back, thus holding the pirate's neck
outstretched; lastly, I saw the executioner draw back, the sword
flashed, I heard a dull thud--the head fell, and the body rolled over on
one side.

Before I could drag my eyes from the horror there was the same terrible
sound again, and another head fell upon the ground, while, with a
rapidity that was astounding, the assistants passed from one culprit to
the other in the long row, the miserable wretches making not the
slightest resistance, but kneeling patiently in the position in which
they were thrust, while _whish, whish, whish_, the executioner lopped
off their heads at one blow.

"Allee done," said Ching. "Execution man have velly much plactice."

He said this to me, but I made no reply, for the whole place seemed to
be going round and round.

"You thinkee they all come back again and have junk? Go kill shoot
evelybody, pilate ghost-man?"

"No," I said hoarsely; "can we go now?"

"Velly soon. Gleat clowd all along gate. Lookee, Mis' Tanner go
s'eep."

These words roused me, and I turned to Barkins, who was lying back with
his eyes nearly closed and looking ghastly, while Smith sat staring
straight before him, with his hands grasping the seat on either side, in
a stiff, awkward position.

"Here, Smithy," I said, "quick, Tanner has fainted;" but he took no
notice, and I whispered to him angrily--

"Get up. It's all over now. Come and help me. Don't let these
horrible people see Tanner like this."

He turned to me then, and let his eyes fall on our messmate.

"Can you get me a drink of water, Ching?" he murmured.

"Yes, d'leckly; wait lit' bit. Po' Mr Barki' Tanner leg velly bad,
makee sick. You' alm velly bad still?"

"Very bad; it throbs," murmured Smith.

"Ah, yes! Wait lit' bit and no clowd. Ching take you have cup flesh
tea, and quite well d'leckly. You not likee execution?"

I shook my head.

"Velly good job cut allee head off. No go killee killee, burn ship no
more."

"We're not used to seeing such things," I said weakly, as I supported
Barkins to keep him from slipping to the ground.

"You no go see execution when Queen Victolia cut off bad men's head?"

I shook my head.

"Ah, I see," said Ching. "Me tink you have velly gleat tleat. But I
see, not used to see. Velly blave boy, not mind littlee bit next time."

"What's the matter? Don't, doctor. It's getting well now."

It was Barkins who spoke, and his hands went suddenly to