Why not?" said one of the men, with his face broadening
into a hearty grin.

"And that's why I, an officer in the Navy, feel friendly disposed to a
set of smart fellows who used to serve the Queen."

"Ay, ay, sir! We served the Queen," came in a murmur.

"You did it in ignorance, no doubt, but in what you are doing you are
offenders against the law, and may at any time be taken, and perhaps be
strung up to the yardarm after a short trial. Certainly you will be
severely punished."

A low murmur of dissent, almost derision, came from the little knot of
men, and one of them laughed.

"You don't believe me," cried Fitz. "It is true. And now listen to
what I say, one and all; I call upon you in the Queen's name to obey my
orders, for I take possession of this schooner as an officer in Her
Majesty's service. In the Queen's name!"

There was a low murmur of mingled surprise and derision at this.

"Silence, there!" cried Fitz. "I know that I am a very young officer to
speak to you, but I am in the Queen's Navy, and I order you in Her
Majesty's name to obey all my commands. I am going to sail at once for
Kingston, where I have no doubt there will be a man-of-war on the
station, and if you behave well I shall speak to the captain and get him
to make it easy for you, but of course I shall give up the skipper and
his son as prisoners."

"Here, say something, Chips," growled one of the men; and the carpenter
spoke out.

"Say, squire, won't that be rather hard on them?"

"Silence, sir! How dare you! That is not the way for a common sailor
to address an officer."

"Beg pardon, sir, but I am not a common sailor; I am a hartisan. Why,
you know--the Chips."

There was a titter here.

"Attention!" roared Fitz. "This is no laughing matter, my lads.
Perhaps each man's life, certainly his liberty, is at stake."

"Ay, ay, sir!" came in a growl.

"That's better," said Fitz. "Now, I don't want to be hard on you, my
lads."

"Hear, hear! Thank you, sir," cried the carpenter.

"And I should be sorry to be harsh to any man; but once more, as an
officer in the Royal Navy, I have got my duty to do, and I mean to do
it."

"Ay, ay, sir!" came again, in a low acquiescent growl. "But he needn't
keep on a-telling us."

"Those men who stand by me and do their duty in navigating this vessel
shall have ample pay and reward."

"What about prize-money, sir?" shouted a voice.

"There'll be no prize-money."

The men g