"I only wish it had been longer; and although it's very easy to say that a man ought to die rather than consent to be a pirate, I don't think there are many lads who would choose death if they were placed as you were." "I am glad you think that, young un; it's always been a sore point with me, I have done my duty since, and no one can say as he's ever seen Sergeant Edwards show the white feather.

But the thought that that once I did not act as a brave man would have done has always troubled me." The next day, as the sea went down, and the recruits recovered from the effects of the confinement and sickness, they again began to talk among themselves.

The fact that all the other vessels of the fleet were out of sight naturally encouraged them.

Jack observed, however, that the call to parade on deck was answered with more quickness than before, and the exercises were gone through with a painstaking steadiness greater than had been shown since the embarkation.

When the men were dismissed from parade Jack remarked this to the sergeant.
"Ay, ay, lad, I noticed it too," the sergeant said, shaking his head, "and in my opinion it's a bad sign.