Part 75 (2/2)

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

THE TIGHTENING OF THE CHAINS

There was soestive about the captain's behaviour to the two boys later on towards evening, when he ca down at them, where they sat in the sand He had said a feords to one of the men, ent up into the back of the cavern while the other waited; and Vince noted that there was a splashi+ng sound round the corner of the buttress which supported one side of the great arch, so that he was not surprised directly after to see the prow of a boat appear, to be run in and beached upon the sand

Vince looked up inquiringly when the s captain calared down, apparently with the idea that he was frightening the lads horribly Vince did not shrink, for he did not feel frightened, only troubled about home and the despondency there, as the time went by without news of their fate For it was evident to him that the tier to sail

The second man caht!” said the captain laconically

”You're not going to tie us?” said Vince, flushi+ng

”Yais, bose togezaire,” said the French the boy nant protest

”But if we say ill not try to escape?” cried Vince

”I vill not believes you _Non, ain Two slippery _garcons_ I tie you bose like ze mutton sheep, and zen if von shump to run avays he pull ze ozaire down _Vous co,” cried Vince contelishman would not be afraid of a boy”

”Vat!” cried the captain, showing his teeth, as he raised his hand to strike--when, quick as lightning, the boy threw himself into an attitude of defence; but the ed his arht, coward!” cried Vince, half mad noith excitement

At the word coward the captain's face looked black as night, his right-hand was thrust into his breast pocket, and he drew out and cocked a small pistol, while Mike darted to his companion's side, laid his hands across Vince's breast, and faced the captain; but he was seized by one of the men, who passed the line about his wrists after it had been dexterously fastened round those of his fellow-prisoner

”Never mind, Mike; but I like that, old chap!” cried Vince ”Well done!

Let's show hilish boys are like: he daren't shoot us Do you hear, Jacques? _vous n'oses pas_”

”Aha! You begin by stumble blunder bad French, you _canaille_ boy I not dare shoot you?”

”No,” said Vince defiantly, as the pistol was presented full at his face ”You dare not, you great coward!”

”Aha, _encore_? You call me coward, _une insulte! Mais bah_! It is only a silly boy Tie zeezaire, my lad, an trow zeo to be roace for dinnaire _Non, arretez_; stop, ise me”

”I won't,” said Vince sturdily: ”you are a coward to tie up two boys like this”

The black wrath in the Frenchman's face at these words made Mike shi+ver, and he pressed closer to Vince as the pistol was raised once : we are so helpless”

”Aha! I hear vat he say Yais, you apologise me, sare”

”I won't,” said Vince, ith nerves strung by the agony he felt at his wrists, which were being cut into by the cord, was ready to dare and say anything

”You vill not?” cried the captain, slowly uncocking the pistol, as his face resumed its ordinary aspect

”No, I--will--not!” cried Vince ”Put it away You dare not fire”