an might have been expected.

They soon reached a small eminence or rocky plateau, from which was
obtained a splendid view of the sea, with the barque floating like a
large albatross on its surface. From that point the boat could also be
clearly seen, and every step of the path by which they had reached the
eminence.

"Now, Redford," said Rosco, throwing his rifle into the hollow of his
left arm, so as to bring the muzzle full on the mate's chest, while,
with the forefinger of his right hand, he lightly touched the triggers,
"draw your pistols from your belt, and be very careful how you do it--
very careful--for if, even by chance, you touch hammer or trigger, you
are a dead man."

There was something of banter in Rosco's manner, yet this was associated
with an air and tone of such calm decision that the mate felt curiously
uncomfortable. He obeyed orders, however, promptly, and stood with a
pistol in each hand. It must have been a tantalising position, for, had
they been cocked, he could have blown out Rosco's brains in a moment.
Indeed, he was sorely tempted to break the half-cock catch on the chance
of one or both going off, but his commander's eye and muzzle forbade it.

"Drop them," said Rosco, suddenly.

If they had been red-hot irons, the mate could scarcely have let them go
more quickly. It almost seemed as if his guilty desire had passed into
the weapons and intensified the laws of gravitation--they came to the
rock with such a clatter.

"That will do. Now, two paces step--back, march! Splendid. Why,
Redford, I had no idea you were so well up in your drill," said Rosco,
stepping to the spot beside the pistols, which the mate had just
vacated. "You are fit to act fugleman to the British army. Now, clasp
your hands behind your back, and don't unclasp them till I give you
leave. It's a new piece of drill but not difficult to learn."

The cowed pirate was too much alarmed to be amused by this last sally.
He stood, sulkily it is true, but anxiously, awaiting further orders.

"Look here, Redford," continued the pirate captain. "I want to prove to
you that the distance from this spot to the boat is about five hundred
yards. You see that gull on the water? It is about the same distance
off as the boat--well--"

He sighted his rifle for five hundred yards, took a rapid aim, fired,
and the gull, leaping its own height out of the water, fell back dead.

"Oh! don't start my fine fellow, you forget t