But Manton was too much alive to his own danger and interests to allow passion at such a critical moment to interfere with his judgment.

He paced the deck slowly, as we have said, undecided as to what course he ought to pursue, but ready to act with the utmost energy and promptitude when the time for action should arrive.
On board the Talisman, on the other hand, the young commander began to feel certain of his prize; and when he witnessed the scuffle on shore, the flight of the boat's crew with the three young people, and the subsequent events, he could not conceal a smile of triumph as he turned to Gascoyne and said: "Your men are strangely violent in their proceedings, sir, for the crew of a peaceable trader.

If it were not that they are pulling straight for your schooner, where, no doubt, they will be received with open arms, I would have fancied they had been part of the crew of that wonderful pirate, who seems to be able to change _color_ almost as quickly as he changes _position_." The allusion had no effect whatever on the imperturbable Gascoyne, on whose countenance good humor seemed to have been immovably enthroned; for the worse his case became, the more amiable and satisfied was his aspect.
"Surely, Captain Montague does not hold me responsible for the doings of my men in my absence," said he, calmly.

"I have already said that they are a wild set--not easily restrained even when I am present; and fond of getting into scrapes when they can.

You see, we have not a choice of men in these out-of-the-way parts of the world." "Apparently not," returned Montague; "but I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you order your men to be punished for their misdeeds; for, if not, I shall be under the necessity of punishing them for you.