As I said this the crew of the corvette, who had cleared the decks, charged down below, and the pirates ran away and secreted themselves. Perceiving them coming forward, I said to them, "Put a guard over the magazine; they have attempted to blow up the vessel already." "Who are you?" said an officer. "A prisoner," replied I. "Well, then, lead him on deck, and stay here, two of you; shut down the magazine scuttle and keep guard." "Thank Heaven," thought I, "that this affair is over," as a seaman led me by the collar on deck, and handed me to others, who took me on board of the corvette. We were all put down below that remained out of the schooner's crew, about eighteen or nineteen, not more, and I was glad to find Captain Toplift, although badly wounded with a splinter, was among the number. We remained there huddled together with a guard of ten men over us for more than an hour, when we heard, from the conversation on deck, that the schooner had sunk. After that the guns of the corvette were secured, and the men had an allowance of liquor served out to them, the watch was called, and all was quiet during the remainder of the night. For some time I was in a state of excitement from the events of the last twenty-four hours crowding so rapidly, but by degrees I became calm. I asked one of the guard who was the captain of the corvette. "What's that to you, you gallows-bird?" replied he. "A civil question might receive a civil reply," answered I. "So it might with any one else; but if you don't want the hilt of my cutlass down your throat, you will hold your tongue." But I did not require to repeat the question, as I heard one of the officers on deck say, "It's Captain Musgrave's orders." This satisfied me, and I lay down with the rest of the prisoners, waiting for daybreak, when I trusted my troubles would soon be over. They were all sound asleep. Strange that men who knew that they would be hanged in a few days, if not the next morning, should sleep so sound--but so it was--while I, who had every reason to believe that my sufferings were over, could not sleep one wink. I was, however, fully satisfied with my own castle-buildings during the night, and more satisfied when it was again broad daylight. After the men had had their breakfast, an order came down for all the prisoners to be brought on deck. We were led up under guard, and made to stand all in a row. I looked round for my brother, but he was not on deck. It was the first-lieutenant who was there, with several other officers, and the clerk, with pen and ink, to take down the names of the prisoners. "Who was the captain of this vessel?" said the first-lieutenant. "I was, Sir," replied Toplift; "but much against my will." "Oh, of course; every man was on board of her against his will. What is your name? Put him down, Mr Pearson. Any other officers alive?" "No, Sir," replied Toplift.