"

"If they hear that, they will give you the command of this vessel."

"I will refuse to take it; and give my reasons."

"Well; I'll tell them that: I leave you to settle with them how you can;
but," added he, in a low tone, "there are some desperate villains among
them."

"That I take for granted," replied I; "so now I leave you to speak to
them."

Toplift did so. He told them that I was a pirate captain, who had lost
his vessel and been thrown on shore, but I refused to join any ship
except as captain of her; that I would not serve as first officer, and
would obey no one. He told them that he knew me before, and he narrated
the business at Bordeaux when I commanded a privateer, extolling me, as
I afterwards found, beyond all measure.

The crew, having heard what he had to say, went forward, and, after
consultation, came to Toplift and said that I must take the oath.

Toplift replied that he had desired me so to do, and that I had answered
that I would not. "But," said he, "you had better speak to him
yourselves. Call all hands aft and hear what he has to say."

This was done, and I was sent for.

"I have told them what you said, Sir. I don't know your name."

"I have no name," replied I, proudly, "except `Captain,'--that's my
name."

The fact is, Madam, I was determined to carry it out bravely; knowing
that it is the best way to deal with such people as I now had in hand.

"Well, then, Captain, I have told the men that you will not take the
oath."

"Take the oath!" replied I, with scorn; "no; I administer the oath to
others. I make them take it. I make them swear fidelity to me. Such
has been my conduct, and I shall not depart from it."

"Well, but, Captain Toplift, you don't mean to say that he is to remain
on board with us and not take the oath," said a surly-looking ruffian.
"In spite of you, he shall take the oath, Captain Toplift."

"Captain Toplift," said I, calmly, "do you allow one of your crew to use
such language as this? Had I been captain of this ship, I would have
blown his brains out as he stood. You don't know how to deal with these
rascals. I do."

Captain Toplift, who appeared much pleased at being supported in this
way by me--(strange that a single individual, whom they might have
thrown overboard in a minute, should have gained such an ascendency, but
so it was)--and who perceived that the men fell back, as if taken by
surprise, then said, "Captain, you have taught me