Pulf, interfered—exclaiming with a loud voice, that they would give the rascal his choice either to join the band immediately, or to suffer death by one of the above-named processes.
The poor fellow eagerly availed himself of the opportunity of saving his life, and lost no time in accepting the most favourable proposal of the leader. Then the smugglers surrounded and led him before Pulf, who was seated on the only chair in the room; he mounted upon it, and from that elevation, delivered the following impressive charge to his newly-elected follower.
"Ave Maria! Thou, who callest thyself Martin Valio, late an officer in the service of our foolish and oppressive government, art now fully admitted a member of our band. Thou art bound to obey its laws, to execute its orders, to respect its interests, and to preserve its secrets. By night or by day, on sea or on shore, far away or near, thou wilt consider thyself amenable to this agreement, and serve us faithfully; or thy life shall answer it. If thou dost prove treacherous, our vengeance will overtake thee when thou dost least expect it: our emissaries will be ever near when thou
