this!"

"Yes," answered the other, "and it can't be helped. You have your duty
to perform, and so have I. Do your worst!"

"But, BILLY, you were not always like this!"

"No, JACK, I was not. Once I used to prattle at my mother's knee. I
was beloved by my brothers and sisters, and I was the pride of the
nursery!"

And then the strong man broke down, and wept bitterly.

"But have you not fallen very low?" asked the British Captain, gently.

"Indeed I have! I am a thief, a liar, a scoundrel--and, in fact, a
blackguard!"

"With such surroundings," returned the Officer R.N., pointing to
the _debris_ of the pirate craft, "it is difficult to dispute your
contention. Indeed, you are a blackguard! But to what cause do you
owe your fall?"

"To my early training."

"I do not comprehend you. Your early training! Where were you
trained?"

"In the _Britannia_!"