fine spirited fellows, to
accompany me; and the character you give of the boatswain makes me wish
to have him on board my craft, where, to tell you the truth, I have not
got too many able seamen. You may consider yourself very fortunate at
being allowed the privilege I offer you, so say no more about the
matter."

These remarks destroyed the hopes Harry and I had entertained that we
might get free of the pirate and ere long obtain our liberty. Poor
Tubbs looked very much cast down. Knowing him well, I was sure he was
not a man who would join with the pirates, although Captain Roderick
might employ every means to win him over. We were not long left in
suspense as to our fate.

"Now, my lads," exclaimed the pirate captain, addressing Harry and me,
"make your way on board my ship, and you follow them," he added turning
to Tubbs.

We had just time to shake hands with Captain Magor, whose countenance
showed the sorrow and anxiety he felt, when, at a sign from Captain
Roderick, several of his men seized us by the shoulders, and hurried us
on board the "Vulture." Tubbs then, giving an involuntary shrug of his
shoulders, as if resigned to his fate, followed us; the savage growls of
the dog making us dread that he would seize one of us by the leg, and so
I have no doubt that he would have done at a sign from his master. The
deck of the pirate presented much the same scene as did that of the
"Arrow." Our shot had done no little damage to the hull and rigging,
while several of her crew were dead or dying. Their shipmates were in
the act of heaving the bodies overboard, although they did not treat
those who were still breathing as they did our poor fellows. A few of
them, more compassionate than the rest, were endeavouring to staunch the
blood flowing from the limbs and sides of the wounded men. Harry,
Tubbs, and I, finding that no one interfered with us, knelt down beside
three of the men who were unable to move on the after part of the deck.
The wretched beings were crying out for help and mercy. Two of them
were evidently suffering fearfully from thirst. "I'll get some water;
it will do them good," said Tubbs, and making his way to a water-cask
which stood on deck, from which he filled a tin mug, he brought it back
to the men. They all drank eagerly, one of them, however, in the very
act, fell back and expired. The others cast a look at their shipmate.
Such might be their fate. "Take him away," groaned one of