"No, it arn't, 'cause why? I never was a drowned," replied Smallbones; "no thanks to you, though; but if so be as I supposes, you be a going to be hung--as I'm a good Christian, I'll forgive you--that is, if you be hung, you know."
Vanslyperken, who now perceived that Smallbones had been by some miracle preserved, recovered himself.
"If you forgive me," replied Vanslyperken, "then pray do not ill-treat my dog."
"I'se not forgiven him, anyhow--I owes him enough, and now I'll have his account settled, by gum. When you goes up there, he goes up here, as sure as I'm Peter Smallbones."
"Be merciful!" exclaimed Vanslyperken, who, strange to say, forgot his own miseries in pleading for his darling cur.
"He be a convicted traitor, and he shall die, by gum!" cried Smallbones, smacking his fist into the palm of his hand.
During the conversation, the time allotted to Vanslyperken had long expired, but the interest occasioned by it had inclined Sir Robert to wait till it was over.
"Enough," cried Sir Robert, "your time is too long expired. Commend your soul to God--let the rope be manned."
"Now Jemmy, stand by to toddle forward," cried Smallbones.
"One moment--I ask but one moment," cried Vanslyperken, much agitated, "only one moment, sir."