Part 53 (1/2)
He was considered dangerous, and had to be forced back into the prison inclosure.
The vessel set sail, and every day the captain taunted the prisoners with their captivity, and took every means to make them suffer.
Some days, when the weather was more than ordinarily oppressive, he would order that no water should be given, and as the food consisted of salt pork and bread, or s.h.i.+p's biscuit, it can be well imagined how much they all suffered.
After the vessel had been out twenty days one of the prisoners crawled up to Allen and whispered into his ear:
”Can we live much longer like this?”
”I am afraid not.”
”Then let us put an end to it.”
”How?”
”Will you agree to join us?”
”I cannot answer that until I know what is proposed.”
”If you do not want to join, you will not betray us?”
”What do you think of me? Have I ever been a sneak?”
”No, colonel, but the scheme is a desperate one.”
”What is it?”
”To seize the s.h.i.+p and then take her into port as a captured vessel.”
”How can it be done?”
”Jack--you know Jack, the one who brings us tobacco?”
”Yes; he is a kind-hearted Englishman.”
”He isn't English, he is Irish. Now, he will file off these handcuffs and give me the file. By working at every opportunity we can all be free in a few days; then all we have to do is to force our way out and seize the skipper. We will throw him overboard, and kill all who oppose us; then the s.h.i.+p will be ours and we can sell it and divide the prize money.”
”My good fellow, we cannot do it.”
”Why?”
”If we seized the s.h.i.+p we should have to sink it, for no one would purchase it. But I will not countenance murder.”
”It is not murder, it is war.”
”War is brutal, I know, but when it comes to seizing a captain on board his own vessel and killing him, that is not war, but murder, or piracy.”
”Well, you will not betray us?”
”No. Only give me a chance to fight openly and I will do so, but I will not kill a man in cold blood.”