coincided in the views of him who had spoken, and added to the
proposal a suggestion for carrying it out--that was, that the one who
was to die should be chosen by lot. This, of course, both Brace and
myself expected. It was not likely that any one was going to volunteer.

What was my terror, and the anger and alarm of my companion, when one of
the strongest and most brutal of the whole crew--the ruffian Le Gros--
rose up, and in a loud and serious tone, not only objected to drawing
lots, but proposed me for the victim!

Brace sprang instantly to his feet, and uttered a cry of indignation.
It was expected that this cry would have been echoed by the others; and
with almost any other band of men upon the face of the earth or the face
of the ocean, such would have been the reception of the foul proposal.

But both my companion and I soon perceived, with dismay, that there came
no such echo from that ruffian crew. On the contrary, several backed
the proposal itself, and in such majority--I might almost say unanimity,
that it was plain that most of the men who spoke had already
predetermined the case. It was evident, from their prompt acquiescence,
that they had been prepared for it; and this accounted for that
mysterious whispering that had been carried on during the preceding day.
Some few, evidently, had not been in the secret; but these were weak
individuals, whose opposition would not have been regarded, and who,
indeed, appeared ready enough to chime in with the majority.

The French bully went on to justify his proposition by argument. We
were not all equal, he said--there were able seamen--and common
sailors--and I was but a boy. Why should I have a chance like the rest?
It was preposterous.

Brace opposed his arguments--appealed to the crew--to their sense of
justice and fair play--let lots be cast, said he, and let him take his
chance with the rest--that was the only fair and honest mode--the only
way worthy of men.

Bah! these were not men. One and all were but too glad to grasp at any
means that would deliver them from the perilous raffle. The sophistic
arguments of Le Gros satisfied them. The infamous motion prevailed. It
was decreed that I should die!

CHAPTER SIXTY SIX.

Yes--it was decreed that I should die.

The time and the mode alone remained to be determined; but these points
were soon settled. For the former it was to be then--instantly--and as
to the mode, I was to be bled to de