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Show 182 THE LILY J.t."D THE TOTE:M, me and my comp:miuns to b:tni'lhmcnt. You have made us out· laws, and we nrc here! You sec around you none but those on whom you have exercised your tyranny. 'Yhat hope have you nt their hands and mine? Savage as you !Javc made me in aspect, what should prevent that I show mysdf equally &'l.vagc in performance. The knife is at your throat, and there is not one of us who is not willing to execute justice upon you. Arc you p1·cparcd to do what we demand?" "Whatisitf" "Read this paper." .A light was held close to the eyes of the prisoner, nod the paper pbced ncar cnourih for perusal. The instrument was n. commission of piracy-a sort of hn]f.Jcgal authority, common enough in that. day, to tlw marine of all European countries, under mn:dms of morality :ouch as mndc the deeds of Drake, and Hawkins, nnd other lll'itish admirals, worthy of all honor, which, in our less chivalric ern, would consign them very generally to the gallows. As L:mdonnierc perused the document, he strove to raise himself, as with a strong mO\'Cmcnt of aversion ;-but the prompt grasp of Gcuevois fastened him down to the pillow. "No mo,·emcnt 1 or this !"-showing the dagger. "Uavc you read?" "I will not sign that paper!" said the prisoner, hoarsely. "'Viii you not?" "Ne,'er!" " 'i ou h1wc heard the nlternative !" J..nudonn iere was silent. " You do not speak ! Bewnrc, RenC Laudonnicre. 'Ye have no t<Jnder mercies! 'y e arc no children ! W c are ready for nny crime. 'Ve ha,•e already incurred the worst pcnaltics1 and have THE SEDITTO:i .AT LA CAROLINE. 183 nothing to fear. Dut you can scrYc us, Ii,,ing, quite as effectually as if dead. " ' e do not want your miserable fortress. 'y c are not for founding colonies. It is your ships that we will take, nnd your commission. W c w~H spare your .li.fc ~~r these. llcware! L et your answer square with your ncccssihcs. "Ocnevois !"said the prisoner," even this shall be pardoned -you shall all be pardoned-if you will forego your present purpose." "Pshaw !" exclaimed the person addressed. "'fllis to me ! I scorn your pardon as I do your person! Speak to what concerns you, and what is left for you to do. Speak, and quickly, too, for the dawn must not find us here." u I \Villnot sign!" said the prisoner, doggedly. "'fbcn you die!" and the dagger was uplifted. "Strike-why do you stop?" exektimcd Fourncaux; "we can slay him, and forge the paper." ITis threatening looks and attitude, with the stern air which over~;prcad the visage of Ocncvois, and, indeed, of all around him contributed to overcome the resolution of the wretched commander. Besides, a. moment's reflection served to satisfy him, that the conspirators, having gone too far to recede, would not scruple at the furth er crime which they th~catcncd. "Will my life be spnrcd if I sign? Have I your oath, Stephen Lc Gcncvoi.s? I trust none other." "By G-d and the Blessed Saviour! as I hope to be s..wcd, Ren6 Laudonnicrc, you shalllmvc your life and freedom !" "Undo my hands and give me the paper." "The right hand only," said Fourncaux, with his accustomed timidity. |