-rope, mate, and pull, men, pull, if you would save your liberty--
for these brutes have no mercy."

The sail was tightened up a few inches, and the vessel was put more
directly before the wind. The way in which the slaves bent to the oars
showed that the poor fellows fully understood the situation.

For a few minutes Captain Arkal watched the result in stern silence.
Then, with an unwonted look and tone of bitterness, he said in a low
voice--

"No--I thought as much. She sails faster than we do. Now, friend
Bladud, you shall presently have a chance of proving whether your royal
blood is better than that of other men."

To this remark the prince made no other reply than by a good-natured
smile as he took up the bronze helmet which lay beside his sword on the
thwart and placed it on his head.

Captain Arkal regarded him with a sort of grim satisfaction as he
followed up the action by buckling on his sword.

The sword in question was noteworthy. It was a single-handed weapon of
iron, made in Egypt, to suit the size and strength of its owner, and was
large enough to have served as a two-handed sword for most men.

"You can throw a javelin, no doubt?" asked the captain, as he watched
the young man's leisurely preparations for the expected combat.

"Yes, I have practised throwing the spear a good deal--both in peace and
war."

"Good. I have got one here that will suit you. It belonged to my
grandfather, who was a stout man, and made powerful play with it during
a neighbouring tribe's raid--when I was a baby--to the discomfort, I
have been told, and surprise of his foes. I always keep it by me for
luck, and have myself used it on occasion, though I prefer a lighter one
for ordinary use. Here it is--a pretty weapon," he continued, drawing a
javelin of gigantic proportions from under the gunwale and handing it to
Bladud. "But we must proceed with caution in this matter. Take off
your helmet at present, and try to look frightened if you can."

"I fear me that will be difficult, captain."

"Not in the least. Look here, nothing is easier when you get used to
it."

As he spoke Arkal caused his stern visage to relax into a look of such
amiable sheepishness that Bladud could not repress a sudden laugh which
recalled and intensified the captain's fierce expression instantly.

"Learn to subdue yourself, young man," he muttered sternly. "If these
pirates hear laughter, do you think they can be made to believe