On gaining the deck, they were drawn up in line, and the captain and first lieutenant came up.

The good humour of the former had been restored by the capture of the lugger.
"Hallo!" he said, looking at the bandaged heads and arms of some of the men, "so you have been having a fight trying to run your cargo, I suppose.

That will make it all the worse for you, when you get on shore.

Now, I might press you all without giving you a choice, but I don't want unwilling hands, so I will leave it to you.

Which is it to be--an English prison for two or three years, or a cruise on board the Thetis ?" The greater part of the men at once stepped forward, and announced their willingness to volunteer.
"Who have we here," the captain asked, looking at the three countrymen.
"They are passengers, sir," the skipper of the lugger said, with a half smile.
A few questions brought to light the facts of the surprise while the cargo was being landed.
"Well, my lads," the captain said, "you are in the same boat with the rest.