But now let us take up one of your propositions." "Well, then, suppose we keep the bodies on board, run into a seaport, go to the authorities, and state all the facts, what then ?" "We shall prove, beyond all doubt, that we have killed three men, if not four; but we shall not prove that we were obliged so to do, Jack.
And then we are heretics--we shall be put in prison till they are satisfied of our innocence, which we never can prove, and there we shall remain until we have written to Malta, and a man-of-war comes to redeem us, if we are not stabbed or something else in the meantime." "That will not be a very pleasant cruise," replied Jack.

"Now let's argue the point on the other side." "There is some difficulty there--suppose we throw their bodies overboard, toss the baskets after them, wash the boat clean, and make for the first port.

We may chance to hit upon the very spot from which they sailed, and then there will be a pack of wives and children, and a populace with knives, asking us what has become of the men of the boat!" "I don't much like the idea of that," said Jack.
"And if we don't have such bad luck, still we shall be interrogated as to who we are, and how we were adrift by ourselves." "There will be a difficulty about that again--we must swear that it is a party of pleasure, and that we are gentlemen yachting." "Without a crew or provisions--yachts don't sail with a clean swept hold, or gentlemen without a spare shirt--we have nothing but two gallons of water and two pairs of pistols." "I have it," said Jack--"we are two young gentlemen in our own boat who went out to Gozo with pistols to shoot sea-mews, were caught in a gale, and blown down to Sicily--that will excite interest." "That's the best idea yet, as it will account for our having nothing in the boat.

Well, then, at all events, we will get rid of the bodies; but suppose they are not dead--we cannot throw them overboard alive,--that will be murder." "Very true," replied Jack, "then we must shoot them first, and toss them overboard afterwards." "Upon my soul, Easy, you are an odd fellow: however, go and examine the men, and we'll decide that point by-and-bye: you had better keep your pistol ready cocked, for they may be shamming." "Devil a bit of sham here, anyhow," replied Jack, pulling at the body of the padrone, "and as for this fellow you shot, you might put your fist into his chest.

Now for the third," continued Jack, stepping over the strengthening piece--"he's all among the baskets.