"What, not plunder?" cried the men, looking at the Transcendant. "No, not think of it, if you are wise." At this reply all of the men exclaimed that "that would not do"--"that plunder they would"--that "I was not the captain of the vessel," and many more expressions showing how soon a man may lose popularity on board of a pirate vessel. "I gave my opinion, my men, and if you will hear why I said so--" "No, no, out boats," cried they all, and simultaneously ran to lower down the boats, for it was now calm, that they might tow the schooner alongside of the Transcendant. "You might as well talk to the wind as talk to them when there is plunder to be obtained," said Toplift to me in a low tone. "Come down with me," said I, "and I will tell you what I have heard." "Ain't they going to plunder the brig?" said Master Peleg, when we came down; "I know where father's dollars are," and up he ran on deck. I made a short remark upon the depravity of the boy, and then informed Captain Toplift of what he had told me. "If you had told them, they would not have paid attention to you. The boat's crew who came with the captain have told them that there is money on board, and all authority is now at an end." "Well," replied I, "I believe that the boy has told the truth." "And what do you mean to do?" "Remain below quietly, if I am allowed," replied I. "But I cannot," said he; "they would throw me overboard." "Make as bad a fight of it as you can," replied I. "That I will," said Captain Toplift, "and with so superior a force opposed, we cannot stand long. But I must tell you where you must be." "Where?" replied I. "At the entrance of the magazine, for as sure as we stand here they will blow up the vessel rather than be taken. Not all of them, but two or three I know are determined so to do, and resolute enough to do it. My pistols are there. You have only to open this door, and you are in the magazine passage. See," said he, opening the door, "there is the scuttle where they hand the powder up." "I will be on the watch, depend upon it; and, Captain Toplift, if the schooner is taken, and I am alive, you may have no fear for yourself." "Now let us go on deck again." "I will follow you," replied I. "I am alone at last, thank Heaven!" said I to myself. "What a position am I in, and how much will be in suspense before twenty-four hours are over. My own brother here, not ten miles perhaps from me, commanding the vessel which will attack this on which I am on board. That they will take us I have no doubt; but what risk do I run--of death by shot, or by their blowing up the vessel in spite of me, or of no quarter being given. Well, I wish it were decided. At all events, I am long supposed dead, and I shall not be recognized among the heaps of bodies."