Part 60 (1/2)
He said these last words in a whisper, which sent a chill through the lads, for that he was serious there could be no doubt
By this time two men were down by the boat, that was now half in the water, which had risen till she was rocking sidewise to and fro; and sh the old fisher the boat out, and then sprang in
This was too much for Mike, who made a sudden dash after him
”Come on, Vince,” he cried; and the boy followed, but only to catch hold of his co to the bows of the boat
”Don't I don't do that, Mike,” cried Vince; ”you couldn't get away”
Three men who had rushed after them, and were about to seize the prisoners, refrained as soon as they saw Vince's action; and the boat with old Daygo on board glided out aht, round the left buttress of the cavern h: Mike turned furiously upon Vince and struck hi backward over the thick sand; and, unable to keep his balance, the lad ca position
”You coward!” cried Mike: ”if it hadn't been for you we ot away”
”Coward, a up and dashed at his assailant, with fists clenched and everything forgotten now but the blow He did not strike out, though, in return, for an arrowled out,--
”Are we to let 'eht have von leetle rights _Non, non, non_!
You do not vant to fight now, _s else to sink You feel like a big coward?”
”No, I don't,” said Vince, to whom the words were addressed: ”I'll let hio”
”_Non, non, non_!” said the captain, raising his hand to tug at one of the rings in his ears ”You do not vant to fight Let an to feel the muscles of Vince's arms, and nodded as if with satisfaction
”It seem a pity to finish off a boy like you I sink you vould laire on my sheep Perhaps I sall not kill you”
”Bah!” cried Vince, looking him full in the face ”Do you think I'htened by what you say?”
”Leetle schile? _Non, non Vous etes un brave garcon_--a big, brave boy Zere, you sall not fight like you _Anglais_ bouledogues, and vat you call ze game coq You _comprends, mon enfant_”
”Then you'd better take hiainst his co ”You sink I better tie you up like ze dogue But, faith of a man, you fly at von and anozaire I sall--”
He drew a snificant look,--
”Zere,” he continued, ”I sall not chain you bose up You can run about and help vis ze crew I only say to you ze passage is block up vis big stone, ze hole vere ze seal live is no good--ze rock hang over ze wrong vay You try to climb, and you are not ze leetler _mouche_--fly You fall and die; and if you essay to svim, ze sharp tide take you avay to drown Go and svim if you like: I sall not have ze pain to drown you
But, my faith! vy do I tell you all zis? You bose know zat you cannot get avay now ze passage is stop up vis stone, and I stop him vis a man who has sword and pistol as vell Go and help ze ether, carefully avoiding each other's eyes, as they felt that they were prisoners indeed, and wondered as to be their fate
Vince took a few turns up and down upon the sand with his hands deep in his pockets Mike seated hi he had occupied over his breakfast, for in their frao and help theof all seemed to be caused by the fact that, just at the moment when they wanted each other's help and counsel, with the strength of ether, they were separated by the unfortunate conduct of one
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
THE PIRATE CAPTAIN OF THEIR DREAMS