“We must leave Sir William Scott to decide that, my good sir,” answered the captain,’with his customary smile; “and there is no use in our discussing the matter.  An unpleasant duty”—­as if he thought the chance of putting two or three thousand pounds in his pocket, unpleasant!—­“an unpleasant duty, however, need not be performed in a disagreeable manner.  If you will point out what portion of your people you could wish to keep in your ship, it shall be attended to.  Of course, you remain by your property your self; and I confess, whatever may be done with the cargo, I think the ship will be liberated.  As the day is advancing, and it will require some little time to exchange the people, I should be exceedingly happy if you would do me the favour to lunch in my cabin.”

This was gentlemanly conduct, if it were not lawful.  I could foresee a plenty of evil consequences to myself in the delay, though I own I had no great apprehensions of a condemnation.  There was my note to John Wallingford to meet, and two months’ detention might keep me so long from home, as to put the payment at maturity quite out of the question.  Then came the mortgage on Clawbonny, with its disquieting pictures; and I was in anything but a good humour to enjoy Lord Harry Dermond’s hospitality.  Still, I knew the uselessness of remonstrances, and the want of dignity there would be in repining, and succeeded in putting a good face on the matter.  I simply requested that my chief mate, the cook, and Neb, might be left in the Dawn, submitting it to the discretion of my captors to take out of her as many of the remainder of her people as they saw fit.  Lord Harry remarked it was not usual to leave a mate, but to oblige me, he would comply.  The frigate would go in for water, in the course of a fortnight, when I might depend on having the entire crew, His Majesty’s subjects excepted, restored to my command.

Chapter XIV.

  1st Gent.  What is my ransom, master?  Let me know.
  Mast.  A thousand crowns, or else lay down your head.
  Mate.  And so much shall you give, or off goes yours.

  King Henry VI.

I never saw a man more astounded, or better disposed to fly into a passion, than was the case with Mr. Moses Oloff Van Duzen Marble, when he was told that the Dawn was to be sent into England, for adjudication.  Nothing kept his tongue within the bounds of moderation, and I am far from certain I might not add his fists, but my assurances he would be sent on board the Speedy, unless he behaved with prudence.  As our people were sent out of the ship, I thought, several times, he would break out in open hostilities; and he did actually propose to me to knock Sennit down, and throw him overboard.  With a significant look, I told him it was not time for this.  The mate now laid a finger on his nose, winked, and from that moment he not only seemed cheerful, but he assisted in hoisting in and out the different articles that were exchanged, in shifting the crews.