ay about being taken in. As he whispered to Tom, when he had
the chance, it reminded him of the pickpocket who had stolen a watch,
complaining of being hardly used because the article turned out to be
pinchbeck!

"If you like to let us go, I will give you a bond for the estimated
value of the ship and cargo," said Captain Harding, wishing to pacify
the man--who now appeared capable of going any lengths in his fury--for
he did not place much credence in his loudly vaunted promise of saving
their lives.

His suggestion, however, only seemed to add fuel to the fire.

"Yes, and a nice fool I should be to present it for payment, and have
the police upon me. Do you take me for an addle-pated idiot? I tell
you what I will do. I will burn your miserable old hulk of a ship, and
its rotten cargo; and you and she can roast together!"

"And your pledged word as to our lives?" said the captain.

"I told you I wouldn't take them, and my word is good, although I spared
your life simply because I might want your signature. But if the ship
catches fire, and you unfortunately cannot escape from her, of course it
will not be my fault--don't you see?"

And the corsair gave a malignant laugh, that disclosed his real
disposition better than words, and convinced the Englishmen of the
futility of appealing to him for pity.

It was now broad daylight, and the _Muscadine_ was working up to
windward of the cluster of small islands that lie to the northward of
Scarpanto, having just weathered the channel that separates it from
Rhodes, when the topmasts of a ship could be seen rounding the headland
nearest them.

"It's one of our cruisers, boys," whispered Captain Harding, whose keen
eyes had distinguished a pendant flying from the main-truck of the
new-comer.--"We are saved! we're saved!"

The pirate captain, however, had ears as quick as the captain's eyes
were keen.

"Gag that babbler," he cried to his men--in Greek of course--"and the
two boys as well, and bundle them down into the cabin. Stay! take those
men also, and serve them the same," pointing to the steward and Jack
Bower and the other three seamen.

All the Englishmen were hurried below without any unnecessary delay,
with the exception of Mr Tompkins, whom the corsair next addressed,
presenting the captain's cocked revolver as he did so, and pressing the
cold steel muzzle of the pistol against his right temple.

"You coward!" said he with a thrilling hiss on his ton