After he had looked at us some time, there was another consultation, and at length they decided what to do, and we saw that preparations were being made. Eagerly I scanned the sea, but not a sail was in sight, no help was near, and careless as I had been about danger my heart felt heavy. With blanched faces our men saw a plank which reached a few yards into the sea, placed on the vessel's deck, and with beating hearts we saw the officers of our ship bound. I will not try and describe the scene. Hard and rough as I was, it was terrible to see men killed in cold blood. In vain the captain pleaded that he had a wife and little ones. No mercy was shown, and, although we dreaded the sight, our eyes were drawn, as if by a magnet, to see the men who had commanded us walking to their death. Even now their awful shrieks as they fell into the sea ring in my ears. And we were all bound, unable to help them, and waiting for a similar doom. Then we saw what caused us common sailors hope. A good-sized boat was lowered, and provisions were placed in it; and one by one, the men were told to board it, This they gladly did, until I was left alone. I was preparing to follow, when the captain came up to me. He took a long look at me and then spoke to his men. I had picked up enough of Spanish during the years I had been away to understand an ordinary conversation, so I followed every word he said. His opinion was that I should make a splendid addition to their crew, and that it was a pity I should be lost to them. "Your name?" he said to me abruptly. "Richard Tretheway!" "Ah, you are English?" "Yes." "How long since you were there?" "Eight years." "Why have you kept away from your home so long?" "For private reasons." "Ah!" he said eagerly, and he looked at me keenly. "One of us, eh? Stand up, Richard Tretheway." I stood up. Tall as he was, I was taller, and broader too, for that part. The Trewinions have ever been a race of giants. "What do you wish us to do with you?" he said at length. "I'm not anxious." "Then you don't mind walking the plank?" "It won't matter much. I must die some time, and I've not much to live for." The captain's eyes sparkled. "What do you think of us?" he said at length. I looked at our crew, who were evidently to be sent away to die. I thought of our officers who had only a few minutes before been condemned to death, and I said savagely: "I think you are bloodthirsty villains--demons out of hell." He laughed a mirthless, cruel laugh, while the crew demanded my death. "What would you do if you had us in your power?" "Hang you." "Why?" "To rid the earth of such a crew." "Let him walk the plank," cried the men. But the captain was more forbearing. "Why, look you," he said, "you are just as bad as we. We sent your officers to Heaven or to the other place for our safety, while you would send us there for the safety of the world. Who has the most reason on his side?"