"On my knees, I ask mercy," cried the frightened wretch, dropping down. "Mr Ramsay, speak for me."
"I will speak," replied Ramsay, "but not for you, I will show you, that even if you were to escape us, you would still be hung; for all your extracts of the despatches, I have, with full explanation, put into the hands of the English government. Do you expect mercy from them--they have not showed much as yet."
"O God--O God!" exclaimed Vanslyperken, throwing himself down on the deck in despair.
"Now, my lads, you have heard the charges against this man, and also that he has no defence to offer, what is your sentence?"
"Death!" exclaimed the conspirators.
"You men, belonging to the cutter, you have heard that this man has betrayed the present government of England, in whose pay and service he was at the time--what is your opinion?"
Hereupon, Obadiah Coble hitched up his trousers, and said, "Why, as a matter of opinion, I agrees with you, sir, whomsoever you may be."
"Mein Gott! yes, sir," exclaimed the corporal.
And all the crew cried out together, "Death--death!" which, by-the-bye, was very mutinous.
"You perceive that you are doubly condemned as a double traitor," said Sir Robert. "So prepare to die; the religion you profess I know not, but the time you will be allowed to make your peace with your God is fifteen minutes."