Part 36 (1/2)

”But answer my question,” said the youth, testily, ”Henry, plead with me no longer,” said Gascoyne, in a deep, stern tone. ”My mind is made up.

I have spent many years in dishonesty and self-deception. It is perhaps possible that by a life devoted to doing good, I might in the long run benefit men more than I have damaged them. This is just possible, I say, though I doubt it; but I have _promised_ to give myself up whenever this cruise is at an end, and I won't break the last promise I am likely to give in this world; so do not attempt to turn me, boy.”

Henry made no reply, but his knitted brows and compressed lips shewed that a struggle was going on within him. Suddenly he stood erect, and said firmly--

”Be it so, Gascoyne. I will hold you to your promise. You shall _not_ escape me!”

With this somewhat singular reply, Henry left his surprised companion and mingled with the crowd of men who stood on the quarter-deck.

A light breeze had now sprung up, and the _Foam_ was gliding rapidly towards the island. Gascoyne's deep voice was still heard at intervals issuing a word of command; for, as he knew the reefs better than any one else on board, Montague had intrusted him with the pilotage of the vessel into harbour.

When they had pa.s.sed the barrier-reef, and were sailing over the calm waters of the enclosed lagoon in the direction of Sandy Cove, the young officer went up to the pirate captain with a perplexed air and a degree of hesitation that was very foreign to his character.

Gascoyne flushed deeply when he observed him. ”I know what you would say to me,” he said, quickly. ”You have a duty to perform. I am ready.”

”Gascoyne,” said Montague, with deep earnestness of tone and manner, ”I would willingly spare you this, but, as you say, I have a duty to perform. I would, with all my heart, that it had fallen to other hands.

Believe me, I appreciate what you have done within the last few days, and I believe what you have said in regard to yourself and your career.

All this, you may depend upon it, will operate powerfully with your judges. But you know I cannot permit you to quit this vessel a _free man_.”

”I know it,” said Gascoyne, calmly.

”And--and--” (here Montague stammered and came to an abrupt pause.)

”Say on, Captain Montague. I appreciate your generosity in feeling for me thus; but I am prepared to meet whatever awaits me.”

”It is necessary,” resumed Montague, ”that you should be manacled before I take you on sh.o.r.e.”

Gascoyne started. He had not thought of this. He had not fully realised the fact that he was to be deprived of his liberty so soon. In the merited indignity which was now to be put upon him, he recognised the opening act of the tragedy which was to terminate with his life.

”Be it so,” he said, lowering his head and sitting down on a carronade, in order to avoid the gaze of those who surrounded him.

While this was being done, the youthful Corrie was in the fore-part of the schooner whispering eagerly to Alice and p.o.o.py.

”O Alice, I've seen him!” exclaimed the lad.

”Seen who?” inquired Alice, raising her pretty little eyebrows just the smallest morsel.

”Why, the boatswain of the _Talisman_, d.i.c.k Price, you know, who jumped overboard to save Henry when he fell off the raft. Come, I'll point him out.”

So saying, Corrie edged his way through the crowd until he could see the windla.s.s. Here, seated on a ma.s.s of chain cable, sat a remarkably rugged specimen of the British boatswain. He was extremely short, excessively broad, uncommonly jovial, and remarkably hairy. He wore his round hat so far on the back of his head that it was a marvel how it managed to hang there, and smoked a pipe so black that the most powerful imagination could hardly conceive of its ever having been white, and so short that it seemed all head and no stem.

”That's him!” said Corrie, eagerly.

”Oh! is it?” replied Alice, with much interest.

”Hee! hee!” observed p.o.o.py.

”Stand by to let go the anchor,” shouted Montague.

Instantly bustle and noise prevailed everywhere. The crew of the lost frigate had started up on hearing the order, but having no stations to run to, they expended the energy that had been awakened in shuffling about and opening an animated conversation in under tones.