"Oh!" groaned Vanslyperken, with his face to the deck.
"Up there, my lads, and get a whip on the yard-arm," said Ramsay.
Some of his party went to obey the order, and they were assisted by the seamen of the Yungfrau. But while they were getting the whip ready on the starboard, Jemmy Ducks was very quietly employed getting another on the larboard yard-arm, which nobody took notice of.
As soon as the whip, and the cord with the hangman's noose made fast to it, were all ready, it was reported to Sir Robert by Corporal Van Spitter, who stepped up to him with his usual military salute. Sir Robert took off his hat in return. His watch had been held in his hand, from the time that he had passed sentence upon Vanslyperken, who still remained prostrate on the deck.
"It is my duty to inform you, sir, that but five minutes are left of the time awarded to you," said Sir Robert to Vanslyperken.
"Five minutes!" exclaimed Vanslyperken, jumping up from the deck, "but five minutes--to die in five minutes," continued he, looking up with horror at the rope at the yard-arm, and the fatal noose at the end of it, held in the hand of Corporal Van Spitter. "Stop, I have gold--plenty of gold--I can purchase my life."
"Kingdoms would not purchase it," said Sir Robert, scornfully.
"Oh!" exclaimed Vanslyperken, wringing his hands, "must I leave all my gold?"
"You have but two minutes, sir," observed Sir Robert. "Let the rope be put round his neck."
This office was performed by Corporal Van Spitter. The corporal was quite an amateur.