By this time he had nearly reached the ship, which was a large three-masted vessel.  There seemed to be a great commotion on board; sailors were running this way and that; women were screaming; and officers could be heard shouting, “Put her about!  Clap on more sail!”

But steadily on sailed the small boat, and the moment it came alongside the big ship, the Reformed Pirate threw out grapnels and made the two vessels fast together.  Then he hooked a rope-ladder to the side of the ship, and rushing up it, sprang with a yell on the deck of the vessel, waving his flashing sword around his head!

“Down, dastards! varlets! hounds!” he shouted.  “Down upon your knees!  Throw down your arms!  SURRENDER!”

Then every man went down upon his knees, and threw down his arms and surrendered.

“Where is your Captain?” roared their conqueror.

The Captain came trembling forward.

“Bring to me your gold and silver, your jewels and your precious stones, and your rich stuffs!”

The Captain ordered these to be quickly brought and placed before the Reformed Pirate, who continued to stride to and fro across the deck waving his glittering blade, and who, when he saw the treasures placed before him, shouted again: 

“Prepare for scuttling!” and then, while the women got down on their knees and begged that he would not sink the ship, and the children cried, and the men trembled so that they could hardly kneel straight, and the Captain stood pale and shaking before him, he glanced at the pile of treasure, and touched it with his sword.

“Aboard with this, my men!” he said.  “But first I will divide it.  I will divide this into,—­into,—­into one part.  Look here!” and then he paused, glanced around, and clapped his hand to his head.  He looked at the people, the treasure and the ship.  Then suddenly he sheathed his sword, and stepping up to the Captain, extended his hand.

“Good sir,” said he, “you must excuse me.  This is a mistake.  I had no intention of taking this vessel.  It was merely a temporary absence of mind.  I forgot I had reformed, and seeing this ship, old scenes and my old business came into my head, and I just came and took the vessel without really thinking what I was doing.  I beg you will excuse me.  And these ladies,—­I am very sorry to have inconvenienced them.  I ask them to overlook my unintentional rudeness.”

“Oh, don’t mention it!” cried the Captain, his face beaming with joy as he seized the hand of the Reformed Pirate.  “It is of no importance, I assure you.  We are delighted, sir, delighted!”

“Oh yes!” cried all the ladies.  “Kind sir, we are charmed!  We are charmed!”

“You are all very good indeed,” said the Reformed Pirate, “but I really think I was not altogether excusable.  And I am very sorry that I made your men bring up all these things.”

“Not at all! not at all!” cried the Captain.  “No trouble whatever to show them.  Very glad indeed to have the opportunity.  By the by, would you like to take a few of them, as a memento of your visit?”