but a few winks of sleep the two previous nights, we
soon became drowsy Harry proposed turning in.

"If we do, we must keep one eye open and our hangers by our sides,"
observed Tubbs. "I don't quite like the freedom of the lieutenant with
these buccaneering fellows. If we hadn't got the King's ship close to
us, they would be playing us some scurvy trick, depend upon that."

As Harry and I could be of no use on deck at night, and Tubbs really
required rest, we all lay down, Harry and I each taking a sofa at the
further end of the cabin, while Tubbs stowed himself away in a berth
which had been occupied by one of the mates who had been killed in the
late action. I was just dropping off to sleep when I heard a scuffle,
and on looking up, what was my dismay to see two seamen grasping the
arms of the lieutenant, who had just before entered the cabin, while two
others were hauling Charley along. The sentry, instead of attempting to
assist Mr Hallton, presented his musket at us, exclaiming--

"If you interfere, gentlemen, I am ordered to shoot you."

As we saw several other men at the entrance of the cabin with muskets in
their hands, we knew that resistance was useless. I was indeed too much
astonished and confused, suddenly awakened as I had been out of my
sleep, to say or do anything. I fancied for some seconds that I was
dreaming. Here were the tables turned, and that with a vengeance. It
was very evident that the pirates had tampered with the man-of-war's
men, who were probably a bad lot, as was too often the case on board
King's ships in those days, and that thus they had easily been won over.
Mr Hallton's folly and obstinacy had also greatly contributed to
enable the pirates to carry out their project. I should have been less
surprised had Captain Roderick been at liberty, but, as far as I could
then see, he had had no hand in the business. I had good reason to
dread the way he would serve us when he once more found himself in
command of the ship and that we were in his power, when he would, I
feared, wreak his vengeance on our heads for the way we had treated him.

These thoughts passed rapidly through my mind. Harry and Tubbs, who had
been fast asleep, were awakened by the entrance of the party, and now
sat up rubbing their eyes, as much astonished as I had been.

Tubbs, who was but partly awake, sprang to his feet and made a step
forward as if to interfere, but seeing the sentry pointing his musket at