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and a deeper sea than any ship has ever sailed: the sea upon which many a man with less plain evidence of piracy against him has embarked from a yardarm with a hempen collar about his neck and a black cap over his eyes.

Who, pray, would accept for sober truth such a tale as any scoundrel would make out of whole cloth to save himself from hanging? Despite all he could do or say, he now saw plainly, he must stand convicted, in their minds, of being at the very least a spy sent to learn the state of affairs on board this tall ship in which he was now a prisoner.

Then back to the cabin came young Mr. Rance and very much excited did he appear.

“Sir,” he exclaimed, and stood in the door.

“Tell your tale.”

"A ship lieth two cable’s lengths from land on the farther side of the point, and a boat hath set out from her and is following the shore as if to reconnoitre.”

“Ah,” said the captain, “it is quite as I thought. No drums, mind you, nor trumpets, Mr. Rance. Call the men to quarters by word of mouth. Make haste and put springs on the cables if there be time before the boat rounds the point. Bid the gunner make all preparations for action and order a sharp watch kept; but order also that there be no sound or appearance of unusual activity. Send me a corporal and a file of men, and the master.”

The gentleman at the desk chuckled.

“Come, boy, clear the table,” said the captain.

The boy jumped and returned to his work.

The master came first, but the corporal and his men were close at the master’s heels.