I felt with my hands, and discovered that the man had spoken truly. I knew it was useless to disobey, so I started to climb. In a few seconds I felt my arms grasped by hard hands, and I was dragged on to the deck of a vessel. I made no sound; I could not, for I was still gagged. "Come weth wee." I knew by the dialect that Cornishmen still spoke, and a few seconds later I felt myself descending a stairway with two men holding me. By the motion I judged that I was on a pretty large vessel, and this caused me to wonder greatly, for a large vessel would not be needed to take me to Kynance, neither would Cap'n Jack use one for such a purpose. I then thought I must be in the hands of the press-gang, and this was not altogether unpleasant, for I thought I might be able to escape, or use means whereby I should be able to communicate with Naomi. A few seconds later I knew that I was enclosed in some sort of a cabin, and then I felt a great relief, for my gag was pulled from my mouth. I tried to speak, but I could not; my tongue seemed swollen and my throat was parched, but it was pleasant to me to be able to breathe freely. At length I made a great effort. "Why am I taken here?" I asked. No one spoke. "What have I done that I should be treated thus?" I asked. "I have harmed no man. I arrived in Falmouth only yesterday. What is your will with me?" Still no one spoke. "Pull the bandage from my eyes and let me see, I cried. I said this because two men still held my arms firmly, but no one moved to do my bidding. "Then give me something to drink," I cried--"water; my throat is parched, and burns like fire." "Yes, you shall drink," said a voice. A few seconds later I heard the sound of bottles clinking, and then the gurgle of something being poured therefrom. "Here is something to cool your mouth. Here it is--fine stuff. Drink it quickly, drink it all." I felt a goblet placed against my lips, and a strange odour rise to my nostrils. I thought it smelt like rum, and a sickly feeling came over me. "Drink quickly," said the same man who had spoken before; "it will do you good." I feared to drink, and I shut my teeth firmly, but a great sickness came over me, and I could not keep my mouth closed, and some of the liquid was poured on my tongue. It was pleasant to the taste and delightfully cooling to my tongue, and so thirsty was I that I drank the contents of the goblet, thankful for such a refreshing beverage. "You feel better now, don't you?" "Yes," I said; "take away the bandage, and I shall be all right." No sooner had I spoken than I staggered, and should have fallen had not I been kept up by the men who still held my arms. "You are not so well, after all," I heard some one say. "You had better lie down." I yielded to the pressure upon my body, and felt myself falling; a great roaring sound came into my ears, and then I realised that I was lying on some sort of couch.