e
men, and that--"

He checked himself, and then said sternly, "And pray what do you intend
to do with _me_?"

"I shall allow you a boat and provisions, Captain Blathers, for the use
of yourself and your friends, and then bid you farewell. You see we are
mercifully inclined, and have no desire to shed your blood. Ho! there--
lower one of the quarter boats."

This order was obeyed with promptitude. Some provisions were thrown
into the boat, and the captain was cast loose and ordered to get into
it. He turned to make a last appeal to the crew, but Griffin presented
a pistol at his head and ordered him peremptorily to get into the boat.
It is probable that he would have made another effort, had not two of
the men forced him over the side. Seeing this, Will Osten was so
indignant and so anxious to quit the ship, that he stepped forward with
alacrity to follow him.

"No, no, my fine young fellow," said Griffin, thrusting him back, "we
want your help as a doctor a little longer. It may be that you are not
inclined to serve us, but we can find a way of compelling you if you're
not. Come, Mr Dall, be good enough to go next."

When Captain Dall's hands were loosed, he shook his fist in the second
mate's face, and said, "Rascal, you'll swing for this yet; mark my
words, you'll swing for it." Having relieved his feelings thus, he went
over the side.

While this was going on, Larry O'Hale, Muggins, and Mr Cupples, with
several others, were brought to the gangway. Griffin addressed these
before ordering them into the boat.

"My lads," he said, "I have no objection to your remaining aboard, if
you choose to take part with us."

"I, for one, will have nothing to do with 'e," said Mr Cupples sternly.

"Then you may go," said Griffin, with a sneer. Muggins, who, to use one
of his own phrases, looked "as sulky as a bear with a broken head," made
no reply, but Larry O'Hale exclaimed, "Sure, then, what better can I do
than take part with yees? It's a heavenly raigin o' the arth this, an
good company. Put me down on the books, Capting Griffin, dear. I'd
niver desart ye in your troubles,--be no mains."

There was a slight laugh at this, and Larry was graciously cast loose,
and permitted to remain. Both Will Osten and Muggins gazed at him,
however, in amazement, for they had supposed that their comrade would
rather have taken his chance in the captain's boat. Suddenly an
intelligent gleam shot athwart the rough vis