Part 43 (2/2)
Gascoyne, who was amused in spite of himself by the manner of the man, merely smiled and awaited in silence the pleasure of his eccentric visitor.
d.i.c.k now set down the lantern, went to the door and returned with a coil of stout rope.
”You see,” observed the boatswain, as he busied himself in uncoiling and making a running noose on the rope, ”I'm ordered to prewent you from carryin' out your intentions--wotiver these may be--by puttin' a coil or two o' this here rope round you. Now, wot I've got to ask of you is-- Will ye submit peaceable like to have it done?”
”Surely this is heaping unnecessary indignity upon me?” exclaimed Gascoyne, flus.h.i.+ng crimson with anger.
”It _may_ be unnecessary, but it's got to be done,” returned d.i.c.k, with cool decision, as he placed the end of a knot between his powerful teeth, and drew it tight. ”Besides, Mister Gascoyne, a pirate must expect indignities to be heaped upon him. However, I'll heap as few as possible on ye in the discharge of my duty.”
Gascoyne had started to his feet, but he sat down abashed on being thus reminded of his deserts.
”True,” said he; ”true. I will submit.”
He added in his mind, ”I deserve this;” but nothing more escaped his lips, while he stood up and permitted the boatswain to pa.s.s the cord round his arms, and lash them firmly to his sides.
Having bound him in a peculiarly tight and nautical manner, d.i.c.k once more went to his accomplices at the door, and returned with a hammer and chisel, and a large stone. The latter he placed on the table, and, directing Gascoyne to raise his arms--which were not secured below the elbows--and place his manacles on the stone, he cut them asunder with a few powerful blows, and removed them.
”The darbies ain't o' no use, you see, as we ye got you all safe with the ropes. Now, Mister Gascoyne, I'm agoin' to heap one more indignity on ye. I'm sorry to do it, d'ye see; but I'm bound for to obey orders.
You'll be so good as to sit down on the bed, for I ain't quite so long as you--though I won't say that I'm not about as broad--and let me tie this napkin over yer mouth.”
”Why?” exclaimed Gascoyne, again starting and looking fiercely at the boatswain; ”this, at least, must be unnecessary. I have said that I am willing to submit quietly to whatever the law condemns me. You don't take me for a woman or a child, that will be apt to cry out when hurt?”
”Certainly not; but as I'm goin' to take ye away out o' this here limbo, it is needful that I should prewent you from lettin' people know that yer goin' on your travels; for I've heerd say there's some o' yer friends as is plottin' to help you to escape.”
”Have I not said already that I do not wish to escape, and therefore will not take advantage of any opportunity afforded me by my friends?-- Friends! I have no friends! Even those whom I thought were my friends have not been near my prison all this day.”
Gascoyne said this bitterly, and in great anger.
”Hus.h.!.+” exclaimed d.i.c.k; ”not quite so loud, mister pirate. You see there _is_ some reason in my puttin' this on your mouth. It'll be as well to let me do it quietly, else I'll have to get a little help.”
He pointed to the three stout men who stood motionless and silent in the dark recess.
”Oh, it was cowardly of you to bind my arms before you told me this,”
said Gascoyne, with flas.h.i.+ng eyes. ”If my hands were free now--”
He checked himself by a powerful effort, and crushed back the boastful defiance which rose to his lips.
”Now, I'll tell ye wot it is, Mister Gascoyne,” said d.i.c.k Price, ”I do believe yer not such a bad feller as they say ye are, an' I'm disposed to be marciful to ye. If ye'll give me your word of honour that you'll not holler out, and that you'll go with us peaceably, and do wot yer bid, I'll not trouble you with the napkin, nor bind ye up more than I've done already. But,” (here d.i.c.k spoke in tones that could not be misunderstood,) ”if ye won't give me that promise, I'll gag ye and bind ye neck and heels, and we'll carry ye out o' this shoulder high. Now, wot say ye to that?”
Gascoyne had calmed his feelings while the boatswain was speaking. He even smiled when he replied--”How can you ask me to give my word of honour? What honour has a pirate to boast of, think you?”
”Not much, pr'aps,” said d.i.c.k; ”howsomdever, I'll be content with wot's left of it; and if there ain't none, why, then, give us yer word. It'll do as well.”
”After all, it matters little what is done with me,” said Gascoyne, in a resigned voice. ”I am a fool to resist thus. You need not fear that I will offer any further resistance, my man. Do your duty, whitever that may be.”
”That won't do,” said d.i.c.k, stoutly; ”ye must promise not to holler out.”
”I promise,” said Gascoyne, sternly. ”Pray cease this trifling, and if it is not inconsistent with your duty, let me know where I am to be taken to.”
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