"Certainly you must, Lieutenant Carroway, even though you are better
acquainted with the law. You are ready to be sworn? Take this book, and
follow me."

This being done, the worthy magistrate prepared to write down what the
gallant officer might say, which, in brief, came to this, that having
orders to seize Robin Lyth wherever he might find him, and having sure
knowledge that said Robin was on board of a certain schooner vessel, the
Elizabeth, of Goole, the which he had laden with goods liable to duty,
he, Charles Carroway, had gently laid hands on him, and brought him to
the nearest justice of the peace, to obtain an order of commitment.

All this, at fifty times the length here given, Lieutenant Carroway
deposed on oath, while his Worship, for want of a clerk, set it down in
his own very neat handwriting. But several very coaly-looking men, who
could scarcely be taught to keep silence, observed that the magistrate
smiled once or twice; and this made them wait a bit, and wink at one
another.

"Very clear indeed, Lieutenant Carroway," said Dr. Upround, with
spectacles on nose. "Good Sir, have the kindness to sign your
deposition. It may become my duty to commit the prisoner, upon
identification. Of that I must have evidence, confirmatory evidence. But
first we will hear what he has to say. Robin Lyth, stand forward."

"Me no Robin Lyth, Sar; no Robin man or woman," cried the captive,
trying very hard to stand; "me only a poor Francais, make liberty to
what you call--row, row, sweem, sweem, sail, sail, from la belle France;
for why, for why, there is no import to nobody."

"Your Worship, he is always going on about imports," Cadman said,
respectfully; "that is enough to show who he is."

"You may trust me to know him," cried Lieutenant Carroway. "My
fine fellow, no more of that stuff! He can pass himself off for any
countryman whatever. He knows all their jabber, Sir, better than his
own. Put a cork between his teeth, Hackerbody. I