ecide were British subjects. In my judgment
it would have been much more creditable and much wiser for the young
Hercules to have made an effort to use his club, in resisting such an
offensive and unjustifiable assumption of power, than to be setting up
doubtful claims to establish principles of public law that will render the
exercise of some of the most useful of all international rights perfectly
nugatory. I felt a disposition to refuse compliance with Sennit's request,
and did the result only affect myself I think I should have done so; but,
conscious that my men would be the sufferers, I thought it more prudent to
comply. Accordingly, all the Dawn's people were ordered to muster near the
quarter-deck.

While I endeavour to do justice to principles, I wish to do no injustice
to Sennit. To own the truth, this man picked out the Englishman and
Irishman as soon as each had answered his first questions. They were
ordered to get their things ready to go on hoard the Speedy, and I was
coolly directed to pay them any wages that might be due. Marble was
standing near when this command was given; and seeing disgust, most
likely, in my countenance, he took on himself the office of replying:

"You think accounts should be balanced, then, before these men quit the
ship?" he asked, significantly.

"I do, sir; and it's my duty to see it done. I will thank you to attend to
it at once," returned the lieutenant.

"Well, sir, that being the case, we shall be receivers, instead of payers.
By looking at the shipping articles, you will see that each of these men
received fifty dollars, or two months' advance," [seamen's wages were as
high, frequently, in that day, as twenty or thirty dollars;] "and quite
half of the 'dead-horse' remains to be worked out. We will, therefore,
thank His Majesty to pay us the odd twenty-five dollars for each of
the men."

"What countryman are _you_?" demanded the lieutenant, with a menacing
look. "Cornish, by your impudence: have a care, sir; I have carried off
mates, before now, in my day."

"I came from the land of tombstones, which is an advantage; as I know the
road we all must travel, sooner or later. My name is Marble, at your
service; and there's a hard natur' under it, as you'll find on trial."

Just at this moment, the frigate's boat came round her stern, carrying the
Hon. Mr. Powlett, or the gentleman whom Sennit had announced as her
first-lieutenant. I thought the rising anger of the last