by the gibbet.
Now, sir, I wish to know, what you can bring forward in your defence,
what have you to urge that you should not die the death which you so
traitorously prepared for others."

"Die!" exclaimed Vanslyperken, "no--no--mercy, sir--mercy. I am not fit
to die."

"Few are--but this is certain--that a villain like you is not fit to
live."

"On my knees, I ask mercy," cried the frightened wretch, dropping down.
"Mr Ramsay, speak for me."

"I will speak," replied Ramsay, "but not for you, I will show you, that
even if you were to escape us, you would still be hung; for all your
extracts of the despatches, I have, with full explanation, put into the
hands of the English government. Do you expect mercy from them--they
have not showed much as yet."

"O God--O God!" exclaimed Vanslyperken, throwing himself down on the
deck in despair.

"Now, my lads, you have heard the charges against this man, and also
that he has no defence to offer, what is your sentence?"

"Death!" exclaimed the conspirators.

"You men, belonging to the cutter, you have heard that this man has
betrayed the present government of England, in whose pay and service he
was at the time--what is your opinion?"

Hereupon, Obadiah Coble hitched up his trousers, and said, "Why, as a
matter of opinion, I agrees with you, sir, whomsoever you may be."

"Mein Gott! yes, sir," exclaimed the corporal.

And all the crew cried out together, "Death--death!" which, by-the-bye,
was very mutinous.

"You perceive that you are doubly condemned as a double traitor," said
Sir Robert. "So prepare to die; the religion you profess I know not, but
the time you will be allowed to make your peace with your God is
fifteen minutes."

"Oh!" groaned Vanslyperken, with his face to the deck.

"Up there, my lads, and get a whip on the yard-arm," said Ramsay.

Some of his party went to obey the order, and they were assisted by the
seamen of the _Yungfrau_. But while they were getting the whip ready on
the starboard, Jemmy Ducks was very quietly employed getting another on
the larboard yard-arm, which nobody took notice of.

As soon as the whip, and the cord with the hangman's noose made fast to
it, were all ready, it was reported to Sir Robert by Corporal Van
Spitter, who stepped up to him with his usual military salute. Sir
Robert took off his hat in return. His watch had been held in his hand,
from the time that he had passed sentence upon Vanslyperken, who still