"Hang you."
"Why?"
"To rid the earth of such a crew."
"Let him walk the plank," cried the men.
But the captain was more forbearing.
"Why, look you," he said, "you are just as bad as we. We sent your officers to Heaven or to the other place for our safety, while you would send us there for the safety of the world. Who has the most reason on his side?"
I was silent at this, and the captain went on: "You fought like a mad bull when we were boarding you. There are three men down under lying half dead because of you."
"Serve them right," I said, "I was defending the party attacked, and, while I don't care a fig for my own life, I would fight to defend those who do."
"Would you like to be one of us?" said the captain.
"What would you have me do?"