“But where are the witnesses to carry out the charge of murder?” “You can do that easily enough. Once he is in prison, there will be no difficulty in bringing up men to swear to anything we ask of them. Some of your own band, Captain Jack, could do that.” “Yes, if they were well paid for it.” “And so they shall be.” “But where is the money to come from?” “Oh, you must find that.” “_Me?_” “Yes, you. Rob Colonel Blood, or whoever you choose. I care not what you do, so you obey my commands.” “I will do as you wish,” said Captain Jack, who was over anxious to get away from such horrible-looking people. “Let me go, and I’ll fulfil any commands you like.” “So be it. Remember your oath.” “I will.” “And also remember,” said Death-wing, “that every step you take, and every action you do, will be closely watched by some one or other of the Skeleton Crew.” “I will not forget.” “Then, on your bended knees, before all assembled, swear on this sword to fulfil my commands.” “I will.” Captain Jack fell upon his knees, and, then, in the midst of all assembled, swore to apprehend Ned Warbeck on the charge of murder, and to procure witnesses at any cost to support the charge. In a few moments thereafter, Captain Jack was in the open air again, and free. He knew not why or wherefore, but directly he got into the streets again, he ran from the house with great fleetness, like a hare which has escaped from a deadly snare. CHAPTER XXXVII. THE OATH—NED WARBECK IS ARRESTED FOR MURDER. When Captain Jack had run himself out of breath, and had come to a dead standstill from sheer exhaustion, he leaned against a lamp-post, and, puffing and blowing, began to think what he had better do. “What the devil must I do?” he mused. “I know not which way to go, or what to be up to. If I attempt to rob Colonel Blood to get money, the chances are ten to one I shall get a pistol ball in my head, or a sword through my side. If I do _not_ get the money, why, then, those grim devils will skin me alive. Then I have to arrest Ned Warbeck, not an easy matter, for he has hosts of friends who would fight to the last for him.” “Yet something must be done, and quickly,” he thought; “for though I have run away from that cursed house as fast as my legs would let me, I have no doubt that I am watched already, and followed about like a shadow.” While he thus thought, a drunken man knocked against him. “Hulloa, where are you going to?” said Captain Jack, feeling desirous of drawing his sword, and taking revenge upon somebody for the sad adventures of the night. “Hulloa, where are you going to?” “Where are you going to?” was the reply; “don’t you know a gentleman when you see one?” “I do; but you are not one.” “You seem to know me then.” “I do—it’s Black Ben.” “Right you are; and you are the noble Captain Jack?” “I am.” “I thought so; and if it’s a fair question, what are you up to so early in the morning?” “I am on the road to the devil, Ben.”