they're ashore lookin' fur us, an' we're all right.
Didn't we say that we'd larn 'em a thing or two before we were done with
'em? They're the biggest dunces I ever saw. If they had any sense at all
they would know that we wouldn't desert our vessel fur good. How could
we get to our island without her, I'd like to know! Now, Xury, go back
with the jolly-boat an' bring two of the prisoners across."

While the jolly-boat was gone Sam and Tom made heavy inroads on the
crackers and cheese, and drank a good portion of the small supply of
water they had taken on board at the cove, and which was intended to
last until they reached the Elizabeth Islands. They were in excellent
spirits, and talked and laughed over their meal, telling wonderful
stories of what they intended to do when they reached their island, and
not forgetting to say a word or two concerning the robbers and the trick
they had played upon them. The jolly-boat came back in due time, with
Johnny and the lieutenant, who were pulled over the rail, conducted into
the cabin, and tumbled into the bunks--not, however, until their feet
had once more been securely bound. Johnny, especially, was very roughly
handled by Tom Newcombe, who said to him, as he pushed him about:

"I knew I'd have a chance to square yards with you. You will learn,
before I am done with you, that a man never makes any thing by imposing
upon me. Don't you think I should be serving you right if I were to give
you a good thrashing?"

Johnny, who was sitting on one of the bunks, looked down at Tom, and
watched him while he tied his feet, but had nothing to say.

"You tormented me almost to death while I was in the village," continued
the skipper. "If you passed me fifty times a day, you always had some
question to ask about the Crusoe band."

"Well, that was because I felt an interest in the society, and wanted to
know how the members were getting on," said Johnny.

"Do you know what I intend to do with you? I shall keep you on board
this vessel until we arrive within a few miles of our island. Lie down
there, now, and keep quiet."

As Tom said this he pushed Johnny into the bunk and went out, leaving
him to his meditations.

If the captain of the pirate vessel could have his own way, the prisoner
certainly had a dreary prospect before him. He felt a good deal as did
Bob Jennings, when he lay on the sofa in the cabin of the Storm King,
and Xury was taking her down the harbor in the face of th