In an instant the crew landed, formed line, and rushed up to our bower.
In a few seconds we saw them hurrying back to the boat, one of them swinging the poor cat round his head by the tail.

On reaching the water's edge, he tossed it far into the sea, and joined his companions, who appeared to be holding a hasty council.
"You see what we may expect," said Jack bitterly.

"The man who will wantonly kill a poor brute for sport will think little of murdering a fellow-creature.

Now, boys, we have but one chance left,--the Diamond Cave." "The Diamond Cave!" cried Peterkin, "then my chance is a poor one, for I could not dive into it if all the pirates on the Pacific were at my heels." "Nay, but," said I, "we will take you down, Peterkin, if you will only trust us." As I spoke, we observed the pirates scatter over the beach, and radiate, as if from a centre, towards the woods and along shore.
"Now, Peterkin," said Jack, in a solemn tone, "you must make up your mind to do it, or we must make up our minds to die in your company." "Oh, Jack, my dear friend," cried Peterkin, turning pale, "leave me; I don't believe they'll think it worth while to kill me.

Go, you and Ralph, and dive into the cave." "That will not I," answered Jack quietly, while he picked up a stout cudgel from the ground.