I need not give you the reasons of my reluctance and hesitation. Think only of what was behind me--of the damage and ruin I had caused to the cargo--a damage amounting perhaps to hundreds of pounds--think of the impossibility of my being able to make the slightest restitution or payment--think of this, and you will comprehend why I paused so long, seated upon the edge of the bonnet-box. An awful dread was upon me. I dreaded the _denouement_ of this _dark_ drama; and no wonder I hesitated to bring it to its ending. How could I ever face the stern wrath of the captain?--the brutal anger of that savage mate? How could I endure their looks--their words, their oaths, and, likely enough, their blows? Perhaps they would _pitch me into the sea_? A thrill of terror ran through my veins, as I dwelt on the probability of such a fate. A sudden change had passed over my spirits. But the moment before that twinkling ray had filled my bosom with joy; and now, as I sat and gazed upon it, my heart was throbbing with fear and dismay! CHAPTER SIXTY FOUR. AN ASTONISHED CREW. I tried to think of some way by which I might be enabled to make reparation for the loss; but my reflections were only foolish, as they were bitter. I owned nothing in the world that I knew of--nothing but my old watch--and that--ha! ha! ha!--would scarce have paid for the box of crackers! Yes, there was something else that belonged to me--and does still (for I have kept it till this hour)--something which I esteemed far more than the watch--ay, far more than I would a thousand watches; but that something, although so highly prized by me, would not have been valued at a single sixpence. You guess of what I am speaking? You guess, and rightly, that I mean that _dear old knife_! Of course, my uncle would do nothing in the matter. He had no interest in me farther than to give me a home, and that was a thing of choice rather than responsibility. He was in no way bound to make good my damages; and, indeed, I did not permit myself for a moment to entertain the idea. There was but one thought that held out to me the slightest hope--one course that appeared to be tolerably rational. It was this: I could bind myself to the captain for a long period. I could toil for him as a boy-sailor--a cabin-boy--a servant--anything that would enable me to work off my debt. If he would only accept me for this purpose (and what else could he now do, unless, indeed, he really did toss me overboard), then all might yet be right. The thought cheered me; and I resolved, as soon as I should reach the captain's presence, to make the proposal. Just at that moment I heard a loud stamping noise above me. It was a continued series of thumps, that resembled the heavy footsteps of men passing backward and forward over the decks. They were on both sides of the hatchway, and all around it, upon the deck.