the other lads cry share."

But though he was searched from head to foot, not a penny was found

upon him; nothing but Lord Foxham's signet, which they plucked

savagely from his finger.

"Turn me him to the moon," said the skipper; and taking Dick by the

chin, he cruelly jerked his head into the air. "Blessed Virgin!"

he cried, "it is the pirate!"

"Hey!" cried Tom.

"By the Virgin of Bordeaux, it is the man himself!" repeated

Arblaster. "What, sea-thief, do I hold you?" he cried. "Where is

my ship? Where is my wine? Hey! have I you in my hands? Tom,

give me one end of a cord here; I will so truss me this sea-thief,

hand and foot together, like a basting turkey--marry, I will so

bind him up--and thereafter I will so beat--so beat him!"

And so he ran on, winding the cord meanwhile about Dick's limbs

with the dexterity peculiar to seamen, and at every turn and cross

securing it with a knot, and tightening the whole fabric with a

savage pull.

When he had done, the lad was a mere package in his hands--as

helpless as the dead. The skipper held him at arm's length, and

laughed aloud. Then he fetched him a stunning buffet on the ear;

and then turned him about, and furiously kicked and kicked him.

Anger rose up in Dick's bosom like a storm; anger strangled him,

and he thought to have died; but when the sailor, tired of this

cruel play, dropped him all his length upon the sand and turned to

consult with his companions, he instantly regained command of his

temper. Here was a momentary respite; ere they began again to

torture him, he might have found some method to escape from this

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