one of you," said the lieutenant, "and I'il teach you to speak the truth!"
I, who had by this time quietly resumed my station, was ordered down along with them; and we all four stood on the quarter-deck, while the following interrogations were put to us:—
"Now, Sir," said the first lieutenant to the captain of the top, "how dare you tell me that that young gentleman was at the masthead, when I myself saw him 'shinning' up by the topsail-tie?"
I was sorry for the men, who, to save me, had got themselves into jeopardy; and I was just going to declare the truth, and take the whole odium upon myself, when, to my utter astonishment, the man boldly answered, "He was at the mast-head, Sir, upon my honour."
"Your honour!" cried the lieutenant, with contempt: then, turning to the other men, he put the same question to them both in succession, and received the same positive answers; so that I
