he other in amazement; he couldn't
make out "what he was driving at," as he said to himself.

"In ostensible command of the ship, that is," said the pirate,
correcting his previous expression. "I, of course, shall be virtually
master, but you will navigate her under my orders, and answer--likewise
under my directions--any curious questions that may be put to us from
passing vessels as to our destination and so on."

"Why, you want me, John Harding, to sail under false colours, and help
you to make away with the ship as I've sailed in, man and boy, ever
since I smelt salt water, not to speak of betraying my owners and their
interests. I'll see you--a--a--shot first!"

As he spoke the captain pulled the trigger of his revolver, and would
have settled all the pirate's chances of present and future booty if he
had not with a rapid movement of his quickly-drawn yataghan struck up
the muzzle of the weapon, causing the bullet to expend itself in the air
harmlessly, although it went uncommonly close to the head of the
trembling Tompkins above, who was waiting for a peaceful arrangement of
the situation before he descended.

On the shot being fired, the main body of the pirates rushed forward,
and would have annihilated the captain and the two lads, had not their
chief stopped them with some harsh word of command, at which they
immediately fell back again.

"I bear no malice, Captain Harding," said the pirate chief, with a
magnanimous air, "and I'll forgive your attempt on my life, especially
as the bullet missed its mark. I will also, as you have such scruples
of conscience, excuse you from acting still as the captain of this
vessel, and promote your chief officer--I believe the gentleman is up
aloft--to that post. I've no doubt he will prove more accommodating,
particularly when I place my reasons strongly before him. But I have
not done with you yet, captain. I shall want you presently below with
reference to the ship's papers and cargo. So now put down your weapons,
and order your men to disarm. I will save your lives, I promise."

"Boys, we must submit; we're in their power, and they are too strong for
us," said Captain Harding, turning to Tom and Charley. "I don't suppose
they'll murder us now in cold blood; we must trust their word for it--
the word of a pirate," he added aloud, with bitter scorn.

"And you can trust it," replied the pirate chief proudly. "The word of
Demetri, the Corsair of Chios, is kno