id Miss Rumbolt, "and you did nothing.
You just stood still, and let them take the ship. I'm ashamed of you."

The skipper's defence was interrupted by a hoarse voice shouting to them
to come on deck, where they found the mutinous crew gathered aft round
the mate. The girl cast a look at the shore, which was now dim and
indistinct, and turned somewhat pale as the serious nature of her
position forced itself upon her.

"Lewis," said the mate.

"Well," growled the skipper.

"This ship's going in the lace and brandy trade, and if so be as you're
sensible you can go with it as mate, d'ye hear?"

"An' s'pose I do; what about the lady?" inquired the captain.

"You and the lady'll have to get spliced," said the mate sternly. "Then
there'll be no tales told. A Scotch marriage is as good as any, and
we'll just lay off and put you ashore, and you can get tied up as right
as ninepence."

"Marry a coward like that?" demanded Miss Rumbolt, with spirit; "not if
I know it. Why, I'd sooner marry that old man at the helm."

"Old Bill's got three wives a'ready to my sartin knowledge," spoke up
one of the sailors. "The lady's got to marry Cap'n Lewis, so don't let's
have no fuss about it."

"I won't," said the lady, stamping violently.

The mutineers appeared to be in a dilemma, and, following the example of
the mate, scratched their heads thoughtfully.

"We thought you liked him," said the mate, at last, feebly.

"You had no business to think," said Miss Rumbolt. "You are bad men,
and you'll all be hung, every one of you; I shall come and see it." "The
cap'n's welcome to her for me," murmured the helmsman in a husky whisper
to the man next to him. "The vixen!"

"Very good," said the mate. "If you won't, you won't. This end of the
ship'll belong to you after eight o'clock of a night. Lewis, you must go
for'ard with the men."

"And what are you going to do with me after?" inquired the fair
prisoner.

The seven men shrugged their shoulders helplessly, and Hezekiah, looking
depressed, lit his pipe, and went and leaned over the side.

The day passed quietly. The orders were given by the mate, and Hezekiah
lounged moodily about, a prisoner at large. At eight o'clock Miss
Rumbolt was given the key of the state-room, and the men who were not in
the watch went below.

The morning broke fine and clear with a light breeze, which, towards
mid-day, dropped entirely, and the schooner lay rocking lazily on a sea
of glassy smoothne