he _other_ barrel!"

The reminder was in time to check an unwise impulse on the mate's part.

"Now," continued Rosco, assuming a more serious tone, "I have brought
you here for a last conversation. You have long desired to command that
vessel, and I have long desired to resign the command. We shall both
have our desires gratified this day. I intend to take up my abode here;
you are free to go where you please--but not to come here again. Lay my
words to heart, now, and let me advise you to impress them on your crew.
If you ever venture to come to this island again, I promise you to
shoot every man that puts his foot upon the shore, and to shoot all that
follow, as long as my ammunition lasts. And, you see, I have brought a
pretty large bag of it on shore, which I do not mean to waste on gulls,
or anything else. I mean to keep it entirely for your benefit, my
worthy friend--so, after this warning, you will please yourself, and
take your own course. Now, go down to the boat; row straight back to
your ship, tell your crew whatever you choose as to our interview, and
go where you please. But bear in mind that my rifle will cover you
during every step that you take from this spot down to the beach, ay,
and after you have left the beach too, until you are safe on board.
Remember, also, that the rifle is sighted for one thousand yards, and
that the barque is not much farther off than that. Go!"

The last word was uttered in such a tone, that Redford instantly turned,
and, without even a word of reply, retraced his steps to the shore.
Then he promptly embarked, and the men promptly shoved off while Rosco
sat on the rocky eminence, quietly watching them.

No words did Redford speak to his wondering men, except such as were
needed to direct the boat. On gaining the vessel, he sprang up the
side, ordered all sail to be set and the guns to be loaded. When the
vessel had increased her distance a few hundred yards from the shore, he
brought her broadside to bear on the land, and then, having carefully
laid the guns, gave the word to fire.

The hull of the pirate vessel was instantly enveloped in a snowy curtain
of smoke, and, next moment, the echoes of the hills were rudely startled
by a thunderous crash, while a dozen or more iron balls burst like
bomb-shells on the cliffs immediately above the spot where Rosco sat,
sending showers of rock in all direction; and driving the sea-mews in
shrieking terror from their nests