“Me? lor’ bless you, no,” said Tim, “I never heard of his name afore in all my life.” “Liar!” said one, giving him a slap that made his jaws ache again. “Liar!” another one remarked, kicking him vigorously from behind; “didn’t we get up a tree after you, and you escaped?” “Yet now I come to look at the rogue more closely, the more I am convinced he is one of young Warbeck’s followers,” said Death-wing, “and as such, he must—” “Die!” said all, in a solemn chorus. When the verdict was made known, the whole of the Skeleton Crew commenced dancing around him in a wild unearthly fashion, and as each came near him, they gave the luckless fellow a kick or a blow, until he was black and blue. “Bind him hand and foot,” said the grim chief; “this rascal has many secrets to reveal about Wildfire Ned, and Sea-hawk’s gang; we must extract them all from him, or cut him joint from joint.” “Bind him hand and foot, and tie him to the main-mast!” This was done. All the crew, save one, all the while stood round the victim, while Death-wing began to question him. So silent were the crew upon extracting from him every item about Wildfire Ned, that they took but little notice of the intense fog which now enveloped the ship, or where it was drifting to. “The first question I shall ask you,” Death-wing began, “is, do you know where Wildfire Ned is? if you do not confess, your arms shall be—” At that instant, a loud booming noise was heard, and not far off either. Every one rose to his feet. In a second after an eighteen-pound cannon shot came crushing through the bulwarks! “Treachery!” Death-wing cried. Bang! crash! were the sounds repeated. “Every one to his post!” Whiz—bang! came another shot, and almost frightened off all the hair from Tim’s head, as he stood tied to the mast, and unable to move. “Who are they? Can you make them out?” shouted out Death-wing to his crew. “A frigate is bearing down to windward of us.” “Steer the ‘Phantom’ in towards the shore! Double shot your guns! ’Tis the ‘Diamond’—I can make her out through the fog. Fire away! Never surrender! Up with the black flag!” The fight now became hot and desperate. Cannons flashed and roared, but still the frigate did not approach any nearer. In truth, she could not do so. They were too near land, and the “Phantom” was of a much lighter draught, and could draw less water. Hence it was that Death-wing had the advantage of his enemy, for he now neared the land, and seemed bent upon stranding his vessel and escaping rather than surrender. But he was much mistaken. Although it was the “Diamond” frigate he was fighting, he little dreamt what was in store for his crew. Although now the shots of the frigate took but little effect from the increasing distance, Death-wing was surrounded with dangers.