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The expression on the lieutenant’s face altered at once. Without replying he glanced me up and down, from head to foot.

“Corporal of marines!” he called.

The corporal advanced and saluted.

“Fall in a guard and take this man aft.”

To my astonishment four men with muskets and bayonets fixed were told off, and I was placed in the midst of them, and in this manner marched to the captain, who awaited us on the quarter-deck. The lieutenant preceded us. “Here’s one of the pirates, sir,” he said.

“That I am not, sir!” I replied. “No more than you yourself!”

“Silence!” the captain ordered. He regarded me with an expression of cold hostility, but I was too incensed at the accusation to hold my tongue.

“Allow me to speak, sir,” I said. “I am not one of the mutineers. My name is....”

“Did you hear me, you scoundrel? I ordered you to be silent!”

I was hot with shame and anger, but I had self-possession enough not to give way further to it, and I was certain that the misunderstanding with respect to me would soon be cleared up. I saw Tuahu regarding me with an expression of utter amazement. I was not permitted to speak to him.