p. Strange that men who knew that they would
be hanged in a few days, if not the next morning, should sleep so
sound--but so it was--while I, who had every reason to believe that my
sufferings were over, could not sleep one wink. I was, however, fully
satisfied with my own castle-buildings during the night, and more
satisfied when it was again broad daylight. After the men had had their
breakfast, an order came down for all the prisoners to be brought on
deck. We were led up under guard, and made to stand all in a row. I
looked round for my brother, but he was not on deck. It was the
first-lieutenant who was there, with several other officers, and the
clerk, with pen and ink, to take down the names of the prisoners.

"Who was the captain of this vessel?" said the first-lieutenant.

"I was, Sir," replied Toplift; "but much against my will."

"Oh, of course; every man was on board of her against his will. What is
your name? Put him down, Mr Pearson. Any other officers alive?"

"No, Sir," replied Toplift.

The name of every man was then asked and put down, and it so happened
that I was the last; for, anxious to see my brother, I had walked up the
foremost, and they had commenced their interrogation at the other end of
the line.

"What is your name?"

"I do not belong to the schooner," replied I.

"Of course not: you dropped on board her from the clouds."

"No, Sir, I did not; I swam on board of her to save my life."

"Then you went out of the frying-pan into the fire, I reckon, my good
fellow, for your life is forfeited now."

"I rather think not, Sir," replied I. "On the contrary, I feel it is
quite safe."

"Give us none of your jaw, my good fellow, but give us your name."

"Certainly, Sir, if you require it. My name is Alexander Musgrave,
Sir," replied I; "I am the elder brother of your captain, Philip
Musgrave, and I will thank you to go into his cabin and inform him that
I am here."

The first-lieutenant and officers started back in astonishment, and so
did Captain Toplift and the pirates. The first-lieutenant hardly knew
whether to consider it as a pretence on my part or not, and was
undecided how to act, when Captain Toplift said, "I do not know whether
the gentleman is as he says, but this is certain, and all the men can
prove it as well as myself, that he did swim on board, as he said, to
escape from the Indians, and that he has never joined the crew. They
offered to make him captain i