On turning round Captain Jack perceived that he was surrounded by no less than a dozen of the Skeleton Crew! Before he could say a word, two of the grim gentlemen took the astonished officer by the scruff of the neck, and held him out at arm’s length. “Where is Alick?” gasped Captain Jack. “Here I am, you scoundrel,” said that worthy, who now re-entered the room, attired like one of the Crew. “What, was it all a trap, then?” “It was,” said Alick; “it was diamond cut diamond, Captain Jack, and you have lost the game.” NOW READY, THE BOY SAILOR; OR, LIFE ON BOARD A MAN-OF-WAR. This will be found one of the most exciting and powerful tales of the day. The scene of the story is laid in Cornwall, and it abounds with the wild legends and strange adventures of the daring wreckers and smugglers that haunt the bays and inlets of that rocky coast. FOUR ENGRAVINGS, IN A HANDSOME COLOURED BORDER, GIVEN AWAY WITH NUMBERS 1 and 2. ORDER EARLY. ONE PENNY WEEKLY. [Illustration: ENTRAPPED BY THE GYPSIES.—_See Number 19._] “Do you know that your life is forfeit, fool?” said Death-wing. “You cannot mean that?” “I do, though, except on one condition.” “Name it, then, most worthy Death-wing.” “Have you liberated Phillip Redgill with the money I gave you for that purpose, or have you squandered it to-night in card-playing?” “Oh, no! Upon the honour of a gentleman, I assure you I procured his release.” “Indeed!” “Yes.” “You did it, say you?” “I did.” “And how?” “Well, then, most worthy Death-wing and gentlemen,” said Captain Jack, turning to the Crew around him, “I’ll unburden my heart, and tell you the truth.” “For once in his life!” said Alick, with a boisterous laugh. “Go on, I am listening.” “In the first place,” said Captain Jack, beginning to invent a string of lies, “in the first place I took the fifteen hundred pounds—” “Two thousand pounds was the sum I gave you.” “Ahem—beg pardon—so it was—I forgot all about it at the moment. Well, I took the two thousand pounds directly you gave it to me, and mounted my horse, so as to make all the haste I could in order to return and see the famous game between old Gingles—” “Sir?” “I beg pardon; I should have said Captain Death-wing and his friend Alick.” “Well?” “I paid Colonel Blood £1,000 for his share.” “Did he give you a receipt?” “Why, no, I was in such a hurry I forgot to ask for one.” “And yet you promised to produce receipts for all your expenses.” “So I did, most august Death-wing; but, as I said, I was so much interested in your game of cards, I forgot to take note of my promise.” “Well, go on; what did you do with the other thousand?” “I gave £250 to each of the three gaolers, and——” “Why, you told me there were but two gaolers.” “Did I? Ah, I forgot; I meant to have said three.” “Well, and how did you lay out the other £250?” “I gave it to the prisoner to help him along with in order to escape.” “Very kind of you, indeed,” said several.