."

"Faith, an' ye may say that, but we stand a chance to gain one thing."

"What may that be, Pat?"

"O, a two-inch rope, and a run up to the fore yard-arm."

"The devil! That's not a pleasant thought, Pat."

"No, but they say it's an aisy death."

"Silence, men," was heard in the deep tones of the captain's voice.

In a moment all was still, and every eye turned toward the
companion-way, on which the captain stood, resting one hand upon the
main-boom, as he was exceedingly weak from the wound inflicted by the
ball of Captain Horton.

"My brave fellows," said their leader, "do not be alarmed, we shall
not be hanged this time. Is our situation any worse than it has been
in times heretofore? Trust in me. Have I ever deceived you--have I
ever failed yet? You know I have not. Where we cannot conquer by fair
battle, we must use stratagem. Be watchful and ready, and we will yet
not only escape yonder vessel, but stand upon her deck as masters."

The confidence with which he spoke inspired his followers with like
feeling, and with countenances relighted by hope, they returned to
their several stations. Their reliance upon their commander was
unbounded. He had so often triumphed when even greater difficulties
opposed, that they already felt sure of ultimate delivery, now that he
had been restored to his former energy--they had mistaken the lethargy
into which pain and weakness had thrown him for the torpor of despair.
Again the joke and laugh went round, and already they began to compute
their respective shares of booty in the vessel so soon to be theirs,
they knew not how.

"Haul down the ensign, in token that we surrender," cried the captain.

A murmur of indignation and surprise arose from the crew.

"What, men, do you doubt me? 'Tis but a feint. Haul down the flag and
take in sail."

The men obeyed with alacrity, for they already clearly comprehended
the plan of their leader. It was his intention to entice the privateer
alongside, and, well aware of his own superiority in numbers, to make
a sudden onset upon her deck, and thus, contrary to all laws of
honorable warfare, seize by foul means what could not be obtained in
any other way.

These pacific indications were viewed with some surprise on board the
privateer.

"By Heaven!" cried Lieut. Morris, "she's tired of this game soon."

"Well, she had no other way to do; as it was we should have sunk her
without receiving a shot."

"It was a losing game fo