od sir," answered
the captain,'with his customary smile; "and there is no use in our
discussing the matter. An unpleasant duty"--as if he thought the chance of
putting two or three thousand pounds in his pocket, unpleasant!--"an
unpleasant duty, however, need not be performed in a disagreeable manner.
If you will point out what portion of your people you could wish to keep
in your ship, it shall be attended to. Of course, you remain by your
property your self; and I confess, whatever may be done with the cargo, I
think the ship will be liberated. As the day is advancing, and it will
require some little time to exchange the people, I should be exceedingly
happy if you would do me the favour to lunch in my cabin."

This was gentlemanly conduct, if it were not lawful. I could foresee a
plenty of evil consequences to myself in the delay, though I own I had no
great apprehensions of a condemnation. There was my note to John
Wallingford to meet, and two months' detention might keep me so long from
home, as to put the payment at maturity quite out of the question. Then
came the mortgage on Clawbonny, with its disquieting pictures; and I was
in anything but a good humour to enjoy Lord Harry Dermond's hospitality.
Still, I knew the uselessness of remonstrances, and the want of dignity
there would be in repining, and succeeded in putting a good face on the
matter. I simply requested that my chief mate, the cook, and Neb, might be
left in the Dawn, submitting it to the discretion of my captors to take
out of her as many of the remainder of her people as they saw fit. Lord
Harry remarked it was not usual to leave a mate, but to oblige me, he
would comply. The frigate would go in for water, in the course of a
fortnight, when I might depend on having the entire crew, His Majesty's
subjects excepted, restored to my command.

Chapter XIV.

_1st Gent_. What is my ransom, master? Let me know.
_Mast_. A thousand crowns, or else lay down your head.
_Mate_. And so much shall you give, or off goes yours.

King Henry VI.

I never saw a man more astounded, or better disposed to fly into a
passion, than was the case with Mr. Moses Oloff Van Duzen Marble, when he
was told that the Dawn was to be sent into England, for adjudication.
Nothing kept his tongue within the bounds of moderation, and I am far from
certain I might not add his fists, but my assurances he would be sent on
board the Speedy, unless he behaved with prude