captain.

"If you mean my companions," said I, in a low voice, "I won't tell
you."

A loud laugh burst from the crew at this answer.

The pirate captain looked at me in surprise. Then drawing a pistol
from his belt, he cocked it and said, "Now, youngster, listen to
me. I've no time to waste here. If you don't tell me all you
know, I'll blow your brains out! Where are your comrades?"

For an instant I hesitated, not knowing what to do in this
extremity. Suddenly a thought occurred to me.

"Villain," said I, shaking my clenched fist in his face, "to blow
my brains out would make short work of me, and be soon over. Death
by drowning is as sure, and the agony prolonged, yet, I tell you to
your face, if you were to toss me over yonder cliff into the sea, I
would not tell you where my companions are, and I dare you to try
me!"

The pirate captain grew white with rage as I spoke. "Say you so?"
cried he, uttering a fierce oath. "Here, lads, take him by the
legs and heave him in, - quick!"

The men, who were utterly silenced with surprise at my audacity,
advanced, and seized me, and, as they carried me towards the cliff,
I congratulated myself not a little on the success of my scheme,
for I knew that once in the water I should be safe, and could