“Don’t laugh,” she roared at the prisoner.
“Then help that pirate out of my sun helmet,” said Captain Flint.
Roger, the boy, had picked up the big sun helmet, and put it on, and the whole of his head was inside it. There was a moment’s pause while Mate Susan freed him from it.
“Would you mind putting it on my head,” said the prisoner. “A last wish, you know. My bald head can’t stand the sun.”
Mate Susan put it on for him, and the prisoner, wagging his head, shook it into place.
“Now, Captain John,” said Nancy. “We must consider his crimes. The worst is treachery. All this summer he has been in league with the natives.”
“Desertion,” said Peggy. “He deserted us.”
“He came to Wild Cat Island, and went into our camp when we were not there,” said Titty.
“He called Captain John a liar,” said Nancy.
“That was a mistake,” said Captain John hurriedly. “We’ve made peace over that.”
“We can let him off that, then,” said Captain Nancy. “But it doesn’t matter. His other crimes are quite enough. Hands up for making him walk the plank!”
Her hand and Peggy’s went up at once. So did Titty’s. So did Roger’s. John and Susan hesitated.
“Oh, look here,” said Nancy, “no weakening. It’s far too good a plank to waste.”