to
that we were about to follow. He then directed each man to take up his
package, gave the word to march, and we set off.

CHAPTER FIVE.

WE ARE MARCHED BACK TO THE VILLAGE--CARRIED ON BOARD THE "VULTURE"--SENT
DOWN BELOW--TUBBS REFUSES TO TURN PIRATE--AN UNPLEASANT NIGHT--THE SHIP
UNDER WEIGH--CROSSING THE BAR--ALLOWED TO GO ON DECK--AT SEA--ANOTHER
NIGHT--ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE A PURSUER--SOUNDS OF A FIGHT REACH US--WE BREAK
OUR WAY OUT--THE CAPTAIN ATTEMPTS TO BLOW UP THE SHIP--WE STOP HIM AND
MAKE HIM PRISONER--A PARTY FROM THE FRIGATE ON BOARD THE PIRATE--CHARLEY
APPEARS--LIEUTENANT HALLTON DOUBTS THE VESSEL BEING A PIRATE--TRUSTS THE
CREW--A PLEASANT SUPPER--UNPLEASANTLY AROUSED FROM SLEEP BY SEEING THE
LIEUTENANT AND CHARLEY IN THE HANDS OF THE PIRATES--A TRICK TO DECEIVE
THE FRIGATE--THE PIRATE MAKES SAIL AND ESCAPES FROM THE FRIGATE.

Harry and I trudged along side by side, feeling dreadfully out of
spirits at the ill success of our attempt to escape, as also at the
thought of the sad fate which had befallen the good-natured Frenchmen.
We also could not help considering ourselves in a degree guilty of the
death of the three men we had induced to desert, as well as of that of
our friends and their attendants. Tubbs tried to cheer us up.

"Maybe the blacks would have attacked the Frenchmen whether we had been
with them or not," he observed; "and as for the rest, it is the fortune
of war. We tried to escape but failed; better luck next time, say I."

This, however, was but poor consolation, as we could only expect the
harshest treatment at the hands of Captain Roderick, even if he did not
put us to death. Whether he would do that or not was doubtful. The
mate, however, did not seem inclined to ill-treat us, except that we
each had to carry a heavy load, while a dozen men were placed behind and
on each side of us; but we were allowed to march as we liked, and to
converse freely together. Though we had slept the previous night, we
were pretty well tired out when a halt was called and preparations made
to bivouac. Supper was prepared by the cooks, and we were allowed as
large a share as we required. The mate then told us to lie down
together, a couple of black fellows with arms in their hands being
placed over us.

"You'll not attempt to run," observed the mate. "I have given orders to
these fellows to shoot you if you do; so the consequences be on your own
heads."

"No fear of that," answered Harry