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decided； for Peters； approaching him in a careless manner； as if
about to address him； seized him by the throat； and； before he could
utter a single cry； tossed him over the bulwarks。 He then called to
us； and we came up。 Our first precaution was to look about for
something with which to arm ourselves； and in doing this we had to
proceed with great care； for it was impossible to stand on deck an
instant without holding fast； and violent seas broke over the vessel
at every plunge forward。 It was indispensable； too； that we should be
quick in our operations； for every minute we expected the mate to be
up to set the pumps going； as it was evident the brig must be taking
in water very fast。 After searching about for some time； we could
find nothing more fit for our purpose than the two pump…handles； one
of which Augustus took； and I the other。 Having secured these； we
stripped off the shirt of the corpse and dropped the body overboard。
Peters and myself then went below； leaving Augustus to watch upon
deck； where he took his station just where Allen had been placed； and
with his back to the cabin companionway； so that； if any of the mates
gang should come up； he might suppose it was the watch。
As soon as I got below I commenced disguising myself so as to
represent the corpse of Rogers。 The shirt which we had taken from the
body aided us very much； for it was of singular form and character；
and easily recognizable… a kind of smock； which the deceased wore
over his other clothing。 It was a blue stockinett； with large white
stripes running across。 Having put this on； I proceeded to equip
myself with a false stomach； in imitation of the horrible deformity
of the swollen corpse。 This was soon effected by means of stuffing
with some bedclothes。 I then gave the same appearance to my hands by
drawing on a pair of white woollen mittens； and filling them in with
any kind of rags that offered themselves。 Peters then arranged my
face； first rubbing it well over with white chalk； and afterward
blotching it with blood； which he took from a cut in his finger。 The
streak across the eye was not forgotten and presented a most shocking
appearance。
~~~ End of Text of Chapter 7 ~~~
CHAPTER 8
AS I viewed myself in a fragment of looking…glass which hung up
in the cabin； and by the dim light of a kind of battle…lantern； I was
so impressed with a sense of vague awe at my appearance； and at the
recollection of the terrific reality which I was thus representing；
that I was seized with a violent tremour； and could scarcely summon
resolution to go on with my part。 It was necessary； however； to act
with decision； and Peters and myself went upon deck。
We there found everything safe； and； keeping close to the
bulwarks； the three of us crept to the cabin companion…way。 It was
only partially closed； precautions having been taken to prevent its
being suddenly pushed to from without； by means of placing billets of
wood on the upper step so as to interfere with the shutting。 We found
no difficulty in getting a full view of the interior of the cabin
through the cracks where the hinges were placed。 It now proved to
have been very fortunate for us that we had not attempted to take
them by surprise； for they were evidently on the alert。 Only one was
asleep； and he lying just at the foot of the companion…ladder； with a
musket by his side。 The rest were seated on several mattresses； which
had been taken from the berths and thrown on the floor。 They were
engaged in earnest conversation； and although they had been
carousing； as appeared from two empty jugs； with some tin tumblers
which lay about； they were not as much intoxicated as usual。 All had
knives； one or two of them pistols； and a great many muskets were
lying in a berth close at hand。
We listened to their conversation for some time before we could
make up our minds how to act； having as yet resolved on nothing
determinate； except that we would attempt to paralyze their
exertions； when we should attack them； by means of the apparition of
Rogers。 They were discussing their piratical plans； in which all we
could hear distinctly was； that they would unite with the crew of a
schooner _Hornet_； and； if possible； get the schooner herself into
their possession preparatory to some attempt on a large scale； the
particulars of which could not be made out by either of us。
One of the men spoke of Peters； when the mate replied to him in a
low voice which could not be distinguished； and afterward added more
loudly； that 〃he could not understand his being so much forward with
the captain's brat in the forecastle； and he thought the sooner both
of them were overboard the better。〃 To this no answer was made； but
we could easily perceive that the hint was well received by the whole
party； and more particularly by Jones。 At this period I was
excessively agitated； the more so as I could see that neither
Augustus nor Peters could determine how to act。 I made up my mind；
however； to sell my life as dearly as possible； and not to suffer
myself to be overcome by any feelings of trepidation。
The tremendous noise made by the roaring of the wind in the
rigging； and the washing of the sea over the deck； prevented us from
hearing what was said； except during momentary lulls。 In one of
these； we all distinctly heard the mate tell one of the men to 〃go
forward； have an eye upon them； for he wanted no such secret doings
on board the brig。〃 It was well for us that the pitching of the
vessel at this moment was so violent as to prevent this order from
being carried into instant execution。 The cook got up from his
mattress to go for us； when a tremendous lurch； which I thought would
carry away the masts； threw him headlong against one of the larboard
stateroom doors； bursting it open； and creating a good deal of other
confusion。 Luckily； neither of our party was thrown from his
position； and we had time to make a precipitate retreat to the
forecastle； and arrange a hurried plan of action before the messenger
made his appearance； or rather before he put his head out of the
companion…hatch； for he did not come on deck。 From this station he
could not notice the absence of Allen； and he accordingly bawled out；
as if to him； repeating the orders of the mate。 Peters cried out；
〃Ay； ay；〃 in a disguised voice； and the cook immediately went below；
without entertaining a suspicion that all was not right。
My two companions now proceeded boldly aft and down into the
cabin； Peters closing the door after him in the same manner he had
found it。 The mate received them with feigned cordiality； and told
Augustus that； since he had behaved himself so well of late； he might
take up his quarters in the cabin and be one of them for the future。
He then poured him out a tumbler half full of rum； and made him drink
it。 All this I saw and heard； for I followed my friends to the cabin
as soon as the door was shut； and took up my old point of
observation。 I had brought with me the two pump…handles； one of which
I secured near the companion…way； to be ready for use when required。
I now steadied myself as well as possible so